In an effort to expand and enhance public green space, the Signal Hill City Council approved the relocation of two families and a business as part of a land acquisition.
A two-story structure with a business on the first floor and two residential units on the second floor sit on 21st Street and Cherry Avenue, at roughly 2,000 square feet. In August of last year, this property went on sale, and the City expressed interest in purchasing it the following month. The move falls in line with the goal of public space expansion, laid out in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan from 2021 and the Civic Master Plan in 2024.
Signal Hill purchased the property on June 26, and notified tenants shortly after. The purchase will allow the City to expand Signal Hill Park and the Civic Center, as well as open the possibility of building additional facilities.
Following the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act and the California Relocation Assistance Act, the City is required to relocate existing tenants and cover eligible relocation and moving expenses. A consulting company, Monument, was hired to prepare a tenant relocation plan and provide supportive services related to the relocation.
The City Council approved a roughly $123,000 plan to help the two families and business owner afford moving expenses and rental subsidies for 42 months. The costs for this will be taken from the City’s Park Reserve Development Fund. The residents and business will be vacated by the end of December, City staff said.
Since both families are considered low-income, the rental subsidies are based on their income rather than the change in rent. Monument conducted interviews with the families to help them relocate to their desired city, and will provide them with referral listings and application assistance. The two tenants are paying $1,400 and $1,500 for their unit, and the average rent in their chosen cities are around $1,800.
The City did not specify how much money the families will be receiving monthly, but it will begin in December and continue for 42 months. The final payment amounts will depend on the verified household income and the new rent and utility costs for their new unit.
The business however, does not receive the same kind of subsidies. Their relocation cost is based on an estimate of how much it will cost to move the equipment inside, according to a spokesperson from Monument. The business will receive a maximum of $10,000 to cover the cost of permits and other paperwork needed to reestablish their business elsewhere.
As of early September the consulting firm said they have not been able to interview the business owner, but since it’s a photography studio, they don’t anticipate the equipment will be expensive to move.
Barring any issues, the tenants of the business and residential units are expected to be moved out by the end of December.
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Signal Hill approves relocation plan of two families and a business – Signal Tribune
