After a series of guided tours of Tres Hermanos Ranch, the newest event at this roughly 2,500-acre local gem, managed by an authority comprised of the cities of Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Industry, is a self-guided three-mile hike from Grand Avenue Park in Chino Hills to the ranch headquarters and back. For more information:
Showing posts with label City of Industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Industry. Show all posts
03 April 2026
16 June 2024
Yesterday's Second Round of Tres Hermanos Ranch Tours
With a waiting list of a few hundred persons from the inaugural tours, held last September, of Tres Hermanos Ranch, owned by the City of Industry and adjacent to Carbon Canyon in the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, the governing body, the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority (TRCA) offered a second route of visits to the ranch yesterday.
Four groups were ferried into the property from the nearby Diamond Bar Community Center and made three stops during a warm morning, learning about the management, natural history and cultural history of the ranch. We'll see when and what future offerings will be, but there is certainly strong community interest in this remarkable place.
To read more about yesterday's excursions, check out: https://homesteadmuseum.blog/2024/06/15/tres-hermanos-ranch-tour-postview-william-benjamin-scott-1868-1920/.
23 September 2023
A Photo Recap of the First-Ever Public Tours of Tres Hermanos Ranch
It was a beautiful day today out at Tres Hermanos Ranch, the 2,445-acre parcel administered by an Authority composed of the cities of Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Industry, as the first-ever public tours of this amazing property, situated just north of Carbon Canyon, were offered.
Authority officials and staff from the three cities did a great job of organizing and carrying out this initial offering, for which the available 104 seats were snapped up in a matter of minutes, with some 400 persons placed on a waiting list.
Tours were held at 9, 10, and 11 a.m. as well as Noon with guests meeting at the nearby Diamond Bar Community Center and transported by bus to the ranch. Ben Montgomery and Dan Fox, the city managers of Chino Hills, in which 70% of the ranch is situated, and Diamond Bar, which comprises the remaining 30%, rode along on the buses and provided information.
Their Industry counterpart, Joshua Nelson, who has an extensive engineering background, met visitors at the first stop, the Arnold Reservoir, dating to about 1918, and discussed it and future work to be done to better stabilize and support it.
At the second stop, near some historic barns and outbuildings, yours truly, a Chino Hills resident and director of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum, a City of Industry owned and funded historic site, provided a general historical background.
The third and last location was deep in the southern reaches of Tres Hermanos, a beautiful and isolated locale, where Cal Poly Pomona emeritus professor of plant sciences, Dan Hostetler, also a Chino Hills resident, talked about the flora and fauna, past and present, at the Ranch.
Given that this was a first effort, it was remarkably well-run by the dedicated staff of the Authority and the three cities and guests appeared to be astounded and impressed by the ranch and, we hope, the information given by the presenters.
There needs to be an evaluation of the event and consideration of what future possibilities might be entertained for further public access, so those interested in knowing more can periodically check the Authority website.
Meanwhile, for those who want to know more about the early history of the ranch, along with a review of how the day went, please head over to The Homestead Blog for a post covering these topics.
22 August 2023
First-Ever Public Tours of Tres Hermanos Ranch on 23 September
Guided tours of Tres Hermanos Ranch, the 2,445-acre property in Diamond Bar and Chino Hills and administered by a joint-powers authority comprised of those two cities and the City of Industry, will be offered to the public for the first time on Saturday, 23 September on the hour from 9 a.m. to Noon.
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| A 1925 view from near what is now Grand Avenue looking southwest toward the Tres Hermanos Ranch headquarters, left of center on the knoll, and outbuildings to the left. Courtesy of the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum, City of Industry. |
Registration for these free 1 1/2-hour visits, focusing on the ranch's history, flora and fauna and more, opens on Tuesday, 5 September at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis with a waitlist established for cancellations. Space is very limited, so, if you're interested in going, make your reservation early. For more information, go to: https://treshermanos.org/2023/08/22/guided-tours-of-the-ranch-offered/.
07 April 2019
New Tres Hermanos Ranch Lawsuit Filed
As reported Friday by Jason Henry of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the City of Industry has filed a new lawsuit against San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, the firm hired by the City's previous administration to develop a solar farm on Tres Hermanos Ranch.
With the ranch recently turned over to a new joint powers authority after Industry sold interests in the nearly 2,500-acre parcel, which is the last large undeveloped property in our area, to the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, legal battles continue between Industry and SGVWP.
