GARDEN GROVE : Development Panel to Be Picked Tonight

Residents, business owners and tenants in Garden Grove tonight will elect the members of a committee charged with studying possible changes in the city’s redevelopment project.

At the direction of the City Council, the 13-member Project Area Committee will consider whether to amend the boundaries and debt limits of the redevelopment area and come up with a 40-year plan for its future, according to Community Development Director Gregory Devoreaux.

In redevelopment projects, deteriorated or blighted areas are designated as project sites and bonds are sold to pay for capital improvements. If the taxable value of the property increases, the additional revenue goes to the city’s redevelopment agency to repay the bond debt.

Redevelopment by the Garden Grove Agency for Community Development started in 1972. Since then, several project areas have been consolidated into one that encompasses 1,107 acres in commercial and industrial areas scattered around the city. Properties have been added and deleted since 1972.

At issue now are 563 acres of primarily commercial and industrial property that may be included, Devoreaux said.

About a month ago, the city mailed out 8,000 notices to property owners and tenants in the existing redevelopment area and those areas proposed for inclusion. More than 100 people attended an information meeting last week and most spoke in favor of possible changes, Devoreaux said.

The city has received 38 applications for membership on the committee, Devoreaux said. Those who attend the meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the city’s Community Meeting Center will elect the members, who will represent tenants and owners of residential and business properties as well as community organizations.

The committee is expected to vote on a new redevelopment plan by June with the council acting on it in July, Devoreaux said.