La Puente : Petition Against Project

A petition seeking to overturn a controversial redevelopment project was certified by the city last week, forcing the City Council to either repeal the plan or put the issue on the ballot.

City Manager Robert G. Gutierrez said Tuesday that the petition carried at least 998 verified signatures of registered La Puente voters, which meets the 10% requirement mandated by state law. The petition will be presented to the council at its Aug. 13 meeting, Gutierrez said.

The referendum drive was mounted by a citizens group that fears the project will displace many of the nearly 40 homeowners and 200 businesses located within the 93-acre urban renewal zone that is generally along Hacienda Boulevard from the north city limits, along Glendora Avenue between Hudson and Temple avenues and the old downtown area.

If the council decides to call for an election, it can held no sooner than Nov. 9, Gutierrez said.

The redevelopment project, which was unanimously approved by the council in June, is designed to revitalize blighted areas by encouraging development through city-sponsored financing incentives.