Downey : Plan for Second Phase of Industrial Park Approved

The Downey City Council on Tuesday approved a development plan for the second part of the county’s light industrial park on Rancho Los Amigos property.

The council voted unanimously after county Supervisor Pete Schabarum showed up at the meeting and told the council that the park presents a “win-win situation.” Councilwoman Diane P. Boggs was absent.

The county intends to offer 66-year leases, which are expected to generate an estimated $1.3 billion in rent to the county and an estimated $32 million in property and sale taxes to the city, an official said.

The plan approved Tuesday sets planning and development standards for the second phase of the four-phase park, said Ken Farfsing, Downey director of community development. As planned, 501,000 square feet of industrial buildings will be constructed on nearly 29 acres in Phase II. County officials have said they hope to complete the park by the year 2004.

The entire Rancho Business Center will encompass more than 120 acres bounded by Imperial Highway on the north, Gardendale Street on the south, Garfield Avenue on the west and Rives Avenue on the east.

City officials and residents were most concerned about extra traffic to be generated by the project and what would happen to the more than 1,000 trees on the site. Downey officials have recommended that a detailed tree preservation plan be developed so as many of the trees as possible can be saved.