Residents against Measure A have provided this information so you can make an informed decision on this very important ballot measure.

Monterey Park voters determined in the 1980s that some developers over built our hometown with numerous condo projects that reduced our quality of life.  We voted in a law that the residents would have to approve any development on a parcel of land one acre or more in our hometown.

Olson Company, the developer, is paying for this Special Election on June 3rd to ask you, the voters, to change the zoning on this property.

2015 Potrero Grande is a 9.15-acre (398,574 square feet) property located in the southwest portion of the city.  It is presently zoned for commercial use and is occupied by a garden/nursery.  The area east of 2015 Potrero Grande is commercial with a shopping area that is comprised of a mom and pop gift shop, veterinarian, eatery etc.  The area north or behind the property is open space owned by Edison where huge high voltage electrical towers are located.  The area west of the site is a smaller open space followed by commercial properties where McCaslin Business Park (multiple offices) is located.  Across the street or south of 2015 Potrero Grande are Resurrection Cemetery and Edison offices.  Potrero Grande is a heavy traffic commercial (not residential) street.  It has 2 lanes traveling westbound and 2 lanes traveling eastbound with a center lane.

Olson Company would like to purchase the 9.15 acres (398,574 square feet) and covert it from commercial use to residential use so it can build 80 homes.  The zone change has to be presented to the voters because the property is greater than one acre.  2015 Potrero Grande must remain commercial.  Below are the reasons;

Monterey Park has very limited shopping centers.  2015 Potrero Grande is located in a commercial area.  Commercial use is the highest and best use for the site.  The area, street layout, traffic and nearby businesses were planned for commercial use.  If it is converted to residential/housing, it will be almost impossible to convert it back to commercial.  Are you willing to give up 398,574 square feet of shopping?

Olson will tell you that the project will create jobs.  Perhaps, but those jobs will be primarily construction jobs.  They will be short-term temporary jobs that will benefit Olson, not those that are unemployed in our community.  Commercial use such as a shopping center will also create construction jobs but more importantly, it will create long-term permanent jobs that our community needs.  Jobs in management, sales and servicing to name a few.  Do you know someone that is presently unemployed that needs a permanent long-term job?

Both projects, whether residential or commercial, will bring additional money to the city from property taxes and fees, but commercial will also bring sales tax revenue.  For example, according to a study in 2009, our city lost about $290,000,000 in taxable sales.  That means our city should have received sales tax revenue but did not because we could not find what we needed in Monterey Park.  We were forced to shop in other cities.  If you vote yes, you agree to give up 398,574 square feet of commercial space for shopping. If you vote yes, you agree to give up sales tax revenue for our city and agree to hand that money to our neighboring cities.   Remember, your vote will have a long-term financial impact in our city.

Marketability:  Ask yourself, would you pay $500,000 for a new home that is located across the street from a cemetery? Would you pay $500,000 for a new home where high voltage electrical towers stand behind your backyard?  Based on your answer, what is the likelihood that these homes will sell?   If these homes do not sell and their prices drop, what effect will that have on the value of your home?

Marketplace:  Marketplace IS moving forward.   The Home Depot and In-N-Out Burgers signed their leases. Their plans were approved by the city’s Design Review Board and Planning Commission.  According to our city manager, the Marketplace developers will close escrow before fall of this year.  Once it is completed it will draw consumers. This will undoubtedly increase the commercial value and commercial demand of the Potrero Grande properties. Council constantly hears the complaint that we do not have anywhere to shop.  We finally have the opportunity to revitalize the business corridor on Potrero Grande.  Let’s keep our shopping areas.

Endorsements: Do not be persuaded by endorsements.  Do your own homework before you vote and visit the site. Ask yourself: am I willing to buy a home at 2015 Potrero Grande?

Final Point:  We need developments that generate money to provide services for those presently living in Monterey Park.  Currently we are not building more schools, fire stations, libraries or service centers, so how can we sustain an additional 80 homes? Isn’t it time that developers build what we presently need and not what they want?

Please vote NO on Measure A on June 3rd!