Specifically, Industry is seeking the return of $20 million advanced to SGVWP for the project, alleging the funds were secured through false pretenses and stating that the firm has not forwarded evidence of any efforts expended for the project.
The City also claims that the utility company is concealing material that would show money was used for the benefit of the firm and contractors it hired, not for required reports and studies. It added that invoices were sent to the City, even after the lease was terminated, for work that was actually never done or, if finished, was done so at excessive rates.
Moreover, the suit alleges that SGVWP used funds from the Industry lease on other projects and for personal expenditures of principal William Barkett, who, for instance, owned money to family members and also paid his personal asistant $6,000 a month for filing, bookkeeping and other routine office tasks unrelated to the solar farm project. The City also claims some of that money is being used by the company in legal fights against it.
It has been about three years since a lease arrangement was made between the two parties for a 450-megawatt solar facility, but the City ended the arrangement and those officials who worked on the deal are no longer working in Industry. The new partnership with Chino Hills and Diamond Bar included a media event on the ranch to publicly launch the joint powers authority tasked with the management of Tres Hermanos.
More on this issue as it develops and is reported.
With the ranch recently turned over to a new joint powers authority after Industry sold interests in the nearly 2,500-acre parcel, which is the last large undeveloped property in our area, to the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, legal battles continue between Industry and SGVWP.
Specifically, Industry is seeking the return of $20 million advanced to SGVWP for the project, alleging the funds were secured through false pretenses and stating that the firm has not forwarded evidence of any efforts expended for the project.
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| A portion of Tres Hermanos Ranch looking southwest from Chino Hills, 25 March 2019. |
Moreover, the suit alleges that SGVWP used funds from the Industry lease on other projects and for personal expenditures of principal William Barkett, who, for instance, owned money to family members and also paid his personal asistant $6,000 a month for filing, bookkeeping and other routine office tasks unrelated to the solar farm project. The City also claims some of that money is being used by the company in legal fights against it.
It has been about three years since a lease arrangement was made between the two parties for a 450-megawatt solar facility, but the City ended the arrangement and those officials who worked on the deal are no longer working in Industry. The new partnership with Chino Hills and Diamond Bar included a media event on the ranch to publicly launch the joint powers authority tasked with the management of Tres Hermanos.
More on this issue as it develops and is reported.
04 April 2019
Tres Hermanos Ranch History Presentation on 6 May
In light of recent developments involving the nearly 2,500-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch, the last major undevelopment parcel in this area, and a new collaboration between the cities of Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Industry concerning the future of the ranch, the Chino Hills Historical Society has just issued a press release about an upcoming presentation on the history of Tres Hermanos.
The PowerPoint-illustrated talk will take place on Monday, 6 March at 7 p.m. and be held at the Chino Hills Community Center at 14250 Peyton Drive, across from Ayala High School. The presentation will talk about the land's use as public land during the pre-American period and then as part of cattle raising by a variety of owners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the 1910s, the tres hermanos, or "three brothers" who were actually good friends, William B. Scott, William R. Rowland, and Harry Chandler acquired a portion of a larger property and named it Tres Hermanos Ranch. A house was built and these powerful figures in oil, real estate and media used the ranch as a rural vacation spot.
Rowland and Scott died by the early 1930s and Chandler and his descendants continued to own the ranch until it was sold to the City of Industry in 1978. While there were proposals for a reservoir or a solar farm at Tres Hermanos, the recent agreement between the tres ciudades, or "three cities," including the launch of a new joint powers authority introduces a new chapter in the long-running story of the ranch.
For mre information about this presentation and about the Chino Hills Historical Society, call 909.597.6449 or email chhistory@aol.com.
The PowerPoint-illustrated talk will take place on Monday, 6 March at 7 p.m. and be held at the Chino Hills Community Center at 14250 Peyton Drive, across from Ayala High School. The presentation will talk about the land's use as public land during the pre-American period and then as part of cattle raising by a variety of owners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the 1910s, the tres hermanos, or "three brothers" who were actually good friends, William B. Scott, William R. Rowland, and Harry Chandler acquired a portion of a larger property and named it Tres Hermanos Ranch. A house was built and these powerful figures in oil, real estate and media used the ranch as a rural vacation spot.
