Politics & Government
Legal Options On Table for Shell Station
The city has reached its limit with the oft-delayed renovation of the gas station on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive.
Like a child staring at an Advent Calendar, the date of Dec. 24 held a special significance for the members of the Diamond Bar city staff.
It was the date they would be free to pounce on what has become a blight in the city.
It was the date the building permit for the Shell station on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive expired.
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The station, which started the process of turning its service bays into a mini-market and car wash two years ago, has been beset by delays due to money, issues with contractors and design plans. It had its original permit extended in April, and had hoped to be finished by this past summer.
But it hasn't happened, and the city plans to explore its legal options.
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"We've been trying everything to encourage the project along, but we haven't had the ability to take legal actions," said Greg Gubman, the city's community development director during a phone interview. "We've been pursuing our legal options with the city attorney to see what we can do to get this underway again.
"Everybody ran out of patience with this a long time ago."
The station has progressed since the permit was extended in April, but still appears to have a long way to go. Tuesday, much of the building was still surrounded by green wind screens, the car wash mechanism is there -- but not installed -- and the plastic covering the Shell name was ripped and flapping in the breeze.
"We get a lot of complaints," Gubman said. "People are getting impatient. It's just so unsightly and not keeping with the Diamond Bar image."
The big delay has been money, station co-owner . One contractor quit after a dispute over payments. And construction was originally stopped because the project diverted from its original plans with the city.
But after two years, the city is looking for a resolution, Gubman said.
"We're looking at our legal options now," he said. "We've consulted with the city's attorney to figure out which way to go. We're getting our game plan sketched out so we can go forward."