WESTMINSTER : Battle to Prevent Development Lost
Residents of a Westminster neighborhood have lost their 15-year battle to prevent a three-acre site near their homes from being rezoned for commercial development.
The City Council has approved a zone change for the land at 10161 Bolsa Ave., north of Brookhurst Street, which will allow owner Russell Investments to build offices.
Residents say they are concerned about increased traffic and a loss of privacy.
“I’m very concerned about property values in our area going down,” said Iris Hand, who lives on nearby Hope Street. “We’re creating a ghetto. We don’t need more businesses on Bolsa; there’s too many there already.”
Phillip Anthony, a partner in Russell Investments, said the company wants to work with neighbors to create a plan agreeable to everyone.
“We do recognize that it’s a sensitive piece of property,” he said. “We would like to bring back a plan that would satisfactorily protect the residential property in that area. I think their ideas will be invaluable in helping us to design a good project.”
Forty-one residents had signed a petition opposing the change from residential zoning to commercial.
Neighbor Iva Roberts, who had fought the change along with her neighbors, said they are now willing to work with Russell Investments.
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