Council OKs Declaration of Blight for Most of City

Designating nearly all of the city a redevelopment area, the City Council cleared the way for the collection of additional property tax revenue.

Unlike other redevelopment areas in the state, Stanton’s redevelopment project does not aim to attract businesses. Also unlike other redevelopment plans, it will not use eminent domain to achieve its goals. Rather, council members, who also serve as Redevelopment Agency board members, have said the funds will go toward updating the city’s aging housing stock and making necessary infrastructure improvements.

However, although the five-member council sealed the redevelopment plan with a unanimous vote Wednesday, the city may not see any additional funds for at least a year, City Manager Terry Matz said.

The city must wait until next year’s tax season to collect the additional dollars generated from normal yearly increases in property taxes, he said. And it could take several years to save enough to start offering the loans and grants it promised residents eager to fix up their homes.

Over the 30-year life of the redevelopment plan, the city estimates it will receive an additional $144 million. And though it hurts to call the entire city blighted, without taking this step, officials said they would be hard pressed to find the funding they need to beautify their city.

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988.