ponte vista: And the Results are In - 11/07/07 04:02 AM
Lomita's mayor Mark Waronek was overwhelmingly defeated in yesterday's elections.  Waronek was a paid consultant for the Ponte Vista project in San Pedro.  He attempted to distance himself just before the election, which didn't turn out to be the right timing for him.
The voting population of Lomita was wise enough to see a conflict of interest. 
The Ponte Vista project if allowed to build anything more than R-1 density will have a huge impact not just on San Pedro and RPV but also neighboring Lomita and Harbor City.  Bisno is still attempting to go forward with 1900 units even though the community … (0 comments)

ponte vista: Ponte Vistas Low Income Housing - 08/02/07 06:31 AM
I've copied the low to moderate income housing regulations from the Los Angeles City site.  Any new housing development in the city of Los Angeles is required to include 6% of Low income housing and another 9% of moderate income housing. 
Low income is currently defined as households making 80% or less of the median local income, that is currently an income of $42,486 per year. Moderate income housing is defined as a household making 120% of the median local income a year.  A moderate income household is making $63,729 per year.
This would mean Ponte Vista (if they were to build 1900 … (0 comments)

ponte vista: Why Bisno is pushing 1900 units at Ponte Vista - 07/31/07 05:06 PM
Ponte Vistahas reduced the plan from 2200 units to 1900.  The Community Advisory group put together has recommended the current zoning of R-1 be upheld.  The City Council person has said, she will follow the recommendation of the CAC and ask that the zoning be upheld.
Many people (including myself) have suggested that Bisno Development build larger SFRs and sell them for more and that surely they will profit.  I've done some research unfortunately it's not true.
I've put together some facts and figures and have estimated and rounded numbers, but you'll get the basic idea:
$125 Million dollars was paid to purchase 61 acres … (0 comments)

ponte vista: Ponte Vista and Private Transfer Tax - 07/18/07 11:42 AM
It seems that Bisno development has worked out deals on other projects that involve a Private Transfer tax.  What does this mean? A "fee" is taxed onto each property that is charged every time the property is sold.  The "fee" goes to a named party.  It can be the builder, an environmental or historical group (who often bargan for it in exchange for green lighing a development project).  This is a fee that does not have to be disclosed in standard Real Estate disclosures.  There are no limits as to percentage of the fee and no limits as to where the fee can go.
Could … (2 comments)

ponte vista: San Pedro R-1 - 07/14/07 10:26 AM
Today I joined a lovely group of people who have formed the group R Neighborhoods are R-1 on Western Avenue to support the existing zoning of R-1 at Ponte Vista.  The developer purchased the property knowing what the zoning was and hoped to be able to change it to a much higher density as he has been able to do in other communities.
A group of about 30 people gathered outside the Ponte Vista site with signs, banners and petitions, I carried a sign and passed out R-1 bumper stickers.  Thousands of cars drove past us, most with smiles, waves, thumbs up … (0 comments)

ponte vista: San Pedro Development - 07/12/07 05:47 AM
There is a grass roots organization called R Neighborhoods are R-1 that has formed in San Pedro, it is 9000 persons strong and growing daily.  R Neighborhoods was formed to allow the community members of San Pedro and surrounding Rancho Palos Verdes a voice to oppose any change in zoning to the proposed Ponte Vista project. 
Bob Bisno, a developer from outside the area purchased the former navy housing land for $125 million.  It was zoned R-1 when he purchased it.  Mr. Bisno has been successful getting the zoning changed in other areas for monster developments he has orchistrated.  Mr. Bisno … (0 comments)