Town of Apple Valley Should Not be Involved in Land Speculation

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The Economic Development Department currently lists “hot properties” on its Internet web site.  Property listings and property sales should be the job of private sector realtors.  Showing property listings on a publicly funded web site reeks of special treatment for special interests.  

The Town Council has been involved with land sales and land transfers between private parties. The Town Council acted in secret to purchase land and transfer that property to the developers of the Wal-Mart distribution center. Through the Economic Development Department, the Town Council concealed the name and operational activities of the ultimate user of the distribution center during the Environmental Review Process. 

The involvement of the Town Council and the town staff in speculative land use development creates the perception of a “done deal” before required public hearings are held.  The activities of the Town Council and staff in participating in zone changes and land-use development at the initial stages deprive the citizens of Apple Valley of their right to due process. 

The Economic Development Department should be aware of properties for sale and offer interested parties the names of realtors who have listings available.  However, the Town should not participate in negotiations related to the sale of land for private development or speculation.  Specific written policies should be adopted to limit town involvement. 

We should restrict the Town’s staff from presenting as “doable” any land use zone change or land use activity not specifically allowed by the Development Code and design standards. The town staff should be required to publicly disclose any discussions or activities by the town officials and staff regarding General Plan or Develop Code revisions that are specific to any private party.  

Update

Since my campaign for a Town Council Seat in 2006 and the publication of the danfortowncouncil website, the Town Staff has “taken down” its HOT PROPERTIES listings. I do not know if the Economic Development staff is still promoting specific properties. If elected to the Town Council, I will call for this practice to stop. I believe our town staff should be open and accessible to all opportunities for growth and development. I believe we can pursue the goal of sustainable growth without playing favorites regarding specific properties.