Rowland and Scott died by the early 1930s and Chandler and his descendants continued to own the ranch until it was sold to the City of Industry in 1978. While there were proposals for a reservoir or a solar farm at Tres Hermanos, the recent agreement between the tres ciudades, or "three cities," including the launch of a new joint powers authority introduces a new chapter in the long-running story of the ranch.
For mre information about this presentation and about the Chino Hills Historical Society, call 909.597.6449 or email chhistory@aol.com.
26 November 2018
Surprising New Twist to Tres Hermanos Saga
As reported in yesterday's San Gabriel Valley Tribune, an unexpected left-field turn of events concerning the Tres Hermanos Ranch in Tonner Canyon, directly north of Carbon Canyon, emerged recently when the City of Commerce made overtures to purchase the ranch for $42 million.
The story is convoluted and complex, but seems to involve an effort from a utility firm, San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, formed to develop a solar farm at Tres Hermanos by contract with the City of Industry until that plan wetn awry, to work with Commerce on acquiring the ranch and revive the project. So far, officials in Commerce have been tight-lipped about its discussions concerning the property, basically saying that they are simply exploring options.
Industry was given approval by the successor agency to its former redevelopment agency to buy the ranch but whose purchase has been stalled by litigation involving the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar. A key condition was that the ranch had to be developed for public use and there was talk about preserving portions of the nearly 2,500-acre property for open space and recreation. That public use, for a time, was the scuttled solar farm project, though it looks like Commerce is aiming to bring it back.
Chino Hills City Manager Rad Bartlam was blunt in stating that the city would sue Commerce if it was to acquire the land and pursue the solar farm, adding that officials in Commerce would be "completely crazy" to assume otherwise. Industry's city attorney Jamie Casso noted that the state's Department of Finance has approved the sale of the ranch to the city, noting "it's mind-boggling that anybody would think that this is possible."
Industry, Chino Hills and Diamond Bar have recently undertaken settlement negotiation talks concerning joint control of Tres Hermanos, but Commerce claims Industry has not satisfied the terms of the sale from the successor agency and requested consideration for purchase, even though its own city council has not formally acted and two members of the council said they knew nothing about the issue.
Moreover, any sale would have to be approved by the successor agency and would also have to go out to bid, including to developers who've already made offers of up to $125 million for the ranch. There are also other legal issues, including whether Commerce's closed door meetings are a violation of the Brown Act, requiring public transparency for certain discussions by government agencies.
Officials from Chino Hills and Industry appeared at a Commerce council meeting just before Thanksgiving, at which officials there were poised to have a closed-door confab about Tres Hermanos, and threatened, including by letter, to sue Commerce over its proceedings. Two Los Angeles County supervisors, Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, have indicated they want as much preserved open space as possible in addition to raising concerns about the legality of Commerce's actions to date.
As for Commerce, which gets a significant revenue stream from casinos in the city but is facing a significant loss of funds due to new state actions on gaming, it apparently is looking to utility services as a potential generation of income. Its two months of closed doors meetings and hiring of an attorney formerly employed by Industry to work on the solar farm project have raised eyebrows, with the Tribune reporting that Anthony Bouza may have broken the law by not getting informed written consent by Industry about his possibly using confidential information that would harm a previous client (Industry) to benefit a new one (Commerce,) a point echoed by Casso.
Check back for updates as new information is forthcoming.
The story is convoluted and complex, but seems to involve an effort from a utility firm, San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, formed to develop a solar farm at Tres Hermanos by contract with the City of Industry until that plan wetn awry, to work with Commerce on acquiring the ranch and revive the project. So far, officials in Commerce have been tight-lipped about its discussions concerning the property, basically saying that they are simply exploring options.
Industry was given approval by the successor agency to its former redevelopment agency to buy the ranch but whose purchase has been stalled by litigation involving the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar. A key condition was that the ranch had to be developed for public use and there was talk about preserving portions of the nearly 2,500-acre property for open space and recreation. That public use, for a time, was the scuttled solar farm project, though it looks like Commerce is aiming to bring it back.
Chino Hills City Manager Rad Bartlam was blunt in stating that the city would sue Commerce if it was to acquire the land and pursue the solar farm, adding that officials in Commerce would be "completely crazy" to assume otherwise. Industry's city attorney Jamie Casso noted that the state's Department of Finance has approved the sale of the ranch to the city, noting "it's mind-boggling that anybody would think that this is possible."
