Way Cleared for Development of Right of Way

The way was cleared this week for building on the former Pacific Electric right of way, the one-time route of the famous “Red Cars.”

In a series of unanimous votes, the City Council this week voted to rezone 16.82 acres to allow construction on the strip. The most likely use would be commercial.

Currently the city is negotiating with the Orange County Transit District--which now owns the land--for purchase, and eventual sale to developers. The route, about 100 feet wide, cuts diagonally through the city from Stanton to Santa Ana and has been vacant since the 1970s.

In the past, some residents objected to the city’s plan for the land, which limits structures to no more than 20% of the area (the remainder would be landscaping or parking), claiming that it would block possible development of a light rail system through the city. But Monday night only one person raised concerns, wondering if the city wouldn’t have to pay for unforeseen costs later.

“I’d hate to see us sell it to developers and 10 to 15 years down the road have to buy it back and then pay relocation costs,” said Tom Petrosine, treasurer of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. He proposed that the city lease the land rather than sell it.

City Manager George Tindall replied that it was difficult to get financing for projects built on leased land and that a portion of the sale price of the right of way would be set aside for future relocation and demolition costs if a transit system is ever built there.

Tindall added that a surface-level system was not considered likely in any case. The Orange County Transit District “has indicated that it’s not feasible because of the many streets that it would intersect,” he said.