Davis Signs Bill Intervening in Redlands Land Use Dispute

Gov. Gray Davis on Friday handed a group of landowners a “doughnut hole” on a platter.

The doughnut hole in question is not the fried variety but about 1,000 acres of aging orange groves surrounded by the city of Redlands. Landowners want to develop the land but had feared the city would squelch their plans.

Davis on Friday signed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Thomas Calderon (D-Montebello) authorizing San Bernardino County to provide water and sewer services to the unincorporated land, a key step for it to be developed.

Davis vetoed a nearly identical bill last year, warning at the time that unless the city and landowners reached an agreement he would sign a similar bill this year.

“Although the governor was hopeful that the city itself would come to an agreement with the property owners, I knew from dealing with the players there it wouldn’t happen,” Calderon said.

Redlands officials could not be reached for comment Friday. Critics have charged that the fight over the orange grove is reminiscent of local land use squabbles of the 1970s and 1980s when developers appealed to state legislators to settle disputes.

Legislative intervention in the controversy swirling around the doughnut hole has raised questions about the extent to which state lawmakers should get involved in local planning matters.

In the case of the doughnut hole, lawmakers’ involvement was sought by a group of landowners, including Los Angeles developer Ed Roski Jr. Roski’s Majestic Realty Co., is part of a partnership that is seeking to develop a shopping center on the site.

In his signing message, Davis said that while he does not favor state intervention in local land use decisions, “moving forward with the development of this property is critically important to job creation in the Inland Empire, particularly in light of the 10,000 jobs lost” because of the closure of nearby Norton Air Force Base.

Davis urged Redlands officials and the landowners to continue to try to resolve their differences.