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| An aerial photograph of Tres Hermanos from the north, taken in March 2018. |
Moreover, any sale would have to be approved by the successor agency and would also have to go out to bid, including to developers who've already made offers of up to $125 million for the ranch. There are also other legal issues, including whether Commerce's closed door meetings are a violation of the Brown Act, requiring public transparency for certain discussions by government agencies.
Officials from Chino Hills and Industry appeared at a Commerce council meeting just before Thanksgiving, at which officials there were poised to have a closed-door confab about Tres Hermanos, and threatened, including by letter, to sue Commerce over its proceedings. Two Los Angeles County supervisors, Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, have indicated they want as much preserved open space as possible in addition to raising concerns about the legality of Commerce's actions to date.
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| A view of the 2,500-acre ranch from the east. |
Check back for updates as new information is forthcoming.
19 August 2018
A Turn of Events at Tres Hermanos Ranch
The situation has evolved yet again at Tres Hermanos Ranch, situated in Tonner Canyon just north of Carbon Canyon. Long owned by the City of Industry's redevelopment agency and subject to a purchase by the City after the dissolution of those agencies by the state, the ranch was then earmarked for a solar farm.
The cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar separately filed lawsuits challenging the sale on several grounds concerning this proposed plan without consulting the cities with respect to existing general plans and others.
Recently, however, came news in late July through the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the City of Industry, which has undergone major administrative changes, has abandoned the solar farm plan, though it is not clear if the concept of some use of the ranch for solar power generation is totally jettisoned.
Yesterday, a new shift was announced in the form of an article in the Tribune that Industry has made overtures on some form of a joint partnership concerning the future of the 2,500-acre ranch, about 70% of which is in Chino Hills and the remainder in Diamond Bar. The article indicated that discussions have yielded progress with an agreement nearing completion toward a joint powers authority. There has been a Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority in the past, so it appears this would be a new entity with Industry having a more direct and formal repersentation.
One of the issues is the $42 million price tag which was attached to the ranch when a deal was made to sell the former redevelopment property to Industry and whether it would ask the other cities to help defray portions of that cost. Industry is seeking to end a lease agreement with a firm hired to develop plans for the now-scuttled solar farm but is being challenged by that company, San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, LLC.
While specifics of the discussions were not provided by any of the cities, Chino Hills City Manager Rad Bartlam called the talks so far "genuine" and found them encouraging, stating that the several weeks of meetings would, hopefully, lead to a result "we can all live with." Industry leaders have expressed hope for use of Tres Hermanos for a public purpose, with green energy still an interest of some of them.
Jim Gallagher of Save Tres Hermanos Ranch and a recent candidate for a Chino Hills City Council seat, however, expressed suspicion about the latest news, citing the possibility of housing needs assessments leading to Chino Hills and Diamond Bar eyeing at least parts of the ranch for development. Instead, Gallagher and others with the advocacy group are pushing to preserve the ranch as part of a nature corridor linking the Puente and Chino hills ranges.
As the Tres Hermanos situation continues to develop, look for more here.
The cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar separately filed lawsuits challenging the sale on several grounds concerning this proposed plan without consulting the cities with respect to existing general plans and others.
Recently, however, came news in late July through the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the City of Industry, which has undergone major administrative changes, has abandoned the solar farm plan, though it is not clear if the concept of some use of the ranch for solar power generation is totally jettisoned.
Yesterday, a new shift was announced in the form of an article in the Tribune that Industry has made overtures on some form of a joint partnership concerning the future of the 2,500-acre ranch, about 70% of which is in Chino Hills and the remainder in Diamond Bar. The article indicated that discussions have yielded progress with an agreement nearing completion toward a joint powers authority. There has been a Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority in the past, so it appears this would be a new entity with Industry having a more direct and formal repersentation.
One of the issues is the $42 million price tag which was attached to the ranch when a deal was made to sell the former redevelopment property to Industry and whether it would ask the other cities to help defray portions of that cost. Industry is seeking to end a lease agreement with a firm hired to develop plans for the now-scuttled solar farm but is being challenged by that company, San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, LLC.
While specifics of the discussions were not provided by any of the cities, Chino Hills City Manager Rad Bartlam called the talks so far "genuine" and found them encouraging, stating that the several weeks of meetings would, hopefully, lead to a result "we can all live with." Industry leaders have expressed hope for use of Tres Hermanos for a public purpose, with green energy still an interest of some of them.
