State leaders may waive some rules for proposed stadium project

With just days left in this year’s legislative session, backers of a plan to build a pro football stadium in the city of Industry are aggressively lobbying legislative leaders on a plan to waive environmental and planning rules for the proposed 75,000-seat facility.

The lawmakers have pledged to consider the request.

Billionaire real estate developer Ed Roski pitched his idea — as a job-creating machine — to Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) in a meeting today that also included Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Roski gained some yardage.

"The project may be an important opportunity to create thousands of high-wage jobs," Alicia Trost, a spokeswoman for Steinberg, said after the meeting in his office. "He is considering it."

Shannon Murphy, a spokeswoman for Bass, said, "If there’s a way to maximize jobs with minimal impact on the environment, this speaker’s going to look at it."

The proposal also would protect the stadium project from lawsuits, such as one filed by the adjacent city of Walnut in an attempt to block it. Word of Roski's lobbying has officials in Walnut worried.

"If the California Legislature gets involved, it certainly takes away local control," said Rob Wishner, Walnut’s city manager. The proposed stadium is "not a statewide issue,"’ he said.

—Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Comments

[Long Time Resident in the S.G Valley]

You gotta be kidding, High Wage Jobs? Only for a few, may be the football players??

[Person for Truth and Justice]

How can a 75,000 people stadium have a minimum impact on the environment? Please study the SEIR then you will find how many roads need to be widened to accomodate the traffic, how it will drain the already scarce water supply in California, how much pollution it will create during construction. When the world is promoting more lanes for bicycles, this project is promoting more lanes for autos.

The approved 2004 Industry Business Center Plan will create high paying jobs not the proposed stadium plan.

[Diamond Bar Resident]

Mr. Roski could care less what this project is going to do to the city of Walnut, or Diamond Bar. As it is right now we have traffic daily and accidents almost once or twice a month. We don't need or want a stadium that's just going to bring pollution, traffic, noise, crime and drunk drivers. If he thinks it's such a great idea why doesn't he build the stadium in his neighborhood or better yet move next to the forum or coliseum. I"m guessing he probably lives in a gated community far away from any sports stadium. If the California Legislature gets involved and helps Mr. Roski because he is paying everyone off it just goes to show what a bunch of crooks politicians are. We the residents of Walnut, and Diamond Bar that care for the safety of our children do not want this project to get approved. Please stop writing articles on the rich political donor and write stories on the people that are against the stadium and don't have the money to buy everyone off.

[Walnut Resident]

They will say anything to build the football stadium and destroy a peaceful community.

[theHoundDawg]

I'm all for the stadium project, and after a long, long, now 15-year NFL drought in LA County, the overall plan is the most promising of the many proposals that have come and gone. However, Roski and his minions have to play by the rules, and follow vital environmental regulations. There cannot be any exemptions for them; they can well pay the needed cost, and if it takes an additional year, so be it.

Ms. Bass and Mr. Steinberg - you don't really think for a moment that Roski is motivated by job creation? If so, I've got this idea for an old gravel pit in Irwindale. But seriously, instead of cow-towing to billionaires, why don't you spend a little time investigating and regulating health insurance carriers and their obscene practices and profits.

[Stadium Supporter]

I see nothing wrong with the stadium as long as Roski follows the rules and gets no special favors. Cash for Votes...Same old story in our Capital. Both Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) have managed to screw up everything they touch. I wonder how many of our elected officials sell out to Roski and get a fat check in return.

[NICK]

ALL U people are lame according to u people only the rich deserve a peaceful neighborhood pull the stick out of your you know what anyone that crys about my comment has a stick up there u know what