BREA : Council Approves Downtown Revamp

After nearly four hours of discussion, the City Council late Tuesday night agreed to revamp downtown Brea, bringing to an end years of speculation and controversy surrounding the historic area.

The revitalization will cost the private developer, the Watt Co., more than $50 million, and the city will contribute an additional $30 million.

The project’s fate was left up to only three board members after Councilmen Ron Isles and Carrey J. Nelson bowed out of the discussion because of potential conflicts of interest.

Isles excused himself from the meeting because his business partner, Don McBride, owns property near the redevelopment site. Under state law, public officials are not allowed to vote on issues that could financially benefit them.

Nelson, who was out of town, also did not vote. However, City Atty. James Markman said that Nelson also would have abstained because he owns a piece of property just 298 feet away from the main shopping center.

“Out of an abundance of caution I advised him not to participate,” Markman said.

Despite the missing votes, the project was able to muster enough support from the remaining members, Glenn G. Parker, Burnie Dunlap and Mayor Wayne D. Wedin. They unanimously approved the sweeping proposal to redo 50 acres near the intersection of Imperial Highway and Brea Boulevard.

Parker said it was a difficult decision that almost gave him an ulcer. “But I think this is something we have to do for the betterment of the community,” Parker said before giving his approval. “It is time we move forward and I am prepared to do that.”

To rejuvenate the downtown area, the council approved three plans that include commercial and residential projects. The central point will be an entertainment-oriented Town Square featuring European-style eateries, artists’ lofts and a theater. A complex of 146 town houses and a 22-acre neighborhood shopping area were also approved.

During the meeting, several questions were raised about the financial status of the Watt Co., prompted by reports that Watt had bowed out of at least one other large-scale deal.

However, Watt President John Hunter assured the residents and council members that the project would be completed, “in spite of a difficult economy.”

Only a handful of people, half for and half against it, spoke during more than an hour of public comment. Business owners led the opposition, saying they were being edged out by larger companies.

“Redevelopment needs to be reserved for very special circumstances,” said William Vega, a staunch opponent who has been fighting the city for more than a year to help his mother maintain her downtown properties. “I don’t think these are the circumstances.”

Representatives of the Brea Chamber of Commerce and the Brea Mall gave their support to the new downtown. “The chamber believes the agreement before you is in the best interest of the chamber and the community,” said Bill Murray, chamber spokesperson.

To ease the small business owners’ concerns, council members said they would try to help them maintain their livelihoods. However, those at the meeting remained skeptical.

“I think if you talk to every individual business owner, they will tell you the city did the minimum,” said Dennis Dean, who led an unsuccessful recall effort against three of the council members over the redevelopment plan.

Dean said he was not surprised by the outcome. “How would I not expect it? The (city’s) ‘for lease’ signs went up a month ago.”