Politics & Government

Vacant Lot Improvement Plan Moves Ahead

Council gives nod for temporary new touch for property at San Pablo and Tennent avenues.

The "ugly green fence" will stay in place for now, but the city council on Tuesday unanimously approved pushing ahead a plan to beautify an empty lot at the corner of San Pablo and Tennent avenues.

Council members agreed to assist the Pinole Chamber of Commerce and other groups with installing light landscaping, gravel, mulch, and redwood borders within the next few months. The council allowed city staff to work with the chamber and to spend up to $3,000 to begin the improvements. The chamber and other organizations would raise more money as needed and donate labor for installation.

Details for the proposal will be reviewed by the city's Community Services Commission. Pending commission approval, a final plan would return to the council, likely in May, said Public Works Director Dean Allison.

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"It's time to make a change and if it just costs us a little bit to make that change, I think it would be something exciting and different happening in Pinole other than just the doom and gloom of no money," said Councilwoman Debbie Long.

Councilman Tim Banuelos, who sits on the council's committee with the Pinole Youth Commission, said that organization is interested in volunteering on the project. The Pinole Rotary Club also has expressed support, potentially contributing to the cost.

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"I think for the time being it's a good idea," said Banuelos, emphasizing that the lot eventually will be developed into a use that generates tax revenue.

Councilman Pete Murray initially criticized the idea because the city-owned property eventually will be built upon when economic conditions improve enough to encourage the site's sale or leasing to a property developer. Murray said Tuesday that issue and concerns about spending money had been addressed to his satisfaction.

The city is currently paying $200 a month to rent the fence around the property. Whether it will be removed entirely or only on three sides will be determined later. Another option is for the city to buy the fence for $3,000.

"Taking this project and phasing it is probably the best way to get this done and at least have something that looks like something in the next several months and then just add to that as we go along," Mayor Roy Swearingen said.

"Not only is the green fence an eyesore, it's really self-inflicted blight," Chamber President Ivette Ricco said to the council before the vote.

Ricco also said the cost of renting the fence for the last three years has been money ill-spent.

"We've received no tangible benefits and there's no end in sight for this property to be developed," she said. "What we'd like to see first is the removal of the fence. We don't want something elaborate, we just simply want something that's going to enhance our community and make it look like it is vibrant downtown and not a lotof empty spaces and a lot of green fences that people do not like."

The project will not include benches, garbage cans, lighting or irrigation because of the costs of installation and maintenance for those amenities.


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