ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Brea Moves Ahead on Relocation Plan

Brea has had more than its share of dislocation in the last year. People in downtown businesses have quarreled with the city over relocation plans associated with redevelopment. And Mayor Ronald E. Isles was packing after resigning in October following his plea bargain with local prosecutors on conflict-of-interest charges. In June, the Fair Political Practices Commission reopened its investigation of Councilman Wayne D. Wedin’s relationship with an engineering firm that he championed for city business.

Brea is a city in transition, and some have an uneasy feeling that nobody is really sure where the moving van is headed. But now, at least, the contention over redevelopment appears closer to resolution. In tough times, give thanks for small victories.

In June, a dispute with a coalition of business owners ended up putting construction work and property acquisitions on hold in the city’s ambitious redevelopment plans. A lawsuit charged that the approach violated state law. In July, a Superior Court judge ordered the city to create what it should have had all along, a relocation plan. The city subsequently complied with that order, and the project was able to resume early last month. At that time, the city agreed to pay $50,000 in attorney fees to the coalition.

Now a new relocation package provides each displaced business with $10,000, as required by state law. The money can be used for moving, advertising, attorney fees and consulting costs. Also, each business will get $20,000 to be used for rent over a two-year period.

In paying for lawyers, appraisers, brokers and relocation consultants, the city is taking steps to bury ill will. In all, the relocation will cost remaining residents and businesses more than $1 million.

As it stands, 11 homes and eight businesses have not been relocated in the Brea Redevelopment Agency’s attempts to acquire remaining parcels in the 50-acre project area. By providing those affected with $10,000 each, in addition to a contribution for rent, the city is healing some of the wounds.

The city has argued that no one was shortchanged during the delay and that relocation benefits were available all along. That may be debatable.

But the city, by creating a relocation plan and submitting it, as required, for review by the state Department of Housing and Community Development, is at least getting out the road map to get back on track.