Gonzales said he was also concerned that funding awarded by the city Redevelopment Agency to CEDC might be used by the developer to cover lawsuit costs in its suit against the city. “The previous City Council allocated $400,000 to a nonprofit for construction of housing,” and Gonzales said he wanted to know if the funds had been allocated.The money was given to CEDC, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.“They are suing the city and I would hate to see that they’re using it to sue us... I want a status on the money,” said Gonzales. He also asked that options for other uses be discussed, and if the city can reclaim the grant funding, which was specifically earmarked for the 150-unit Plaza Amistad project rejected by the Council in August.The Council will discuss the issue at the December 3 meeting.
Councilman asks that several issues related to CEDC be addressed
November 23, 2007
Santa Paula City Council
With the lawsuit filed against the city and Council by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation over the Council’s rejection of Plaza Amistad, a City Councilman wants several issues related to the affordable developer examined at a future meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWith the lawsuit filed against the city and Council by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation over the Council’s rejection of Plaza Amistad, a City Councilman wants several issues related to the affordable developer examined at a future meeting. Councilman Bob Gonzales made the request for the future agenda items at the November 19 meeting.Gonzales noted that earlier in the meeting, during discussion of the city’s General Plan Housing Element Update, Steve Smead had questioned a 35-unit apartment building being constructed on West Harvard Boulevard. Smead noted that a Conditional Use Permit for the project had initially been approved for a complex offering market-rate units.Since the sale of the apartment complex, proposed rentals had changed from market-rate to very low-income. Smead asked that the original approval of the CUP should be examined, and how it might relate to the changed planned use of the complex. CEDC subsequently purchased the project and will be renting the units to low-income households when the complex is completed.
