Whether or not we all agree that the Renaissance Plan is the answer to Santa Ana, James Howard Kunstler speaks some hard truths in this video that hit very close to home.
A thanks goes out to "Ted" who posted this link as a comment in the previous post. I think that this is a message that should be seen by all.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The (Potential) Tragedy of Santa Ana
Filed Under:
Developments
,
Mass Transit
,
Renaissance Project
,
Santa Ana
,
The Good
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19 comments :
F YEAH, this is brilliant. Can we get him to come down and speak?
Haha. I used to live in Boston and that city hall place was pretty lame. It's mostly used as a playground for skateboarders and urban trials riders. Though funny enough across the street from that rear view is Faneuil Hall, which is one of the most popular areas, much like that first outside market he mentioned right before that.
-SAS
We like the concept..agree with the needs of future generations.
We are opposed to the way the RSP has been presented. Why does the taking of property & business have to be a factor? Progress is great ..just don't try to shove it down our throats. We are citizens and we have just as much right to be here as you do. In fact we are not transplants..we were born and raised in this city.There has got to be a compromise.
Who are the "we" you are referring to?
Where exactly in the Renaissance Plan does it say to take businesses and homes? No one has been forced out, have they? Everyone who has left, sold their properties to the city.
Eminent domain is not and will not happen.
The problem I have with the RP is that it might be too strict in what can be built and where, thus delaying progress more than advancing it.
Having a huge master plan takes away from the organic nature of true urban sprawls and creates a monstrosity worthy of the Irvine Company.
Thw "we" are the citizens that live and work within the RSP.
Look carefully atchapter 4. It clearly states taht all non -conforming must be up to code within 2 years. They fail to mention that when the public questions the ramifications of "non-conforming".
What makes you so sure that they will not use eminent domain? How do you think they are going to make the proposed sidewalks and additional lanes?
Where Can I read the actual text of the RSP?
Does it even exist on paper yet?
Or is it just a buzz phrase?
This city loves its catchy phrases...
It just tends to fall short on following through.
I don't much like corporate welfare
but attracting the right kinds of business in the usual way would suck- Its pretty clear though that a downtown wont spring up "organically". I say clear the land- and write the new code to say that anything built must conform to "mainstreet USA" style buildings... And then let them come. And let the free market do the rest.
If you own land already... your in luck. Because it'll be worth more.
Never mind I found it.
Here it is in all its glory.
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pba/planning/Renaissance_Specific_Plan.asp
Will the City be buying any properties using “eminent domain”?
No. The Redevelopment Agency does have several offers pending for properties within the general area of the previously purchased properties, but all sales would be purely voluntary.
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pba/planning/documents/SARSP-FAQs_Redevelopment.pdf
Do you really believe that statement?
What happens when all the industrial becomes "non-conforming"?
Why would all those homeowners sell??
Perhaps they were provided information that made them realize that they could nolonger fight the "Big Machine"?
Who are others to say our land would be worth more? You can not know what a familys business is worth to them. Money and development is not what drives everyone. And if you were faced with what property owners are faced with ...you might be whistling a very differant tune!While you are on the city site print ALL the documents and read between the lines..you may be very very surprised.Read it Know it understand it and then post.
Do you really believe that statement?
What happens when all the industrial becomes "non-conforming"?
Why would all those homeowners sell??
Perhaps they were provided information that made them realize that they could nolonger fight the "Big Machine"?
Who are others to say our land would be worth more? You can not know what a familys business is worth to them. Money and development is not what drives everyone. And if you were faced with what property owners are faced with ...you might be whistling a very differant tune!While you are on the city site print ALL the documents and read between the lines..you may be very very surprised.Read it Know it understand it and then post.
Fact: There are NO protections in the RSP which would prohibit the CITY from using "eminent domain" to take private property and give it to a developer.
The Redevopment Agency is a legally separate identity from the CITY.
This is a clever trick by the CITY; amounting to an outright deception and LIE !!
The city needs no tricks.
If it would simply enforce
the codes
it already has on the books,
than most of the owners who
haven't sold yet would have to
go anyway. The city is doing
this the nice way...
not the easy way.
The thing that gets me is these
high density crackerjack box
apartments right in the middle
of everything...
are those coming down?
Because those are whats in the
way now- thats where the crime comes from.
and I'm sure the folks
that own those have enough cash
to screw up the plan if they
want to...
And while I'm on the subject,
Who ARE these people that
think the RSP is gonna take
their houses?
Are they folks renting apartments?
If so, their opinions don't really matter... Sounds bad, but its true... only the person or company that owns the land is in a position to do anything other than argue and waste time.
two fisted mama:
Code enfocement won't do any good.
Businesses which the city wants to run out of town are operating as conforming according to the code in effect at the time the improvements were established.
Nothing to enforce - they are "legal nonconforming" according to SA Muni Code.
Mose,
How does that happen?
Those places are rat traps!
We need something like the RSP,
I just hope it doesn't
get mucked up with so much
compromise that everybody loses.
(which is what so often happens in politics)
two fisted mama:
they are not all rat traps - as the RSP stands now, the city will throw out the good businesses with the bad.
i don't think that you signed up to live in irvine type condo heaven - this can be worked out.
or perhaps "two fisted mama" would prefer to duke it out - we could put the gloves on at santa ana boxing club, 4th st.
just kidding - i think that you may be too tough for me.
After hearing the valid concerns of the industrial owners last night (very nice folks, btw), I too believe that an overlay is a must.
I moved here because of the flavor that these industrial businesses bring–not to force them out. Hell, I'm trying to harden up my "soft-loft" with industrial accents.
The city has it all wrong if they think that kicking out the industrial businesses is what we want.
My buddy Thomas Gordon suggested that the loft and industrial owners should collectively speak to Trevino and Co. about a peaceful co-existence.
I strongly agree.
My babies don't need to be
growin up with all that garbage
mess from that Dump.
That place been polluting and
wrecking the streets down here
for years.
And even if she wasnt,
that shit dont got no kinda
place in a neighborhood with
with my babies living in it.
Id rather get rid of all y'all
than let that rich bitch stay.
Yeah, I know about her.
If the city wants to let us pick
and choose, then Id probably
vote to let most them nasty
business's stay I guess.
But not that nasty ass Ware bitch,
and not nothing on Santa Ana Blvd
neither.
If y'all on Santa Ana Blvd than
y'alls shit has got to move.
Simple as that.
Theres a brighter day coming
to this hood and I aint gonna let
no greedy ass white men or no
scared ass mexicans
fuck it up. I been waiting too
long for this city to finally do
something. Its the biggest city
around. Got nothing but money.
And you telling me that they cant
build a decent downtown on account
of some folks who ought not have
been allowed to set up shop in
the first place?
To two fisted mama...
I want those lousy no good stinkin' s.o.b.'s out too!
All the city has to do is follow through on each and every code violation.
If that don't work for you I'll meet you at S.A. boxing club.
regards Mose
You crazy Mose!
but I like that.
Looks to me like both
of us on the same team.
But you can meet my
oldest boy if you like.
But I'm afraid that
I am just too much of a lady
to go boxing strange men
in public.
Anyhow, I know you dont want
nobody seeing a middle aged
black woman beating your silly ass.
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