(Photo By: Raymond Mendoza)
Residents of the Walnut’s Timberline neighborhood came to voice their strong concerns about the forthcoming Mt. SAC parking structure.

By Raymond Mendoza

Walnut – Walnut City Council’s March 11 meeting was wrought with angered and concerned citizens as the City once again failed to take public action against Mt. San Antonio’s planned construction.

Before the Mt. SAC discussions, however, the Council approved its meeting minutes for Feb. 25; an Ordinance amending Title VI, Chapter 25, Article 1, Section 25-26.7 of the Walnut Municipal Code relating to tattoo/body art establishments; a Resolution in the amount of $794,210.57; a Resolution directing the preparation and filing of the Engineer’s Report for the 2015-16 Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District No. 1 Assessments, and setting the time and place for a meeting and public hearing; and the award of a bid for the 2014-15 Maintenance Area 3 Slurry Seal Program to Doug Martin Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $365,939.09.

After the other business was taken care of, residents of the nearby Timberline neighborhood voiced their concerns during the meeting, with some calling Mt. SAC’s officials guilty of committing “atrocious” acts to the City by refusing to consult the surrounding neighborhoods about its construction plans, which include a parking structure, an amphitheater and other projects. The residents’ complaints maintained that the proposed structure would be an eyesore for their view of the City, and they questioned the environmental and traffic impacts that construction would have on the area.

Certain members of the Council, including Mary Su and Tony Cartagena, claimed they felt empathy for the Timberline residents and their frustration with the local community college. Su, specifically, claimed that Mt. SAC was not being a “good neighbor” to the City and its residents, and that some form of action was needed.

Mayor Pro Tem, Eric Ching, said that while he could not divulge any information about the City’s plans for a lawsuit, he said steps were being taken “behind closed doors” to ensure the safety of Walnut residents and the overpopulation of Mt. SAC.

On the other hand, City Attorney, Michael Montgomery, made it very clear to the attending residents that the City will likely start litigation against Mt. SAC to halt the parking structure. Furthermore, Montgomery said the Mt. SAC officials exhibited “absolute arrogance” by refusing to read two separate letters about possibly amending the location of the parking structure – one from the City Council and one from the Timberline residents.

Montgomery then said the City had already started down the “legal track” to appease the Timberline residents.

Since the item concerning Mt. SAC’s parking structure was only a discussion item, there was no action taken.

The Council then adjourned at 8:40 p.m. with plans to meet on March 25 at 7 p.m. in the Council chambers at 21201 La Puente Road.