Perez said that the change centered on units to be occupied by the plaza’s manager and maintenance person and that “all the units will remain regulated and reserved” for residents meeting income guidelines.“I’ve been familiar with the project for a long time and participated in the charrette,” said Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre. “...it really sets a standard for projects in the county. To me the change is ministerial” as the total number of units is set.“I was involved” in the charrette process representing the police department said Councilman Bob Gonzales, the former police chief. “Unfortunately, it was a long time ago,” although Gonzales said that he and Councilman Ralph Fernandez have toured existing CEDC complexes.Gonzales said he would not support the amendment as “I’m simply not familiar enough with the project...”“I have a concern, this number of homes seems very high for this location,” and Fernandez questioned whether or not an Environmental Impact Report had been prepared to show affects of traffic among others.“I’m concerned...I want significant green space for kids to play and I want to make sure that the benefit to the community is long term, not have a problem with over-population” and density he added.Vice Mayor John Procter said that the Council was only considering a funding issue and City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz noted that the city is in the “last stages” of preparing project reports including the EIR.“I imagine this will be back before the Council” in the next 60 days Bobkiewicz said.Mayor Ray Luna, Fernandez and Gonzales rejected the funding amendment that was supported by Aguirre and Procter.
Council rejects adopting amended agreement for CEDC’s Plaza Amistad
March 30, 2007
Santa Paula City Council
The City Council rejected adopting an amended agreement with an affordable housing agency at the March 12 meeting with several Councilmen signaling that they already have problems with the proposed development.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council rejected adopting an amended agreement with an affordable housing agency at the March 12 meeting with several Councilmen signaling that they already have problems with the proposed development.Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation had garnered $400,000 in Redevelopment Agency housing funds last year for Plaza Amistad to be built on the six-acre site formerly owned by Solo Cup.The $47.5 million project is planned to be a three-story complex with 151 for sale condominium units and deed restricted rental apartments.Initially CEDC had proposed 11 low-income and 76 very-low-income apartments, but new plans call for 33 low-income and 51 very-low-income units.Amistad Project Director Bernardo Perez said that 38 of the rental apartments would be reserved for farmworkers and that the complex will include a community center, childcare facility and Tot Lot.The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the proposed project on April 24 noted Perez.Although the development “essentially remains the same” a clerical error on the number of deed restricted units’ needs correction said Perez.Mayor Ray Luna questioned the move noting that the number of such units would be lessened.“That concerns me,” he said.
