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City Council approves $600,000 purchase of downtown Bellflower parcels
Summary
The Belfflower City Council voted to buy two adjacent downtown parcels at 16710–16712 Bellflower Boulevard for $600,000, citing downtown revitalization goals; council required environmental testing be incorporated into the purchase agreement and several members recused on related items.
Belfflower’s City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a purchase-and-sale agreement to acquire two downtown parcels at 16710–16712 Bellflower Boulevard for $600,000.
Staff said the combined parcels total about 7,000 square feet and were listed in April for just under $625,000; the negotiated price reflects staff’s assessment of fair market value. Carla, the staff presenter, told the council the city would open a 30-day escrow and explore redevelopment options "consistent with the city's planning goals and downtown revitalization efforts," citing Government Code section 52201 as the legal basis for the acquisition.
Council members raised questions about interim maintenance, timing and environmental risk on the site, noting prior uses that could warrant soil testing. After council asked that environmental review be included as part of the purchase terms, staff agreed to make testing a condition of the agreement.
During the public hearing, a resident asked whether the acquisition would divert funds from other neighborhoods and urged caution. Staff explained that the city will transfer funds from its unassigned general fund into the property-acquisition reserve and described an existing policy that allocates excess general-fund balances to property acquisition when thresholds are met.
Council member Dan Coops moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the purchase and the transfer of necessary funds; Mayor Prom Sanchez seconded. The motion was recorded as approved by roll call. The resolution authorizes execution of the agreement with Annayia Natural Foods LLC and directs the transfer of funds to the property-acquisition reserve. The city said any future lease or sale proceeds from the property will be returned to the general fund.
Next steps include closing escrow, completing the agreed environmental testing, and returning to council with development proposals or other actions related to the site.
