(Source: Neil Nisperos San Bernardino County Sun, Calif. (MCT) — The city has started eminent domain proceedings for a private dirt road in order for the city to improve the easement for a subdivision on the east side of the street.
The Viramontez family, who live on and own a 2.7-acre parcel just northwest of the Base Line Road and Shelby Place intersection, had earlier rejected what they said was a $14,000 offer from the city for rights to road, which connects their property to Base Line Road.
The Viramontezes recently presented the city with a counter compensation request of $30,500 – a value reached by an independent appraiser hired by the family.
Victor Viramontez, who grew up at the property, said a rejection by the city of the counter offer would likely trigger legal action against the city’s eminent domain proceedings.
“My feelings are that everybody would want things to stay the same, but we know we can’t,” Victor Viramontez said. “What’s irritating is the way these developers come in and push. They’re allowed to walk away with a profit. The city’s allowed to walk away with taxes. But those in the city committed to taking care of these properties get nothing.”
The proposed widened road, 210 feet by 30 feet from Base Line, is planned to be renamed Shelby Place North and will connect to the already developed Shelby Place, south of Base Line. The narrow dirt road, called Pecan Avenue, continues north past the Viramontez property toward the Pacific Electric bike trail that traverses the city.
“They’re wanting to widen the private road and pave it,” said Stephen Janis, an attorney from the Rancho Cucamonga firm Banks, Garcia and Janis, who is representing the family.
“This would widen the private road and pave it. The whole purpose of widening and paving is to give access to new homes to the east.”
Street improvements to the road is in accordance with the city’s general plan, the Etiwanda Specific Plan, and the city’s development code standards.
Mark Steuer, director of engineering for the city, said the road will provide better access to the subdivision tract, enhance traffic flow and provide access to public safety.
The housing development, by the Lewis Operating Corp., is expected to be completed this month, but a timeline for Shelby Place North completion is unclear, as work depends on the outcome of the eminent domain process, Steuer said.
Councilman Bill Alexander said he hopes the parties will be able to work out differences.
“Nobody ever likes to see communities go to any form of eminent domain,” Alexander said.
“There’s a lot of consideration always going into it … we’re going through the process with the attorneys. We’ll see what happens.”
The Viramontezes have owned the property since the early 1940s. Animals were once raised on their land, and Lupe Viramontez, 70, has fond memories of playing in the road as a child.
“My hope is to keep the dirt road because sentimental value to old Etiwanda,” Viramontez said.
“It’s been in our family for more than 70 years … I think if you grow up with anything it becomes a part of you. I know it’s just dirt and just land. I’m not going to take it with me, but the idea is it’s been a part of us growing up.”
Reach Neil via email, call him at 909-483-9356, or find him on Twitter @InlandGov.
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Source: Neil Nisperos San Bernardino County Sun, Calif. (MCT)
