WESTMINSTER : Parking Lot Plan Approved by Council

Despite an earlier rejection by the Planning Commission, the City Council has approved a proposal to pave three vacant lots for parking spaces next to a health club on Sowell Street.

Rodeffer Investments of Fountain Valley, which leases the land to L.A. Fitness of Diamond Bar, bought three of four adjacent lots for expanded parking more than two years ago. Rodeffer has been trying to buy the fourth parcel from Ken and Vicki Piety, but the Pietys have refused to sell.

The Planning Commission recommended against the new driveways and expanded parking because of increased traffic and noise in the area and their effect on the Pietys, Planning Commissioner Ed Merrill said.

“(The Pietys) have a right to keep their house the way it is and not to sell it,” Merrill said. “We think that adding parking will increase noise and traffic to them and to other residents.”

The 3-2 vote allows Rodeffer to add about 43 parking spaces to the land next to the health club. Rodeffer spokesman Myrle Holloway said that increased parking spaces means cars normally parked on the street will instead park on the company’s property.

“It will alleviate the parking problem,” Holloway said. He also said Rodeffer will build a nine-foot-high wall with landscaping between the parking area and the Pietys’ property.

The other three lots Rodeffer purchased contained houses which were demolished in 1989 so the club could build parking spaces.

Councilwoman Joy L. Neugebauer, who voted against the proposal with Councilwoman Lyn Gillespie, said she did not disagree with increased parking but with the location of the entrances and exits on the lot, which she felt would be disruptive to the Pietys and to the neighborhood. She said the parking lot plan needed more study.

Mayor Charles V. Smith, Councilmen Frank Fry Jr. and Craig Schweisinger voted for the measure, saying it would help stop health club members’ cars from cluttering up neighborhood streets.