Monday, July 16, 2012

Why I support the Pomona Valley Transfer Station project

After reviewing the EIR, the numerous staff reports, and paging through public comment at the Planning Commission hearings, I've come to the conclusion that the Pomona Valley Transfer Station should be approved, with additional conditions. It seems that the IESC, one of the main organizers against the trash station, have also decided to make demands rather than killing the project altogether.

With the owner of PVTS also owning rights to the First Street Direct Transfer Station, this transfer station - which actually is directly across the street and railroad tracks from a school (rather than being over 2/3 of a mile away) - should close as soon as PVTS opens. Other conditions that should be imposed beyond the list of items in the staff report include extending the designated community liaison for construction issues to a permanent position for the life of the project, offering temporary relocation to the three residences which will have noise exceeding environmental limits during construction, posting signage at the station for a direct hotline to the City of Pomona for any issues related to transfer station operation, and expediting enforcement of violations of the conditional use permit to avoid the situation that happened with Angelo's Pizzeria. As the newspaper notes, PVTS will generate over a million dollars in revenue when opened. That's money that we need to keep services open. Utility taxes were on the ballot in the past and failed miserably, so it is clear that the only way we can attain more revenue is to attract more businesses. After thousands of dollars in effort in preparing environmental documents and plans, rejection of this project would send a bad message to future Pomona developers.

Overall, I am hopeful that this project will now not have to go into litigation, which would just paralyze the community again. I am hopeful that the City Council will follow the statutory requirements, hear all public comment, and come a decision based on the evidence before it. I expect a 4-2 vote to approve. See you all tomorrow.

6 comments:

TJ said...

Well its over! The 4-2 vote was the final verdict. The shameful conduct of some of the opponents gives Pomona a bit of a black eye, but the project itself will be a plus for Pomona. Because I was there last night, I got to watch all of the theatrics in person. Mr Rodriguez ran an exceptionally tight meeting, contrary to what Mr Rothman's circus type meetings usually become. It was obvious, however that Freddy's opposition to the project was scripted; it looked like even he was embarrassed by some of his conclusions. What, a million dollars is just chump change? In a city grasping for any kind of revenue? Denying that there is a transfer station in Beverly Hills? Is the mayoral election so important that the councilman lately has been pontificating way too much, cowtowing to political interests in the name of being a "man" of the people instead of a person who truly understands the fix Pomona is in financially and leadership-wise. I like you Freddy, I really do. Don't become another "Pomona Politician" like so many others we have had!

Anonymous said...

Freddie over Elliot any day because at this point we need a leader who can at least make a decision. I voted for Elliot 4 years ago, but I think we need someone new now. Freddie appears good with fire and police and has the demographics on his side. But I doubt he will run.

Pomonaforthepeople said...

Just out of curiosity, I just called City of Beverly Hills solid waste division to see how many tons a day their transfer station manages. The customer service representative told me that they don't have a transfer station in Beverly Hills and that it has been many years since the one listed on the county website has been operational (third street, Beverly Hills).

calwatch said...

We actually don't need someone chummy with police or fire... we need someone who is willing to make tough decisions. I supported Paula Lantz for mayor a few years ago in the Torres replacement election and I continue to support her today.

As for the Beverly Hills property, it is a "transfer station" in the sense that smaller trucks transfer waste to bigger trucks, not that it is open to the public. See this list and note the road yards on those list - all they do is transfer small loads of fill into bigger trucks for placement somewhere else (and they don't handle trash).

Pomonaforthepeople said...

that list appears to be out of date (It doesn't list the claremont station either. Where is that one?). I asked specifically about that station on third street. She said "the city does not have a transfer station." But you can call and reverify.

What do you mean "they transfer waste" but don't handle trash?

calwatch said...

"Transfer waste" meaning that they transfer fill material from smaller trucks to bigger trucks. I know that is what they do at the road yards - tree debris, dirt from slides or road construction, etc. go from smaller trucks to larger trucks to go to the landfill. In other words, household waste is not being transferred.