Ontario residents mount campaign to stop land-use change
When Ontario began discussions on changing the land-use designation of 39 acres in the southern part of town, it set off a red flag for Dale and Judy Briggs.
Now the couple in conjunction with residents have formed the group Rural Environment and Lifestyle Ontario to stop the city's proposal to change the designation of 39-acre area from "rural residential" to "low density."
Real Ontario, as group members refer to it, has gathered more than 500 residents who are opposed to the proposed zoning change.
"The goal of our group is to continue with rural environment lifestyle that we've all grown to depend and love,' said Dale, one of the group's advisors.
The targeted land is south of Mission Boulevard, north of Phillips Street, west of Magnolia and east of Benson avenues.
Now the couple in conjunction with residents have formed the group Rural Environment and Lifestyle Ontario to stop the city's proposal to change the designation of 39-acre area from "rural residential" to "low density."
Real Ontario, as group members refer to it, has gathered more than 500 residents who are opposed to the proposed zoning change.
"The goal of our group is to continue with rural environment lifestyle that we've all grown to depend and love,' said Dale, one of the group's advisors.
The targeted land is south of Mission Boulevard, north of Phillips Street, west of Magnolia and east of Benson avenues.
The possible change would mean smaller lots and that large animals
could not be kept on the lots, further threatening the rural lifestyle,
Briggs said.
While the Briggs do not live in the proposed area for the zone change, they said they have gotten involved because of the effect it could have to the community.
The concern is, if the spot zone is changed, it will pave the way for other developers to do the same with the remaining agriculture zones.
On Saturday, with 35 members in attendance, the group gathered at Homer Briggs park for their third meeting to be updated on the progress of the proposal.
Curtis Merritt, who have lived in the area for 20 years, is spearheading the signature collections.
At first, Merritt said there were only 25 people who signed the petitions, now she has collected 570 names.
The goal is to top 600 signatures, she said.
Holding up a white map, sprinkled with pink highlights, Merritt showed the residents the houses that are opposed to the proposed change.
"They've told us its 50/50 of people favored and opposed but when we get this map done we'll get to show its really 75 percent opposed," she said.
In February, the council agreed to postpone its decision on the amendment to the General Plan, which would change the land-use designation from rural residential to low density.
The group said they are not opposed to development, but want development that is consistent with what already exists.
Ron Lanting has lived on Benson Avenue for more than 20 years and has owned 38 different animals.
He attended Saturday's meeting because how the changes could affect him.
"It's a rural lifestyle and we enjoy it," Lanting said. "But some people don't want to hear or see animals."
He is also concerned the changes would decrease property value for those who surround the proposed change.
The next step, Judy Briggs told residents, will be to attend the meeting when the council is expected to make a decision.
At that meeting, the group has asked the city for 30 to 45 minutes to make a presentation.
"Our first priority will be spending hours to be prepared and to present to the city about our lifestyle," she said.
While the initial focus of the group is to stop the agricultural zone change, in the future Briggs said they hope to tackle other rural lifestyle issues.
"We want the city to recognize us as a group, one that isn't complaining but working with the city," she said.
Since the group formed earlier this year, several of the councilmembers have come out to get an understanding of the lifestyle, Briggs said.
"There'a lot of dollars in square inches but there's a lot of value in what we have. That's priceless," she said.
liset.marquez@inlandnewspapers.com,
While the Briggs do not live in the proposed area for the zone change, they said they have gotten involved because of the effect it could have to the community.
The concern is, if the spot zone is changed, it will pave the way for other developers to do the same with the remaining agriculture zones.
On Saturday, with 35 members in attendance, the group gathered at Homer Briggs park for their third meeting to be updated on the progress of the proposal.
Curtis Merritt, who have lived in the area for 20 years, is spearheading the signature collections.
At first, Merritt said there were only 25 people who signed the petitions, now she has collected 570 names.
The goal is to top 600 signatures, she said.
Holding up a white map, sprinkled with pink highlights, Merritt showed the residents the houses that are opposed to the proposed change.
"They've told us its 50/50 of people favored and opposed but when we get this map done we'll get to show its really 75 percent opposed," she said.
In February, the council agreed to postpone its decision on the amendment to the General Plan, which would change the land-use designation from rural residential to low density.
The group said they are not opposed to development, but want development that is consistent with what already exists.
Ron Lanting has lived on Benson Avenue for more than 20 years and has owned 38 different animals.
He attended Saturday's meeting because how the changes could affect him.
"It's a rural lifestyle and we enjoy it," Lanting said. "But some people don't want to hear or see animals."
He is also concerned the changes would decrease property value for those who surround the proposed change.
The next step, Judy Briggs told residents, will be to attend the meeting when the council is expected to make a decision.
At that meeting, the group has asked the city for 30 to 45 minutes to make a presentation.
"Our first priority will be spending hours to be prepared and to present to the city about our lifestyle," she said.
While the initial focus of the group is to stop the agricultural zone change, in the future Briggs said they hope to tackle other rural lifestyle issues.
"We want the city to recognize us as a group, one that isn't complaining but working with the city," she said.
Since the group formed earlier this year, several of the councilmembers have come out to get an understanding of the lifestyle, Briggs said.
"There'a lot of dollars in square inches but there's a lot of value in what we have. That's priceless," she said.
liset.marquez@inlandnewspapers.com,
Leave a comment