Ratkovich’s Attorney Threatens City of Alhambra

Alhambra City Hall (Photo – Frank Qiu)

On May 18, 2021, one day before the City Council of Alhambra planned to deliberate on the latest negotiated revision to The Villages development, Wayne Ratkovich’s attorney, Alexander M. DeGood, sent a threatening letter to the City Council.

By Melissa Michelson

Before the City of Alhambra met in an emergency closed-door session, a few members of the public spoke, urging the Council not to be distracted by what one member of the public, Todd Jones, called legal ‘scare tactics’ and bullying.  In his public comment Jones cited SB167 Housing Accountability Act Section H, contending the project isn’t covered by the Act mentioned in the lawyer’s letter because it doesn’t include required levels of very low- or low-income housing called for by the Act.  Katie Chan, a commissioner on Alhambra’s Environmental Commission, expressed her frustration and anger at Wayne Ratkovich and urged the council to say “no”.

In the May 17, 2021 letter, DeGood writes, “The Housing Accountability Act limits the City’s authority to deny a housing project or reduce its intended density.”

DeGood contends that the applicants, Ratkovich and Elite International Investment, have “offered to provide significant affordable housing,” and should the City deny the project, that would “give rise to an action under the Act,” forcing the City to accept the development without any affordable housing.

The developers and sub-committee of the City Council have been negotiating since February 10, 2021 in a total of seven meetings, but the quantity and level of affordable housing units has remained at 75 of the 545 luxury rental units, and none of the 294 for-sale units. The 75 units would be offered at the moderate-income rental level.

Also see May 15, 2021: “The Villages Developers Haven’t Budged – Alhambra Council’s Concerns Still Not Addressed”.

> Hover over the document to advance through pages: