CERRITOS : District Drops Plans to Fight Development
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ABC Unified District school board members have reversed their decision to fight a Costa Mesa developer’s proposed housing project on 13 acres the district owns near Whitney High School.
The $18-million project had stalled last month when the board deadlocked 3 to 3 on the developer’s proposed financial plan, which spelled out the district’s share of the profits. The developer, Warmington Homes, then filed a $2.5-million claim, accusing the district of reneging on the deal, which had been approved previously by the board and by the Cerritos City Council.
The board decided to consider the issue again Tuesday, and voted 6 to 1 to move forward with the project and to transfer ownership of the land to Warmington.
Board member Howard Kwon, who had originally opposed the deal, urged the board to reconsider the plan to avert a costly lawsuit.
“I don’t think we can afford to fight this kind of battle,” Kwon said. “Why fight the battle you have no chance to win?”
Board President Cecy Groom voted against the project, saying it did not offer enough financial benefits for the school district.
Warmington officials were not available for comment.
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