Jim Gallagher of Save Tres Hermanos Ranch and a recent candidate for a Chino Hills City Council seat, however, expressed suspicion about the latest news, citing the possibility of housing needs assessments leading to Chino Hills and Diamond Bar eyeing at least parts of the ranch for development. Instead, Gallagher and others with the advocacy group are pushing to preserve the ranch as part of a nature corridor linking the Puente and Chino hills ranges.
As the Tres Hermanos situation continues to develop, look for more here.
19 May 2018
Another Twist at Tres Hermanos Ranch
The news is a few days old, but the City of Industry has filed a rare municipal subpoena for information from San Gabriel Valley Water and Power, LLC, the company it paid $20 million as part of early planning for a proposed solar farm at Tres Hermanos Ranch, which is directly north of Carbon Canyon.
This is said to be done in order to satisfy demands made in lawsuits filed by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar contesting the sale of the ranch to Industry.
Read more here.
This is said to be done in order to satisfy demands made in lawsuits filed by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar contesting the sale of the ranch to Industry.
Read more here.
08 May 2018
More News on Tres Hermanos Ranch
An article this weekend in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune discusses the situation with the proposed solar farm at Tres Hermanos Ranch, specifically a plan for Southern California Edison to be involved in the project.
The utility signed on to build a pair of substations to link the solar farm to the electrical grid with the provision that the work would be paid for by the developer hired by the City of Industry to manage the project.
Payment for work by San Gabriel Valley Water and Power has been halted and it was stated that the company has not turned over documents to the City of Industry so the details of work can be verified as well as have information available in lawsuits filed against the City by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar over the sale of the ranch to Industry.
Acting City Manager Troy Helling said that Industry is committed to using Tres Hermanos for a public purpose, but observed that the sale is not technically complete because of the litigation and added that the situation is "still pretty much up in the air."
More on the story including a link to documents concerning the SCE substations is available here.
The utility signed on to build a pair of substations to link the solar farm to the electrical grid with the provision that the work would be paid for by the developer hired by the City of Industry to manage the project.
Payment for work by San Gabriel Valley Water and Power has been halted and it was stated that the company has not turned over documents to the City of Industry so the details of work can be verified as well as have information available in lawsuits filed against the City by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar over the sale of the ranch to Industry.
Acting City Manager Troy Helling said that Industry is committed to using Tres Hermanos for a public purpose, but observed that the sale is not technically complete because of the litigation and added that the situation is "still pretty much up in the air."
More on the story including a link to documents concerning the SCE substations is available here.
22 April 2018
New Lawsuits Filed Over Tres Hermanos Ranch
Last week, the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar filed new suits against the City of Industry over what they are arguing is a lack of information requested about a prposed solar farm on the Tres Hermanos Ranch, which Industry owns and which is located in Chino Hills (about 70%) and Diamond Bar.
The two cities claim that Industry would not release or significantly redacted paperwork and are asking for a full release of that material. Industry counters that it has responded appropriately and has been waiting for third parties to provide some of the requested information.
To read more, here is the article from Friday afternoon.
The two cities claim that Industry would not release or significantly redacted paperwork and are asking for a full release of that material. Industry counters that it has responded appropriately and has been waiting for third parties to provide some of the requested information.
To read more, here is the article from Friday afternoon.
13 March 2018
The Latest at Tres Hermanos Ranch
Recent changes in the administration at the City of Industry and other matters have led to a halt in proceedings regarding a potential solar farm at Tres Hermanos Ranch, just north of Carbon Canyon in Tonner Canyon.
Jason Henry of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune contributed this article on the latest involving the ranch, which is still the subject of litigation initiated by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar.
As developments occur, check back for more on what happens to the last major undeveloped piece of land in the area.
Jason Henry of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune contributed this article on the latest involving the ranch, which is still the subject of litigation initiated by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar.
As developments occur, check back for more on what happens to the last major undeveloped piece of land in the area.
11 November 2017
Tres Hermanos and Potential Public Use
Today's Champion has an article by Marianne Napoles on Tres Hermanos Ranch, located in Tonner Canyon just north of Carbon Canyon, and the continuing controversy over its potential future uses.
Napoles repoted that "The City of Industry reiterated its commitment to use the 2,450-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch for open space, public use, and preservation purposes" following last week's determination by the state's Department of Finance that it would not act on the sale of the ranch to the city for $41,5 million.
