By Katrina Van Duzee/Garden Grove Journal
Once a spot of illegal dumping, the Brookhurst Triangle is on its way to redevelopment after the Garden Grove City Council voted 5-0 to enter into an agreement with developer Kam Sang Co. at Tuesday’s meeting.
The developer plans to use the 13.9-acre plot located on Brookhurst Street and Garden Grove Boulevard to build a 10-story retail and residential complex with possible hotel use. About 600 condominium units and a minimum of 80,000 square feet of commercial space could be built in the area, Senior Project Manager Greg Blodgett said.
The project plan also includes a walking trail and city park.
“There are already extremely too many cars, a lot of traffic and now it will take even longer to get through,” resident Josh Macintosh said. “I don’t think they are [the condominiums] beautiful, I think they are cookie-cutter,” he added.
Macintosh said the development plan is oversized and would increase traffic in an area he called “already congested.”
The development will displace 13 businesses, most of which are used car dealerships, according to a staff report. The businesses have been offered $470,000 in relocation aid, but three have chosen to waive the benefits for lower rent until they move.
The businesses being relocated are not expected to have to move for about two years, even though construction on the project could start as early as next year, a staff report said.
Over the past few years the city has acquired and has assembled the 10 parcels comprising the Brookhurst Triangle in effort to redevelop the area. Kam Sang Co., who also built the Sheraton hotel in Garden Grove, is the third developer to show interest in the project.
All other developers dropped the project because of the tough economy.
“I think it is a bad idea, it is way too big,” Macintosh said.
Also at the city council meeting, council members voted 5-0 to pass the second reading and adopt changes to the Garden Grove Municipal Code, allowing skateboarding in public parks.
The ordinance makes two changes to the existing code. It allows skateboarding in public parks with a designated skate area, which was previously illegal and requires that certain safety gear be worn and regulations be followed at skate parks.
The next city council meeting will be held on Tuesday Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m..
My name is spelled McIntosh. Thanks for pointing out that at least one resident opposed the complex.