Brea OKs Carbon Canyon estate homes

June 06--BREA -- A controversial home development project was approved by the City Council after months of hearings in which opponents and supporters argued over its benefit.

The council voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow the Madrona housing development, made up of 162 estate-sized homes along Carbon Canyon Road, where the Freeway Complex Fire charred 31,882 acres in November 2008. Councilman Marty Simonoff cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about the ability of fire trucks being able to access the narrow state highway and the need for residents to flee the area following a natural disaster.

"I see one road in, one road out... is an issue with public safety from my viewpoint," Simonoff told John Erskine, an attorney for the project's developer, the Old Standard Life Insurance Co.

By moving ahead with the project, the City Council also denied an appeal filed by former Mayor Bev Perry, who raised concerns about the removal of 1,400 oak and walnut trees, increased water usage by new homeowners and air pollution generated by construction. Other opponents raised concerns about building homes along a hillside prone to wildfires and landslides.

Developers said the economic and and social benefits outweigh the environmental concerns of critics. A financial study by the city found that Brea would net nearly $9 million over 20 years from property and sales tax revenues, along with another $14 million in additional city fees.

The council signed off on the project after the Old Standard Life agreed to several modified conditions proposed in April to gain approval from councilmembers Brett Murdock and Christine Marick.

Some of those conditions were as simple as asking that Madrona not be a gated community, and that Olinda Drive only be used for emergencies.

Others were more complicated, such as requiring the developer to pay increased school impact fees. The developer also agreed to purchase 200 shares of California Domestic Water on behalf of the city, along with installing a $1.5 million water runoff collection system. The negotiation also requires the developers to set aside 16 half-acre lots so that buyers can build customized homes within the site.

It could take up to a year before the conditions are met, allowing construction to move ahead, an attorney for the developer said.

Perry said she was upset because the council didn't tell her about the updated conditions so that she and other opponents could weigh in.

"They can negotiate with the applicant all they want but ... I should have been informed," Perry said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3794 or [email protected]

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