Page 3 Foothills Sentry FEBRUARY 2025 Talks continue on fate of Sully-Miller dumpsite By Tina Richards A discussion of the future of Milan Capital's dumpsite on former Sully-Miller acreage between the property owner’s agent, an Orange City Council ad hoc committee and vigilant residents, Jan. 15, indicated that very little has changed or been accomplished since an earlier meeting on that topic last April. The Sully-Miller site public discussions were made possible by an agreement between Milan and the City of Orange last year. Milan had expressed a willingness to consider an open space/ park/recreational option for the site, and agreed to negotiate with the city for a non-residential outcome for the property. In return, the city agreed to stop the clock on applications Milan filed in late 2023 to build on sites zoned for housing. The hold on those two applications gave both parties breathing room to explore “mutually acceptable” uses for the Sully-Miller acreage. The sticking point in the negotiations is that Milan allowed the site to become a stockpile for construction waste and other unknown debris. Some of the large waste piles are contaminated and must be either removed completely or remediated. Milan had, in 2022, been directed by the county Local Enforcement Agency (LEA), a subset of the Health Department, to test the soil for contaminants. Contaminants found Those tests were completed in June and findings were released for one mound, Stockpile H, last fall. The company that conducted the tests and analysis, Leighton Engineering, reported that most of the samples were clean, but others did not meet “regulatory standards.” It also noted that some samples reflected levels of arsenic exceeding “acceptable background concentrations.” LEA advised Milan to come up with a plan and timeline for removing the entire stockpile. Milan balked. It suggested that the Department of Toxic Substance Control would be a better monitor for the site than LEA. LEA, in turn, handed it off to the State Water Resources Control Board. The Water Board is considered a better overseer because it has more resources than LEA, plus the dumpsite borders Santiago Creek and sits atop the ancient creek bed, which contains ground water. The new lead agency is the only discernible change in the contamination/cleanup activity for the site, and its only impact on the negotiations is another delay. A Leighton geologist reported that the data from the site borings has been turned over to the Water Board, and it might take six months for that agency to conduct its own analysis. Asked when the public could expect to see data from the rest of the stockpiles, he said Leighton was planning to meet with the Water Board to “define expectations,” but he could not speak to what the Water Board would do. All talk, no action That six-month “wait and see” period lands on top of the four years that Milan has been sparring with the LEA, and since voters denied a zone change in 2020 that would have allowed a housing development on the site. It appears that Milan is losing interest in developing the SullyMiller property. The city sees it as an opportunity for a passive park. But nothing can go forward until the acreage is cleaned up. That hurdle hampers any realistic negotiations. City Manager Tom Kisela, Attorney Mike Vigliotti, Mayor Dan Slater and Councilwoman Ana Gutierrez listened, but said little. Likewise, Milan Consultant Frank Elfend said nothing definitive. It was the dozen community members who have been following the Sully-Miller saga for decades who commented, asked questions and expressed frustration. One suggested that the unreleased test results “must be bad,” otherwise Milan would be anxious to make them public. “If the soil isn’t contaminated,” he said, “why wouldn’t you want everyone to know?” Meeting attendees heard nothing from Elfend about whether the company intends to clean up Orange Elks aid Pasadena Elks The Pasadena Elks Lodge reached out for help in the wake of the Eaton Fire that displaced thousands of people . Exemplifying its motto of “Elks Care, Elks Share," the Orange Elks Lodge stepped up, and collected socks, underwear and sandals, and used cash donations to purchase additional items. Elks community partner, American Legion Post #132 added donations. Orange Elks member Jennifer Weerheim transported the donations to Pasadena. The donations included 30 pairs of sandals, which are used when showering in the high school gyms and fitness centers that have opened their doors. the site, whether it will accept responsibility for its illegal dumping operations or how it intends to navigate the path from contaminated landfill to public amenity. The cart before the horse Elfend did, however, invite Landify, a European-based firm that reclaims distressed properties and turns them into parks and recreation facilities, to make a presentation. Landify President Jonathan Bryden and Director Steve Brown explained how the company imports dirt excavated from construction sites to urban properties to create public spaces of value to the community. The pair displayed photos of several transformed sites in Paris, and noted they had a few projects going in California. While Brown acknowledged that it was “too soon” to engage Landify for the Sully-Miller property, he said he likes to start early because these projects take a very long time. The company also acknowledged the community plans that govern this site. Landify, however, does not do major mitigation. The consensus among the audience was that the presentation was thoughtful, but premature. “It’s early,” Brown said. “We’re just here to show you the possibilities.” Mayor Slater added that Landify would be giving a presentation to the city council in the near future. “So,” an Orange Park Acres resident asked Elfend as the meeting wound down, “you’re dealing in good faith here? We’ve dealt with you in good faith many times in the past, and we’ve always been disappointed.” Elfend assured him that this time the negotiations will continue until the landowner and city reach some kind of agreement on the fate of the Sully-Miller property. Local students make the grade The University of WisconsinMadison has named Malia Mancini of North Tustin to the Dean’s List for 2024-25. She is enrolled in the College of Letters and Science at that institution recognized students named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Marquette University has given Dean’s List honors to Ryan Olsker of Orange and Mikayla Yang of Tustin. Olsker is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy. Yang, a bachelor of arts in advertising. Gianna Gugliotta of Orange was named to the fall President’s List at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe Kansas. The Milan mounds in East Orange. No records were kept of the construction waste amassed on the site. Over time, illegal dumping raised the site elevation from near street level to several stories tall Learn more at eocwd.com Photo by Ken Kribel
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