BREA : Contamination Will Delay Street Work

Underground contamination at three gas stations will delay plans to widen South Brea Boulevard indefinitely, city officials said.

City Atty. Elliot Goldman said that the city cannot legally begin the street widening until the contamination, caused by leakage from tanks, has been removed.

The city, Goldman said, has “obtained orders for possession” of the gas stations’ properties. The stations, however, continue to operate through an agreement with the city, he said.

Removing the contamination is the responsibility of the station operators, he said, who “have been very cooperative to date.”

The gas stations, at or near the intersection of Brea Boulevard and Imperial Highway, include a Chevron, a Circle K and a Shell station.

Meanwhile, the street-widening project was also the subject of a Superior Court decision last week.

Judge William F. Rylaarsdam ruled that the city may use portions of private property needed for the widening, but no more.

The city had argued that taking only the part of the land needed for the widening project would leave the owners with unprofitable pieces of land.

Property owner Marina Vega, who owns the properties at 224-228 S. Brea Blvd., will lose 14% of her land to the street widening.

Al and Bonnie Harris, who own land across the street at 221 S. Brea Blvd, are also fighting the city’s right to take their property for the street widening through eminent domain.