Fullerton : Potter Forced to Move Asks for More Money

A Fullerton potter who was forced to move from his home and business of 15 years when the city took over the property received almost $41,000 in relocation money this week.

But the $25,985 approved by the city for moving expenses, with an additional $15,000 for other reimbursements, is not enough, James Kachler said.

Kachler’s attorney, Gregory Hile, said Kachler will appeal the City Council’s decision and request $54,425 for moving expenses instead of the $25,985 city officials agreed Tuesday to pay him. In the meantime, most of Kachler’s equipment is in storage in La Habra because he could not afford to pay for the move to Carmel Valley, where he is relocating his business, Hile said Friday.

When council members agreed to take the property through its power of eminent domain, they obtained their own moving bids for Kachler. The $25,985 bid was too low, Kachler complained, and came with no guarantee that Kachler’s equipment and art would arrive safely in the Carmel Valley. Of three moving appraisals Kachler got on his own, the $54,425 was the lowest, Hile said. Should the council deny Kachler’s appeal for the full $54,425, Hile said he will pursue the claim through litigation.

The city took over the property on South Pomona Avenue despite the objections of Kachler, his landlord and the owners of two other homes on the site. The residents argued that the building had historical value because Leo Fender once built his now-famous electric guitars there.

The city’s Redevelopment Agency plans to build a parking garage on the property.