A Bond for a Road

I was thinking about this in the shower this morning. It is a concept that I have absolutely no idea whether it is workable, or just plain crazy.

Mr. Bisno wants to build 2,300 homes in Ponte Vista. Myself and others want a new road from Western Avenue to Gaffey Street, then continuing up the hill to a new set of ramps on the Harbor Freeway.

How about a bond measure that, if passed by voters, would pay for the road. The zoning change Mr. Bisno would need to build the community according to his wishes would be contingent on the passage of the bond.

Who would vote on the bond measure? I think it is fair that the only people that would vote on the bond issue and be subject to the financial costs are the folks that would benefit from the new road. These include residents of the San Pedro Community Planning Area, the Harbor City/Wilmington Community Planning Area, residents of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates, the City of Palos Verdes, and residents living within L.A. City Council District #15.

I think if the bond measure does pass and Ponte Vista gets a higher density, there should be something in the CC&Rs of the residents requiring them to pay, through their property taxes, their portion of the bond measure.

The new road and ramps would directly benefit the folks on the hill because it gives them a better route to the freeway or it relieves congestion at "5 Points", and the Anaheim and P.C.H. ramps for the Harbor Freeway. The road and ramps would also benefit many people in San Pedro because it would relieve congestion at the end of the Freeway, the Channel/North Gaffey ramps, and the Harbor Blvd ramps.

This bond idea doesn't involve L.A.U.S.D. right now. If L.A.U.S.D. gets into the picture, they always float bond measures and I would expect L.A.U.S.D. would be required to use bond money voted on by everyone who votes for L.A.U.S.D. bonds, to pay for the road and ramps. A 2,025 seat high school cannot have, as it's only access, Western Avenue.

It looks like a win-win idea to me, at least in my foggy brain this morning. Mr. Bisno would be able to count on higher density to his project and the rest of us, who would be so dramatically affected by Ponte Vista, would get a much needed road. The costs would be shared by everyone affected without having Mr. Bisno pay for the road himself. I would hope if a bond measure was seriously considered, Mr. Bisno would join with us to support passage of the bond. It would always be better to work with someone than in opposition to someone.

I know I am an R-1 proponent. But I want to illustrate that PERHAPS folks can find ways to listen, learn, and work together to benefit everyone.

The bottom line for me, still at this point is: No road, then only R-1 in Ponte Vista.