Standard Pacific condos a disgrace

There seems to be a total breakdown at city hall. The approval of the Standard Pacific Development project is evidence of that.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Mauer asked how such an unsuitable project could come before the City Council and the City Council had a gun to their heads to approve it or face possible litigation due to a looming deadline.

Mauer and Mayor Bozajian were the only ones to really listen to local residents and make attempts to compromise.

Council members Groveman, Wolfson and Washburn obviously had their minds made up even before they walked into the room.

Councilmember Washburn said "The city needs housing." Fine. Instead of building estates on the east side of town that few can afford, why isn't the city building affordable housing units there? Or condos? Or apartments? Because the west side of town continues to be the dumping ground and the vehicle for everything the city needs to accomplish but won't do on the east side.

When is the city going to learn that developers will say anything in order to get their project approved. The Albertsons shopping center originally had plans for a huge fountain at the entrance. We ended up with a pitiful little fountain tucked in a corner that occasionally works. The Shea homes are the ultimate example of poor oversight by the city. Naturally SPD says they won't repeat Shea's mistakes, but who will be watching them? No doubt the residents- not the city.

The approval of the SPD project is a total disgrace, a disservice to the scenic corridor and a slap in the face to local residents. It truly makes you question who the city's elected officials and city staff are working for- residents or developers. Karen Tiffany Calabasas