HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emerson Opposing AB742 - LowenthalCITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE A LETTER TO ASSEMBLYMAN NESTANDE AND
SENATOR EMMERSON OPPOSING AB 742
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager/ Legislative Analyst
DATE: September 1, 2011
CONTENTS: Recommended Letter of Request
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve the recommended letter opposing AD 742 to
Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emmerson.
Background
A regional quarry proposed by Granite Construction in Temecula that would produce
gravel and rock for local road and other major building projects has reached the final
approval process after six years. At the last minute before final county approval is being
voted on, objections were raised by the Pechenga tribe and other local residents of
Temecula.
Despite the analysis that the quarry will reduce regional air pollution through reduced
truck traffic carrying gravel and rock long distances from distant quarries, create 100
jobs and provide a local source for building materials used in roads, schools and
hospitals, Assemblywoman Lowenthal has introduced AB 742 which would legislatively
kill the project on behalf of the Pechanga tribe and which is moving quickly through the
legislative process.
While the City is in favor of reduced air pollution and more local jobs, the key factor in
this request to send letters of opposition is that this is a local land use decision that
should be made by our local county Supervisors, through the standard fully transparent
local land use approval process, and should not be subject to micro -management by
Sacramento lawmakers on behalf of powerful individuals through back room deals. This
bill would set a bad precedent where local individuals or companies who were not
happy with land use decisions in Palm Desert could find a Sacramento representative to
push a bill specifically reversing our local decision.
Staff Report: AB 742
September 8, 2011
Page Two
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact of this letter of objection by the City.
Submitted By:
Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager/Legislative Liaison
Approval:
Paul t Gibson, Director of Finance
n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
CITY COUNCILACTION
APPROVED " DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT-.,
ABSTAIN:
VERIFIED BY:
Original on File with Cit Jerk's Office
September 1, 2011
Senator Emmerson
California State Senate
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Senator Emmerson:
The City of Palm Desert opposes AB 742 (Lowenthal), and if it reaches the
State Senate we request that you also oppose it.
AB 742 is a bill that is a last minute attempt to circumvent a long, scientific
and transparent land use approval process by Granite Construction to build a
building material quarry in Temecula. The regional quarry proposed by
Granite Construction would produce gravel and rock for local road and other
major building projects has reached the final approval process after six
years. At the last minute before final county approval is being voted on,
objections were raised by the Pechenga tribe and other local residents on
Temecula.
Despite the analysis that the quarry will reduce regional air pollution through
reduced truck traffic carrying gravel and rock long distances from distant
quarries, create 100 jobs and provide a local source for building materials
used in roads, schools and hospitals, AB 742 would legislatively kill the
project on behalf of the Pechanga tribe.
While the City is in favor of reduced air pollution and more local jobs, the key
factor in this request to send letters of opposition is that this is a local land
use decision that should be made by our local officials, through the standard
fully transparent local land use approval process, and should not be subject
to micro -management by Sacramento lawmakers on behalf of powerful
individuals through back room deals.
This bill would set a bad precedent where local individuals or companies who
were not happy with land use decisions in Palm Desert could find a
Sacramento representative to push a bill specifically reversing our local
decision.
Therefore the City of Palm Desert respectfully requests that you oppose AB
742 (Lowenthal), if it reaches the State Senate. Please do not hesitate to
contact my office or the City's Legislative Analyst, Gary Rosenblum, if we can
be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Jean M. BENSON
MAYOR
cc: John Wohlmuth, City Manager