Further, it was observed that Industry stated "it is not proposing a 450-megawatt solar facility" on the property, with documents suggesting the possibility of one up to that size. This was confirmed in a statement made by Chino Hills City Attorney Mark Hensley, who told the paper that document he'd seen indicated that the project "could be up to 450 megawatts, but there are various numbers in various documents."
Paul Philips, city manager in Industry, was quoted as saying "we will collaboratively with interested stakeholders and residents to ultimately create a space for people to enjoy." A restrictive covenant was part of the sale that would only allow for the three stated uses cited above. Philips went on to say that there will be a plan for Tres Hermanos coming in the near future.
Officials in Chino Hills and Diamond Bar continue to express the belief that their lawsuits challenging the legal validity of the sale will be upheld in the courts, with Chino Hills council member Peter Rogers referring to "this shroud of secrecy" about Industry's plans keeping the city "vigilant in seeking information that defines this project." Hensley added that "when you [Industry] are constantly working to hide the facts from the public and are untruthful when you are caught, it results in a lot of mistrust and confusion."
Diamond Bar City Manager Dan Fox stated that the sale, executed, in his view, "so Industry could have more cash to develop a massive solar generating facility is clearly inconsistent with" the long-range property management plan for the Successor Agency to the City of Industry Urban Development Agency. The argument is that the sale should have been for the maximum monetary value for the benefit of public entities like the two cities.
To further explain their positions, Chino Hills and Diamond Bar have added pages to their web sites, with the former offering this page and the latter presenting this one. The City of Industry has posted this press release on its website in the aftermath of the finance department's announcement.
Napoles repoted that "The City of Industry reiterated its commitment to use the 2,450-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch for open space, public use, and preservation purposes" following last week's determination by the state's Department of Finance that it would not act on the sale of the ranch to the city for $41,5 million.
Further, it was observed that Industry stated "it is not proposing a 450-megawatt solar facility" on the property, with documents suggesting the possibility of one up to that size. This was confirmed in a statement made by Chino Hills City Attorney Mark Hensley, who told the paper that document he'd seen indicated that the project "could be up to 450 megawatts, but there are various numbers in various documents."
Paul Philips, city manager in Industry, was quoted as saying "we will collaboratively with interested stakeholders and residents to ultimately create a space for people to enjoy." A restrictive covenant was part of the sale that would only allow for the three stated uses cited above. Philips went on to say that there will be a plan for Tres Hermanos coming in the near future.
Officials in Chino Hills and Diamond Bar continue to express the belief that their lawsuits challenging the legal validity of the sale will be upheld in the courts, with Chino Hills council member Peter Rogers referring to "this shroud of secrecy" about Industry's plans keeping the city "vigilant in seeking information that defines this project." Hensley added that "when you [Industry] are constantly working to hide the facts from the public and are untruthful when you are caught, it results in a lot of mistrust and confusion."
Diamond Bar City Manager Dan Fox stated that the sale, executed, in his view, "so Industry could have more cash to develop a massive solar generating facility is clearly inconsistent with" the long-range property management plan for the Successor Agency to the City of Industry Urban Development Agency. The argument is that the sale should have been for the maximum monetary value for the benefit of public entities like the two cities.
To further explain their positions, Chino Hills and Diamond Bar have added pages to their web sites, with the former offering this page and the latter presenting this one. The City of Industry has posted this press release on its website in the aftermath of the finance department's announcement.
05 November 2017
State Finance Department Takes No Action of Tres Hermanos Ranch Sale
The State of California's Department of Finance has issued a decision to "take no action" regarding the sale of the nearly 2,500-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch, north of Carbon Canyon, to the City of Industry.
The department indicated that, in its review of the sale, it determined that the transaction was approved by the Successor Agency to the City of Industry Urban Development Agency and that it had no objection.
The cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar requested a review because of concern that the sale price of $41.5 million, being far less than anticipated sale value and other offers topping $100 million, would result in significant financial losses.
Both cities have also filed two sets of lawsuits challenging the sale on the grounds that the sale did, as both claim, violate the state's law for disposing of former redevelopment land, as well as not meet state environmental review laws.
So, the legal wrangling will continue at the courts and Industry's proposed solar farm project, with promises for provision of the public use of other portions of the ranch, remains in play.
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article just posted online today.
The department indicated that, in its review of the sale, it determined that the transaction was approved by the Successor Agency to the City of Industry Urban Development Agency and that it had no objection.
The cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar requested a review because of concern that the sale price of $41.5 million, being far less than anticipated sale value and other offers topping $100 million, would result in significant financial losses.
