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After heated public comments, Ontario council approves purchase of Prop 70 acres for Grand Park plan
Summary
Council approved acquisition of roughly 73 acres of Prop 70-protected land for incorporation into the county’s Grand Park plan after residents and conservation groups raised strong objections citing Prop 70’s intent; staff said the State Department of Grants and Local Services found the transaction consistent and the vocal vote carried 5-0.
The Ontario City Council approved a purchase and transfer related to approximately 73 acres of land previously protected under Proposition 70, prompting extended public comment and objections from preservation groups and residents who argued the transaction violated voters’ intent.
Multiple speakers told the council they opposed removing Prop 70 protections for the parcel at the northwest corner of Merrill/Bond View (described in the staff report as 73 acres). Speakers raised concerns about permanent loss of agricultural land, the adequacy of mitigation, transparency of the process and the price. One commenter quoted a purchase price figure of $995 million but staff and other speakers clarified the transaction discussed by staff was for $95,000,000 and that the State Department of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) had reviewed and deemed the county’s land plan consistent with Prop 70 (staff’s characterization of the county plan).
Randy Beckendam, executive director of the Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation, and several community organizers urged retained agricultural conservation and warned that replacement parkland does not equal preserved farmland. Karen May and Joaquin Castillejos (representing CCAJ) said the land currently supports active dairy operations, row crops, wells and irrigation, and argued voters intended permanent conservation rather than replacement.
City counsel and staff noted that the county’s land plan and the state review were part of the administrative record and that, per staff, $95,000,000 in county reinvested Prop 70 funds would carry the same protections forward under the county plan — staff said the State Department of Grants and Local Services had reviewed and found the transaction consistent with Prop 70 requirements. After deliberation, the council voted by vocal vote to approve the action (Mayor Leon, Mayor Pro Tem Wapner, Councilmember Bowman, Councilmember Perrotta, Councilmember Macias — vote recorded as 5-0).
Council direction and next steps: staff and city legal counsel said the county’s plan and state review provide the legal path for the transaction; staff will proceed with the purchase/transfer steps as approved. Several public commenters requested clearer documentation and stronger, permanent conservation assurances.
