Traffic impacts generated by development in our neighboring Cities.

By Art DeBolt

Los Alamitos residents will be on the receiving end of an estimated 18,000 cars per day should a proposed Costco be permitted at the corner of Katella and Walker Streets by the City of Cypress.

At the corner of Katella and Walker is an 18 acre parcel currently owned by Cottonwood Christian Center (CCC). The zoning, Specific Plan and Redevelopment Plan provide for Commercial Office uses as well as church uses in this area.

For the residents of Los Alamitos a church use anywhere along Katella Ave. will mean less traffic. A church with its off peak, Sunday uses, will occupy acreage that could otherwise be developed by more intense traffic generating commercial uses. Those commercial uses would only add to the already congested Katella Ave. during the work week.

Costco aided by the City of Cypress wants to deprive CCC of their right to develop their property, and locate a Costco at the corner of Katella and Walker. It is estimated that approximately 18,000 cars per day will visit that location. This does not include the trucks that must re-supply the store on a daily basis. This amount of traffic would be devastating for the residents of Los Alamitos.

The City of Cypress has begun the eminent domain process to seize the church property and hand it over to Costco. Fortunately at the time of this writing David Carter a Federal District Court Judge has temporarily enjoined the City of Cypress from proceeding with the taking of the Cottonwood land. It would appear that CCC ultimately may be able to build on their land. If this were to happen the residents of Los Alamitos would be spared the traffic impacts of 18,000 cars per day from a Costco.

However.

In an effort to avoid further litigation and to secure a "home" for their church family, Cottonwood Christian Center has entered into negotiations for a land swap with the owner of the race track.

If this trade of land is successful Cottonwood would locate on 30 acres at the corner of Katella and Lexington, the site of the golf course. This would still benefit the residents of Los Alamitos by taking 30 acres instead of 18 out of the commercial market.

This swap of land would allow the race track owner or the City of Cypress to sell the 18 acre corner to Costco. Again a decision that would be devastating to the residents of Los Alamitos.

The residents of both cities need to be aware of an agreement between Los Alamitos and Cypress concerning development at that site. The 25 year agreement started in 1990 and provides that Los Alamitos will not object to any development on site provided the City of Cypress does two things:

1. Pay Los Alamitos $1.00 per square foot for each building that is built and

2. Not materially amend or change the uses that governed by the specific plan and redevelopment agreement.

Up to this date both cities have honored the agreement. However the introduction of a Costco and attendant retail uses are material changes to the traffic mitigation agreement as well as not part of Cypress' own plans.

It will be up to the next Los Alamitos City Council to have the courage and fortitude to enforce this traffic mitigation agreement.

I need your vote to represent the people of Los Alamitos.