Both cities have also filed two sets of lawsuits challenging the sale on the grounds that the sale did, as both claim, violate the state's law for disposing of former redevelopment land, as well as not meet state environmental review laws.
So, the legal wrangling will continue at the courts and Industry's proposed solar farm project, with promises for provision of the public use of other portions of the ranch, remains in play.
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article just posted online today.
24 October 2017
Chino Hills & Diamond Bar Sue Over Tres Hermanos Ranch Sale
It's hot off the (electronic) press, being posted just about 20 minutes ago, but the San Gabriel Valley Tribune has an article detailing the lawsuits filed on Friday the 20th by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar against the sale of the 2,450-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch, which is within their borders, to the City of Industry.
Mark Hensley, city attorney for Chino Hills, wrote in his filing that Industry "deceived the Oversight Board [for the former Industry redevelopment agency] and the public by consistently making false statements that the property would be used for open space and recreational purposes" while spending millions of dollars in studies for a solar farm that would cover about 40% of the land. Hensley argued that "as a result of this deception the affected taxing agencies have been harmed."
Industry secured a 4-3 vote by the oversight board because of an offer to use Tres Hermanos land for public access and for the preservation of open space and has, it's been reported, contacted the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation about ways this could be done, presumably on the remaining 60% of the ranch, or about 1,550 acres.
Statutes require the oversight boards of former redevelopment agencies to secure the "best and highest value" for former redevelopment property, like Tres Hermanos. A question would be whether this is solely measured in dollars lost to cities like Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, because the appraised value of the ranch was up to approximately $120 million and the agreed-upon purchase price was just south of $42 million. The suits claim the ranch should be sold to the highest bidder
Notably, these suits challenge the sale as their major focus, though there are expressed concerns about the proposed solar project violating state environmental laws and local planning ordinances. Interestingly, the Chino Hills filing includes letters from the Chino Valley Fire District and the County of San Bernardino supporting the city's allegations.
Here is the full article, which will appear in tomorrow's print edition.
Mark Hensley, city attorney for Chino Hills, wrote in his filing that Industry "deceived the Oversight Board [for the former Industry redevelopment agency] and the public by consistently making false statements that the property would be used for open space and recreational purposes" while spending millions of dollars in studies for a solar farm that would cover about 40% of the land. Hensley argued that "as a result of this deception the affected taxing agencies have been harmed."
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| Tres Hermanos Ranch from the south, March 2016. |
Industry secured a 4-3 vote by the oversight board because of an offer to use Tres Hermanos land for public access and for the preservation of open space and has, it's been reported, contacted the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation about ways this could be done, presumably on the remaining 60% of the ranch, or about 1,550 acres.
Statutes require the oversight boards of former redevelopment agencies to secure the "best and highest value" for former redevelopment property, like Tres Hermanos. A question would be whether this is solely measured in dollars lost to cities like Chino Hills and Diamond Bar, because the appraised value of the ranch was up to approximately $120 million and the agreed-upon purchase price was just south of $42 million. The suits claim the ranch should be sold to the highest bidder
Notably, these suits challenge the sale as their major focus, though there are expressed concerns about the proposed solar project violating state environmental laws and local planning ordinances. Interestingly, the Chino Hills filing includes letters from the Chino Valley Fire District and the County of San Bernardino supporting the city's allegations.
Here is the full article, which will appear in tomorrow's print edition.
13 October 2017
City of Industry Approves Solar Farm Project for Tres Hermanos Ranch
Here is the latest from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on the City of Industry's plans for a solar farm project at Tres Hermanos Ranch, just north of Carbon Canyon:
17 September 2017
Chino Hills to Sue City of Industry Over Tres Hermanos Ranch Sale
The Chino/Chino Hills Champion reported in its edition yesterday that the City of Chino Hills intends to file a lawsuit challenging the late August sale of the 2,450-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch, immediately north of Carbon Canyon, to the City of Industry, which has been planning for a large solar farm on the ranch.
This development came after a closed door session of the Chino Hills city council meeting last Tuesday night. City Attorney Mark Hensley cited a "number of issues" including Industry's not presenting the proposed solar farm to the Chino Hills Planning Commission, which determines appropriate use to the city's general plan.
