(Oct. 12, 2009) -- A letter dated October 2, sent to LB Mayor Bob Foster and Councilmembers by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (and recently released on the group's website) indicates the group won't oppose the exchange of city owned developable property in exchange for roughly 30 acres of open space/presumed wetlands now owned by a Tom Dean-related LLC if the City takes certain actions.
The letter, signed by LCWLT President Ann Dennison, notes that the group has previously expressed concerns about several aspects of the transaction. However, it concludes with this:
If the City applies for the required Coastal Development Permit [from the Coastal Commission], is willing to comply with reasonable permit conditions and is willing to recognize the legitimate concerns we have
expressed, we will be pleased to work with the City to accomplish our mutual goal of protecting and preserving the Los Cerritos Wetlands.
To view the LCWLT letter to the Mayor and Council in full, click here.
Some opponents of the transaction have cited taxpayer and financial grounds for their opposition.
City Hall management says its plan is to have a state-funded locally-governed wetlands authority purchase the wetlands at some point (no date has been set). The wetlands authority is currently without funds for the transaction, hasn't agreed to a price for the property or to complete the transaction by any date certain...and there is currently no agreement on an appraised price for the property.
