FULLERTON : Hearing Tonight on Redevelopment

The Redevelopment Department will hold a public hearing at tonight’s City Council meeting at which residents will be able to comment on “anything on redevelopment that anybody wants to talk about,” said Gary A. Chalupsky, redevelopment director.

The council also will elect a mayor and mayor pro tem. The positions are honorary, and terms are for one year. The mayor runs council meetings and represents Fullerton at inter-city meetings and many public events.

The council will also officially declare the results of the Nov. 3 election, in which incumbents Chris Norby and Don Bankhead won election along with newcomer Julie Sa. All three winners will be sworn in as council members tonight.

Chalupsky said the Redevelopment Department is required to hold a meeting solely for public comment once every two years. Chalupsky, who has been director of the agency for one year, said he thinks affordable housing could be a topic of discussion at tonight’s meeting.

Chalupsky said the agency is required by the state to find ways to provide affordable housing in Fullerton. He said the proposed development of the Allen Hotel and a senior housing project on East Amerige Avenue are two efforts to provide cheaper housing.

The agency funds its projects with money raised from property taxes within defined areas of the city. The money cannot be spent on simply running the city government but must be used to develop business or improve neighborhoods. Chalupsky said he and his staff will be at tonight’s meeting to answer questions about the use of redevelopment funds.

The agency has funded programs to renovate the Plummer Auditorium, open the former Maple Elementary School, landscape Vista Park and support the Fullerton Arboretum.