City Manager Rad Bartlam decried a lack of transparency in the process, telling the council that the city had to file public records requests for thousands of documents in order to learn of the plans for the ranch. Mayor Ray Marquez observed that the farm would cover most, if not all, the property and be visible from Grand Avenue.
A City of Industry spokesperson responded that going to the Chino Hills planning commission before a purchase "would have been premature" and added that Industry was committed to following all applicable laws and regulations from the local jurisdictions up to the federal level.
Jim Gallagher, a Chino Hills resident and member of the grass roots organization Save Tres Hermanos Ranch, told the city council during the open portion of the meeting that people [most, presumably] in Chino Hills are against housing and the traffic it would bring to the area if these were built. Chino Hills and Diamond Bar together allow nearly 1,100 units (meaning a few thousands new residents) on their respective portions of the ranch.
Gallagher went on to say that "Tres Hermanos is a critical natural area with a natural waterway. Our residents say yes to open space and green infrastructure." This latter refers to the publicly stated intention of Industry to build a large solar farm on the ranch and Gallagher told the council that it was too big, noting he mentioned this to Industry officials. He then observed that there are misperceptions in the public mind about what solar farms are.
Chino Hills council member Cynthia Moran stated that the idea of the sale was "not necessarily a good one" and that she would like to see a public meeting to explain how the decision to sell the ranch will affect the city. She also said that while "people are quick to say they don't want houses," there is also the matter of residents comprehending "the reality of the situation."
Stay tuned as this issue ramps up!
This development came after a closed door session of the Chino Hills city council meeting last Tuesday night. City Attorney Mark Hensley cited a "number of issues" including Industry's not presenting the proposed solar farm to the Chino Hills Planning Commission, which determines appropriate use to the city's general plan.
City Manager Rad Bartlam decried a lack of transparency in the process, telling the council that the city had to file public records requests for thousands of documents in order to learn of the plans for the ranch. Mayor Ray Marquez observed that the farm would cover most, if not all, the property and be visible from Grand Avenue.
A City of Industry spokesperson responded that going to the Chino Hills planning commission before a purchase "would have been premature" and added that Industry was committed to following all applicable laws and regulations from the local jurisdictions up to the federal level.
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| A view from the south of Tres Hermanos Ranch, March 2016. |
Gallagher went on to say that "Tres Hermanos is a critical natural area with a natural waterway. Our residents say yes to open space and green infrastructure." This latter refers to the publicly stated intention of Industry to build a large solar farm on the ranch and Gallagher told the council that it was too big, noting he mentioned this to Industry officials. He then observed that there are misperceptions in the public mind about what solar farms are.
Chino Hills council member Cynthia Moran stated that the idea of the sale was "not necessarily a good one" and that she would like to see a public meeting to explain how the decision to sell the ranch will affect the city. She also said that while "people are quick to say they don't want houses," there is also the matter of residents comprehending "the reality of the situation."
Stay tuned as this issue ramps up!
15 September 2017
San Gabriel Valley Tribune Editorial on Tres Hermanos Ranch
The editorial board of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune has weighed in on the Tres Hermanos Ranch issue and the editorial can be viewed here.
The last post here linked to an article on a request by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar for a state review on the legality of the sale of the ranch to the City of Industry, so we'll see what is forthcoming from Sacramento.
The last post here linked to an article on a request by the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar for a state review on the legality of the sale of the ranch to the City of Industry, so we'll see what is forthcoming from Sacramento.
30 August 2017
Chino Hills & Diamond Bar Seek State Rejection of Tres Hermanos Sale
A new twist to the ongoing saga of the City of Industry re-acquisition of Tres Hermanos Ranch, as the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar are petitioning the State of California to reject the sale or undertake a review to determine if the purchase meets legal criteria. The stated harm to the cities involves the loss of tax revenue from the lower price ($41.5 million rather than in excess of $100 million) paid by the terms of the 24 August sale.
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article.
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article.
29 August 2017
City of Industry Reacquires Tres Hermanos Ranch
In a 4-3 vote last Thursday, the Successor Agency to the City of Industry's Urban Development Agency approved the sale of the 2,500-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch, originally acquired by the UDA forty years ago, to the City for $41.5 million.
Although there had been offers by the City and an Irvine developer of $100 million or more, the lower amount was approved on condition of guarantees by the City for public access to portions of the ranch, in addition to a proposed solar farm intended for the area.
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article about the purchase.
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| Tres Hermanos Ranch from the south, March 2016. |
Read more in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune article about the purchase.
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