BELLFLOWER — Despite the city’s financial problems, City Council members Monday night pulled the plug on a proposed electric vehicle dealership seeking to buy a three-acre lot at 8739 Artesia Blvd.

After a four-hour debate, the City Council voted 5-0 to overturn the decision of the Planning Commission, which on June 21 unanimously recommended approval of Electric Car Sales and Service’s plans to move into the city from Long Beach.

In an unusual move, City Manager Mike Egan appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to the council, saying the electric car dealership was not the type of development sought in that area because it would not generate enough sales tax revenue.

The site is part of the city’s 20-acre West Artesia Boulevard Commercial Highway Specific Plan, along the north side of Artesia Boulevard between Lakewood Boulevard and Downey Avenue.

Council members said they are seeking a high-end, sales tax producing development such as a large car dealership, a shopping center or a “big box store” such as Target, Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Councilman Randy Bomgaars said he was “not impressed” with the city’s one percent state sales tax share from the sale of a Gem Electric Car, which will cost $12,000.

Supporters of the dealership, including a dozen or more residents of the area, told the council that “something is better than nothing,” and that in the current national economy high-end development was unlikely.

They noted that talks with Lowe’s for a development near the Artesia Boulevard site, west of Lakewood, recently fell through because Southern California Edison owns some of the property and will not allow permanent construction on it.

“I’m not convinced we won’t [eventually] get a big box retailer,” Bomgaars said.
“Perhaps this is the most reasonable use for the site,” said Councilman Scott Larsen, who later joined the majority opposed to it.

“We are trying to provide revenue to the city and bring some life to Artesia Boulevard with a green business,” said Pierre Billard Jr., co-owner with his brother Wilford of the Long Beach firm.

The brothers, saying they want to expand their operation, estimated they would generate $5 to $6 million a year in sales taxes at first with the sale of several models of the small but “street legal” electric vehicles including a new franchise from Chrysler Corp., manufacturer of the Gem.

Pierre Billard noted that besides sales tax revenue, the city would get property taxes from the site, which his firm plans to buy from the current owner, Hufcor Airwall, a manufacturing firm which has vacated the site, for $4.5 million.

The dealership would provide jobs for the existing 14 employees and an additional seven, he said.

Billard said his firm would use the existing seven buildings, totaling about 85,600 square feet, for sales, services, leasing and repair of the vehicles and would remove the site to improve its appearance.

Billard said the firm sells new and used vehicles, both all-electric and hybrid, which range in price from $6,500 to about $25,000.

The vehicles include the Club Car, similar in appearance to a two-seat golf cart; the Villager, a street legal vehicle which can go 20 to 30 miles on a single charge and reach speeds of 35 miles per hour and more; and the Gem Electric vehicle, manufactured by the Chrysler Group.

The latter is a four-seat vehicle with top and windshield which can reach a speed of 25 miles per hour and go 30 miles on a charge.

Another model is a two-seater with a pickup-like deck used by many cities for park maintenance.

“We are very protective of the special plan area,” Councilman Dan Koops said. “It’s the last big area available. It’s the future of our city.”

“I still think there is a possibility [of a larger development] there,” Councilman Ray Smith said. “You operate a good business in Long Beach, but is it good for Bellflower?” he asked.

Larry Carlton, a real estate broker for Hufcor, said his firm had advertised nationally for two years and found buyers interested in industrial use but not
commercial use as required by the city.

He and Jeffrey Springer, an attorney for Hufcor, said the city could face legal action by rejecting a dealership, which is listed as an allowed use in the special plan.

Mayor Ray Dunton, whose auto repair business is nearby, said even though the Department of Motor Vehicles lists the Electric Sales company as a dealership, his idea of a dealership is when you can drive your car out of the sales lot.

He noted that the small vehicles, although street legal, reach a speed of 30 to 35 miles per hour and therefore could not drive on Artesia Boulevard, where the posted limit is 40.

City Attorney Joseph Pannone said the council has the authority to interpret what fits the general plan and he would “feel comfortable” defending it in court.