Baldwin Park Puts 45-Day Ban on New Apartments

The City Council has imposed a 45-day moratorium on construction of apartment buildings, a move opposed by developers but hailed by residents and officials who say it is needed to prevent a strain on city services.

Council members said they will probably extend the moratorium for one year after holding a public hearing within 45 days. By that time, they said, an update of the city’s general plan will be completed. It will include an assessment of current zoning regulations and new construction standards for apartment buildings and condominiums.

“If we allow continued building, we’re really going to be in trouble,” Councilwoman Julia S. McNeill told a crowd of more than 100 that packed last week’s council meeting. “We’re in trouble now.”

In imposing the moratorium, this city of 60,000 joins a number of other San Gabriel Valley cities that have taken steps recently to limit or halt growth.

Population Lid

Alhambra has modified its general plan to reduce projected expansion of its population by 25%. South Pasadena has limited the number of new housing units to 60 a year. And several other cities, including Monterey Park, Rosemead, Pasadena and West Covina, have turned down proposals to build high-density projects or have downzoned areas to restrain condominium and apartment development.

The moratorium will halt plans for 42 multifamily projects that had not received building permits by 5 p.m. Aug. 5. These developments would have provided 641 housing units. Had they been approved, officials said, it would have been impossible for the city to provide adequate services for the people who would occupy them.

The city will refund fees to 15 developers who had reached the second stage of the permit process by Aug. 5. City planner Art Rangel said developers could accept refunds now or wait until the council votes on an extended moratorium.

Although residents spoke in favor of the moratorium, developers and their attorneys voiced disapproval, saying they did not receive any official warning and had no time to prepare arguments against it.

‘Entirely Unfair’

“We’re all here tonight because we found out accidentally,” said Robert E. Weiss, a Covina attorney representing a Baldwin Park builder. “There has not been Notice One given to anybody.”

He called the moratorium “entirely unfair and inequitable” because developers could lose the money they had already invested in projects.

Weiss said property values in the city have continued to rise “because developers have been willing to come into the city and take capital risks.”

A moratorium would be like “pulling the rug out from these developers,” said Weiss, who added that he owns property in Baldwin Park.

George Ting, a developer who had plans on the drawing board for six projects, said he would lose more than $35,000 in development and architectural fees if the council extended the moratorium. He also pointed to time wasted in revising construction plans and consulting with city planners.

“Naturally I feel like getting out of this city,” Ting said. “I regret I can’t get out sooner.

“I think a lot of my friends who are developers are thinking of getting out.”

Rangel and other staff members said the city could not support an influx of new residents because Baldwin Park is growing faster than anticipated.

They said that the city would be better served by single-family housing.

Residents such as Gail Zauss agreed, citing problems with existing apartment complexes. They complained that landlords and apartment managers have done a poor job of maintaining many complexes, which they say have become centers for violence, drugs and other crimes.

“I think the City of Baldwin Park has been raped by developers,” Zauss said. “I feel sorry for the people who have to live here.”

“We don’t need to increase our population,” said resident Ed Huetinck. “We need to take care of the ones we have.”

Concerning apartment dwellers, resident Pat Mower asked: “Where are you going to school them? Where are you going to let them play in the park? How are police going to protect them?”

John R. Gonzales said: “I’ve been here 24 years. I’ve seen a lot of improvements and developments. Where is it going to stop?”

Council members assured both residents and developers that the moratorium would not halt progress in Baldwin Park.

At last week’s meeting, the council also confirmed all actions taken by the two-member council from May 6 to July 15. The state Legislature enacted emergency legislation that allowed Councilmen Gibson and Bobbie Izell to act as a full council after the death of Councilman Robert H. McNeill and the recall of Councilman Leo W. King and Mayor Jack B. White.