RDA hears plans for city development
Senior and luxury housing being considered
BY BOB SMITH
CALIFORNIA CITY - The city's redevelopment agency had a full platter at this week's meeting in the form of four projects either first coming to their attention or progressing towards fulfillment.
Best known is the Hyundai test facility which entered into a Owner Participation Agreement with the RDA to acquire about two and one half sections of land in the newly annexed land south of the city. The RDA agreed to acquire, either through direct negotiations or eminent domain if negotiations fail, the remaining property necessary to fill out the test track facility.
Hyundai has already acquired 85 percent of the land needed for the facility, and needs an additional 200 parcels, according to city manager Jack Stewart.
Later in the evening, city council approved an agreement between the city and the county board of supervisors in which the city will buy six parcels near the Hyundai facility which were to have been auctioned off for past due property taxes. The six parcels, covering about 25 acres, will cost the city $6,100.
New projects
Also before the board of directors Tuesday night were three new projects that may bring considerable development to the city. Friend's Tires, a well- established business in the city had been trying to develop a presence in the Aspen Mall but had been unable to come to an agreement with property owners. They were granted the right to negotiate with city staff for the possible purchase of seven acres at the intersection of California City Boulevard and South California City Boulevard, an area long known as Bishop's Hat.
If their plans come to fruition, that area, now only desert, will sprout an auto center which will contain a car sales outlet, tire sales, service station, fast food outlet and a diesel truck maintenance facility. The area is currently zoned for such a facility and is also included on the Villages General Plan. Senior housing
Also new to the city is the DECRO Corporation, one of the nation's largest provider of affordable senior citizen housing. This non-profit corporation is seeking to develop between 80 and 100 senior units, much like Desert Jade, along with a possible assisted living establishment. DECRO has already approached the East Kern Health Care District to seek ways in which mutual objectives can be met. DECRO was granted 180 days of exclusive right to between eight and 10 acres in the Villages behind the fire station and commercial area.
One of the items which will be necessary to get this project on its way is to declare the Weismann's in default on the agreement with the RDA to develop the Villages. Planning Director Jack Stewart briefed the RDA board Tuesday saying the Weismann's were in default on a performance basis and requested appropriate items be on the next agenda.
Finally, Frank Mirjani, a local resident, has placed an offer to the city for 13.14 acres of land east of the old Lakeshore hotel in which he hopes to locate as many as 120 luxury housing units which will have amenities including a spa and pool. Speaking to the board Tuesday, Mirjanie expressed his feelings that Cal City was ripe for this kind of development and felt that it would succeed.
The RDA meeting Tuesday began with an hour-long closed session which was scheduled to discuss the Mirjani offer, the Hyundai agreement and anticipated litigation. During staff reports, economic development specialist Kari Tapia briefed the board on two development companies representing grocery stores, one unnamed and nation chain, Save Mart, have approached the city to open discussions about possible stores in the city.
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