06-25-1973 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council, but by the businessmen, citizens~ and taxpayers; that the downtown area was not dying -- that it was dead, and something had to be done; that the plan had the support of the majority of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Commission and the Project Area Committee; that there was a building located at 6th and Main Street that was being used as a warehouse; that it was necessary to dispel the fears of people in the fringes of the Project Area; that they were thinking that their house would be torn down; that eminent domain could be used and had been used in street widenings; that the people must be given the facts; that there were sources who were giving mislead- ing information, and putting fear into the people of being thrown out of their homes. Reverend Galal Gough, 2122 North Baker, stated that he was serving a church in the Project Area; that speaking on behalf of the Human Relations Commission, he was supporting the plan because they feel that a healthy downtown is essential to a healthy city; that they would like to see communities totally expanded to be more respon- sive; that the Human Relations Commission is~ advocating a truly comprehensive program geared to the needs of the commercial and residential areas, with particular attention given to the matter of relocation and resettlement assistance. Mr. Gene Hoggat, 2021 East Fourth Street, representing the Chamber of Commerce, read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce dated June 22, 1973. Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, 1125S Canton Drive, Studio City, stated that she Was a property owner of three Project Area parcels. She defended her building use, stating that it was not a "ware- house" and that the boarded-up door was ordered by the fire department; that her building was being rented by Milton Mann as part of his studio; and that she had served on the Master Plan Commission and other committees to work for the improvement of the downtown area. Mr. John MacDonald, Director of Legal Aid Society, 702 South Broadway, stated that there was not too much question about need for redevelopment in Santa Ana, but that his concern was the people issue and what would happen to the people who were forced to move from their homes; that his office had been invited to review the Redevelopment Plan with respect to relocation; that he had presented comments to the Project Area Committee because they had indicated that parts of the plan and report on reloca- tion were legally inadequate; that he had spent three hours with staff and Mr. McMichael trying to come up with a final draft; that the Legal Aid Society was not taking a position on the Redevelopment Plan; that he was not taking a position as to whether the Environmental Impact Report was adequate; but was only concerned with relocation; that residences were being included in the Project Area only to get tax base; that relocation assistance should be provided to all people who are moved out because of development, not just to the owners of the property, but to tenants as well; that there was nothing in the plan to protect people from being put under direct pressure which would result in their being forced to move and that the assistance omission was a serious oversight that Council should correct. The Mayor stated that the City did not intend to move anyone, but rather to start to redevelop the commercial areas of the City that are really run down. Mrs. Ruth M. Juhlin, 414 East Sixth Street, inquired about which map determined the Project Area -- the one she had received in the mail or the one shown at the hearing that evening. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 230 JUNE 25, 1973