Duarte Promotes “Good Neighbor Plan” Compromise for Vulcan Expansion to Save Van Tassel Ridge
Azusa Meeting Agenda for July 6, 2 010 at 6:30pm
In a unanimous 5-0 vote at its June 21 meeting, the Azusa Council directed staff to return to the negotiating table with Vulcan with the objective of coming back to the council with an amended application that will address the issues and satisfy the stated concerns of council members. The council also directed staff to set a new public hearing on July 6 for reconsideration of Vulcan’s application for modification of its conditional use permit and revised reclamation plan.
The Azusa City Council laid out a list of issues and concerns that Vulcan Materials Company will need to address if the company wants approval for its revised mining and reclamation plan. On the list of issues Azusa wants Vulcan to address to its satisfaction are:
- Save Van Tassel Ridge.
- Two-year completion of micro-benching/re-vegetation of Mayan Steps at a 100% level.
- An $80 million performance bond.
- An airtight agreement guaranteeing that Vulcan ceases mining in 2038.
- Azusa deeded the reclaimed land for open space in 2038.
- Institution of on-site monitoring for air quality.
- Annual rather than bi-annual reviews of the Vulcan operation.
- An additional tonnage tax to provide revenues to fund social and recreational programs in the city of Azusa, which could include a new library.
- An endowment fund and/or set aside funds to maintain and establish trailheads, and acquire open space.
At the meeting, Duarte City attorney Jeff Melching also addressed the City of Azusa on potential violations of the Brown Act during its June 7 City Council meeting when it both agendized and acted to reconsider its May 17 vote to deny Vulcan’s request. The Brown Act requires that there must be an immediate need for action to late-agendize a matter, and, that the immediate need must have come to the attention of the local agency after the agenda was posted. Instead, Duarte officials contend that this move was an after-the-fact, change of mind by some members of the Azusa Council.
Duarte City officials have also been meeting with Save Our Canyon and Azusa Council members to promote a hybrid concept called “the Good Neighbor Plan.” The Good Neighbor Plan provides 35.6 million cubic yards in material for Vulcan; an amount comparable to the remaining reserves levels under the currently approved l988 plan. It also preserves Fish and Van Tassel Ridges, while keeping mining out of sight from adjoining Duarte and Azusa neighborhoods. They will be advocating for this concept at the hearing on July 6 at Azusa City Hall. For additional information on the City of Duarte’s response to the Vulcan Expansion Plan, please contact Karen Herrera at 626 357-7931.
Documents related to Vulcan Mining Proposal
Supervisor Antonovich Letter, July 6, 2010
Sierra Club Letter to Azusa, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010 Letter from Duarte to Azusa
Brown Act Letter from Duarte to Azusa, July 2, 2010
Good Neighbor Presentation
Azusa Conditional Use Permit
Sierra Club Letter, June 21. 201
Duarte letter re: May 17, 2010 Meeting
Duarte letter to Azusa re: Supplemental Analysis Volumetric, May 17, 2010
Effects on Van Tassel Watershed, May 12, 2010
Vulcan Even Swap Discredited, May 12, 2010
Duarte letter re: Slope Stability, May 13, 2010
Duarte letter re: Watershed, May 13, 2010
Duarte Letter to Azusa re: May 17, 2010 Hearing
Azusa Schedules Meeting for May 3 April 29, 2010
Azusa Cancels April 26 Meeting April 26, 2010
Vulcan on Shaky Ground, April 22, 2010
Duarte Letter On Noticing to Azusa, April 19, 2010
AQMD Issues Another Comment Letter to Azusa Citing Additional Public Health Concerns About Vulcan’s Proposed Expanded Mining Project Article April 19, 2010
Congresswoman Chu Eye Opener April 17, 2010
Facts and speculation about Vulcan Mining, April 7, 2010
Geological Study Findings
Geologist Letter
Between a rock and a beatiful place
Letter to San Gabriel Valley Tribune
AQMD EIR Review Letter
Letter to the Editor
Letter to Barry Wallerstein, AQMD
Azusa seeks financial safety net for mining proposal
Letters to the editor: Standing together
Letter to the editor: What about Glendora?
Azusa City Manager questions Duarte's motives, credibility regarding mining proposal
City Manager Darrell George's Statement
Vulcan Hasn't Kept Promises
San Gabriel Mining Proposal Upsets Residents, March 18, 2010, ABC Local
Mining Proposal Maddens Duarte, March 18, 2010, LA Times
Azusa mining battle sounds familiar to old timers
Duarte Letter to Azusa City Council
Glendora Comment Letter
No major impact on air from Azusa mining, regulators say, February 28, 2010, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Mayor Makes Special Delivery to Azusa February 17, 2010
AQMD Comment Letter
Antonovich Letter
Sierra Club Comments on EIR
Pasadena Star News Article by Mayor Margaret Finlay & Councilman John Fasana
Azusa Planning Commission agenda and documents (below)
PC Staff Report Final 2-24-10
ExhibitA-D
CUP Reso Final 2-24-10
EIR Reso - Final 2-24-10
Development Agreement Reso - Final 2-24-10
Development Agreement
Save Our Canyon Comments
Duarte City Official Comments on Vulcan EIR 80 pages, February 18, 2010
DUSD Resolution
Letter from Duarte Legal Counsel to Azusa
Letter from Congressmember Judy Chu
Material Safety Data Sheet on Vulcan
Air Quality Report
Vulcan News on www.dctvduarte.com
Letter to the Planning Commission February 2010
Portantino Support Letter February 2010
Impact to Mountain Aesthetics January 2010
Letter from Duarte Attorneys to Azusa Planning Commission January 13, 2010
Azusa Notice of Preparation EIR Letter May 12, 2009
Notice of Preparation Response Letter June 9, 2009
Notice of Draft EIR December 2009
Request Response to EIR December 2009
Report Outlines Azusa Mining Impacts on Duarte, December 23,2009, Pasadena Star News
Azusa City Politics and Dust from the San Gabriels San Gabriel Valley Tribune June 29, 2009
City of Azusa Response to San Gabriel Valley Tribune Article June 30, 2009
