STANTON : Redevelopment Amendment OKd

Despite harsh criticism from some property owners and the Garden Grove Unified School District, the City Council this week gave preliminary approval to an amendment that would add 260 parcels to the city’s redevelopment plan.

The council is expected to formally adopt the redevelopment amendment July 14. It designates 145 acres of mostly commercial and industrial property along Beach Boulevard for redevelopment money and improvements.

If approved, the amendment will be the second addition to the redevelopment plan, which was originally adopted in 1983.

Although supported by the Greater Stanton Chamber of Commerce and several community college districts, the latest amendment triggered some opposition.

Eight property owners whose land is designated to be included in the redevelopment area argued that the planned infrastructure improvements are not detailed. They also expressed fear that the city would use its eminent domain power to seize their properties.

City officials said they cannot specify the improvements that will be made because future needs are hard to predict in the 45-year redevelopment plan.

The city has not exercised eminent domain in nine years of redevelopment, said Paul Gerola, redevelopment coordinator.

The Garden Grove Unified School District also opposed the latest amendment, arguing that it will hurt the district financially. District representative Marshall Krupp told the council that redevelopment would bring more students to schools in the district, which extends into Stanton, without providing enough money to accommodate increased enrollment.

Under state law, the city must meet with other public agencies that receive tax revenue to determine if redevelopment will financially burden the other revenue beneficiaries. City officials acknowledged that enlarging its redevelopment area may impact local agencies and has successfully negotiated agreements to pay some of the revenue from tax increases to the county and the Anaheim Union, Magnolia and Savanna school districts.

Garden Grove school district officials, however, say they feel the city’s offer is not enough to alleviate the burden on the district. The city has not proven the need to expand the redevelopment area, Krupp said, adding that the school district was not properly notified about the amendment.

City officials countered that only 30 to 40 commercial and industrial parcels will be within the Garden Grove school district’s boundaries and, contrary to what the district believes, will not generate hundreds of new students.