Minutes of the April 21, 2003 Board meeting

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane and Soundwall Project -- Forty-five people crowded the Hacienda-LaPuente School District board hearing room on April 21 to hear representatives from the MetropolitanTransportation Authority (MTA) and Caltrans report on the proposed HOV lane and soundwall project along the Pomona Freeway in Hacienda Heights. The $87.9 million project will be underway by mid-2005. The State and County representatives explained that the funding for the HOV lanes and the soundwalls comes from separate sources. Walls have been constructed where they can be constructed independently from the HOV lanes. The reason for holding off on constructing the soundwalls in Hacienda Heights is that the projects cannot be separated because of the need to realign the freeway for the HOV lanes. Residents in attendance expressed their frustrations about the never ending delays in the soundwall project -- the only way to mitigate the unbearable noise from the freeway.

Orange Grove Middle School Park Proposal -- The Board approved a motion to initiate discussions between the Hacienda-La Puente School District and the PuenteHills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority regarding acquisition of the 10-acre parcel of open space vacant land at the west end of Orange Grove Middle School. It is proposed that the property be used as a site for developing a nature park dedicated to native habitat walking trails, educational displays and isolated picnic tables.

HHIA Website -- Charles Norris and Rick Lacy reported that on April 11, the proposed HHIA website became operational. They are still modifying the format of the website and are receptive to suggestions on how to make it more effective in helping HHIA grow. Mike Hughes has contacted Supervisor Knabe's office to request a $755 grant to finance the cost of creating the website.

Proposed Construction of a Condominium at 15026 Clark Avenue -- Developers of a proposed project to construct eight two-story condos appeared before the Board. Zoning Chair, Mike Williams, will review the proposal and report back to the Board at the May business meeting.

Montellano Landslide -- Mike Hughes reported that after twenty years of litigation, the abandoned home adjacent to the Montellano landslide has been approved for sale.

Ninth Annual Jim Davis Beautification Day -- Jim Snyder reported that this year's beautification day will be held on June 28 between 8 a.m. and noon. Participants will meet at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building located on Colima Road at Dawnhaven.