IRVINE ? About 20 acres of Irvine land near the Great Park is slated to become property of the Orange County Transportation Authority.
The 21.3-acre plot was set aside by the city in 2010 for future acquisition by the transportation agency in the terms of a collaborative effort to build an undercrossing at Sand Canyon Avenue and the Metrolink rail line.
That agreement, which went into effect June 11, 2010, pegged the purchase price at $14.15 million for four years, based on an appraisal done at the time.
In June, the transportation authority notified the city it wanted to buy the land and the City Council on Tuesday approved the sale with a 4-1 vote.
Under the agreement, the acreage, once part of the former El Toro Marine base, will be used as a rail yard or other transportation-related purpose.
The deal restricts the land?s lease or transfer without the city?s OK and gives Irvine the right of first refusal on the property if OCTA gets an offer from a prospective purchaser in the next 30 years. The city would have to match the offer..
Councilwoman Beth Krom opposed the sale, saying the city was selling the land too cheaply and that it could end up having to buy it back at a higher price in order to thwart an unwanted buyer.
However, Public Works Director Manuel Gomez said were another entity to purchase the land, its use would remain subject to the city?s zoning regulations, unless the City Council agreed to change the land?s zoning.
Krom said she was concerned a developer could influence a future City Council to change the land-use designation.
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lalloway, who was appointed this week as chairman of the OCTA board of directors, dismissed her objections, saying the council must have faith that their successors will also keep residents? best interests in mind.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-648227-land-transportation.html
The 21.3-acre plot was set aside by the city in 2010 for future acquisition by the transportation agency in the terms of a collaborative effort to build an undercrossing at Sand Canyon Avenue and the Metrolink rail line.
That agreement, which went into effect June 11, 2010, pegged the purchase price at $14.15 million for four years, based on an appraisal done at the time.
In June, the transportation authority notified the city it wanted to buy the land and the City Council on Tuesday approved the sale with a 4-1 vote.
Under the agreement, the acreage, once part of the former El Toro Marine base, will be used as a rail yard or other transportation-related purpose.
The deal restricts the land?s lease or transfer without the city?s OK and gives Irvine the right of first refusal on the property if OCTA gets an offer from a prospective purchaser in the next 30 years. The city would have to match the offer..
Councilwoman Beth Krom opposed the sale, saying the city was selling the land too cheaply and that it could end up having to buy it back at a higher price in order to thwart an unwanted buyer.
However, Public Works Director Manuel Gomez said were another entity to purchase the land, its use would remain subject to the city?s zoning regulations, unless the City Council agreed to change the land?s zoning.
Krom said she was concerned a developer could influence a future City Council to change the land-use designation.
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Lalloway, who was appointed this week as chairman of the OCTA board of directors, dismissed her objections, saying the council must have faith that their successors will also keep residents? best interests in mind.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-648227-land-transportation.html
