BREA

The City Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to demand access to a private driveway for a downtown redevelopment area. The city had been in negotiations with Brea Gateway Center for the driveway, on the southwest corner of Birch Street and Brea Boulevard, but had been unable to reach an agreement. Access is necessary so trucks can pick up trash and deliver goods to the redevelopment site. Council members said, however, that they would consider revisiting the action if the driveway owners can negotiate a better deal with the city.

Councilman Steve Vargas cast the dissenting vote, saying that the city had a valid argument for the action, but that staff had presented some inaccurate information regarding police and fire access. That in turn cast doubt on the rest of the staff’s information about the proposal, he said. Information: (714) 671-4421.