Pomona : Ganesha Hills Rezoned

In a move that will restrict development in Ganesha Hills, the City Council unanimously voted this week to double the minimum lot size in that area from 10,000 square feet to 20,000.

M. Margo Wheeler, community development director, said the change will reduce the number of lots that could be subdivided from 95 to 12.

Residents favoring the change said it will protect the area’s trees and wildlife from developers.

“I’d hate to see more homes,” Pamela Heintz said.

But resident Vladimir Budilo said that most of the area’s 236 lots are under 20,000 square feet and that it is unfair to require owners of the area’s remaining vacant land to keep their lots larger.

Wally Pearsall said the rezoning will reduce the value of his 33,000-square-foot lot by $30,000. “I can’t afford to have my property devalued,” he said.