STANTON : Camping Ban Posed for New Civic Center

A law that would ban camping on public streets and at the new Civic Center is among several ordinance proposals to be considered tonight by the City Council.

Councilman Sal Sapien has said he is concerned that homeless people will be attracted to the $5-million Civic Center, which is scheduled to open in May.

Santa Ana, Fullerton and Orange are being sued by civil rights advocates because of camping bans similar to the one Stanton will consider. However, City Atty. Thomas W. Allen said he doubts Stanton would be added to the lawsuit unless the city enforces a ban.

Allen said the city will establish closed hours for the Civic Center, just as city parks are closed at night. The city could use those hours to keep people from staying at the Civic Center, he said.

The council will also consider an ordinance that bans so-called “flyer parties,” events where the hosts charge admission. Members of the Smoketree Homeowners Assn., who live on Lampson Avenue, have asked the city to pass an ordinance against such parties.

Judy Stalnecker, property supervisor at Smoketree, said extensive vandalism was committed at the 101-unit condominium complex after a recent flyer party.

Party-goers “just swarmed the place,” Stalnecker said.

The homeowners’ association had to foot the bill to clean up spray-painted walls, garages and fences, she said.

Prior to the regular council meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m., council members, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, will consider extending construction deadlines for two projects: Park Stanton Place, an apartment complex for senior citizens, and a group of stores next to Smith’s Food and Drug Center.

Smith’s agreed to construct about 22,000 square feet of retail space that would be leased to other businesses, said City Manager Terry S. Matz.

The council will consider Smith’s request for a six-month delay in construction. The city granted a similar extension in July, 1992. Matz said he is not concerned by the delay.

“I think they’re working diligently toward the completion of the project,” he said.

Jan Development Co., the developer of Park Stanton Place, a 335-unit project on Katella Avenue, has asked for a 120-day extension on construction. The company has previously asked for delays because it could not get construction loans, but some of the financial problems have recently been resolved, according to Matz.

“We’ve seen enough evidence of movement in the financing to be able to recommend an extension to the agency,” he said.