WebNews

The key objective of the Hillside Open Space Education Coalition website is to provide user-friendly information dealing with many complex subjects affecting open space within the Puente-Chino Hills area. It is important for those interested in open space preservation to understand what decisions are being made and how they may participate in those decisions. Featured articles will focus on both significant milestone events, as well as highlighting community benefits of open space.

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HOSEC Measure M2 Presentation

On October 1, 2008, HOSEC representatives had the opportunity to make a presentation to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Environmental Oversight Committee in an attempt to acquire funding to purchase open space.

On November 7, 2006, nearly 70% of O.C. voters approved the renewal of Measure M, a half-cent local transportation sales tax.  Of the $11.8 billion in revenue anticipated revenue from Renewed Measure M, $243.5 million has been designated to mitigate the environmental impacts of freeway improvements through the Mitigation and Resource Protection Program.  The purpose of the Environmental Oversight Committee is to make recommendations to the Board of Directors on the allocation of environmental freeway mitigation funds, as well as monitor the implementation of a master agreement between OCTA and state and federal resource agencies.

Brea Mayor Pro Tem John Beauman, City of La Habra Councilmember Steve Simonian and Brea City Manager Tim O’Donnell reviewed HOSEC’s mission, efforts to date, the significance of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor, and how helping HOSEC preserve open space, would mitigate impacts of OCTA’s freeway projects.  Please click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.

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Diamond Bar City Council Approves Pre-annexation
Agreement with Aera Energy
County Officials, Environmental Groups and Area Residents Oppose the Action

Despite opposition from Los Angeles County officials, environmental groups, and area residents, the City of Diamond Bar City Council approved a planning and pre-annexation agreement with Aera Energy at its December 19 City Council meeting. Approval of this agreement moves Aera's controversial development one step closer to being processed outside the oversight of strict environmental regulations applied by the County of Los Angeles , essentially bypassing the Significant Ecological Area (SEA) designation that Diamond Bar does not recognize.. Area has proposed building 2,800 homes and close to a quarter million square feet of commercial development on 1,940 acres of land that would be annexed into Diamond Bar.

The action by Diamond Bar was taken the week before Christmas and during Chanukah, with no public outreach. On behalf of HOSEC, its attorney Michael Colantuono, submitted a letter to the Diamond Bar City Council detailing a number of legal and environmental concerns about the agreement and urging the Council to continue the item until adequate analysis could be completed. The approval occurred over HOSEC and the County's requests for greater public input, especially by residents of Diamond Bar and its adjacent communities. Please click here to read the complete letter.                                                   

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Los Angeles Weighs in on Aera Development
Aera Energy is a subsidiary of Shell-Mobil Oil Company and is pursuing a master-planned housing and commercial development of approximately 3,600 homes, commercial center, golf course, and parks. The land is approximately 70% within Los Angeles County and 30% within Orange County. The site, often referred to as the “missing middle," is important as it is in the heart of land already preserved for open space.  

Olinda Historical Trail Takes You to Brea 's Outback
The City of Brea will soon open the one- mile Olinda Historic Trail to the public. The trail begins at the Olinda Historic Museum and Park, where you'll get a glimpse of what life was like in the oil boomtown of Olinda in the early 1900's.