In response to residents’ complaints about the building being built at PCH and Main, Seal Beach Planners voted 4-0 this week to recommend new limits on the size of business buildings on Main Street.
The proposed Zoning Code amendment would limit commercial buildings to two stories at 25 feet. A proposed change to the Main Street Specific Plan would limit lot widths to 50 feet wide and 117.5 feet long. The amendment would also forbid developing contiguous parcels at the same time. Seth Eaker urged planners to reject the proposals, which he said were selectively limiting property rights. He called the proposals an alarmist reaction to the PCH and Main building.
Mike Buhbe reminded commissioners that about 73 percent of Seal Beach voters approved a 25-foot, two-story height limit to Old Town residential buildings. Commissioner Deb Machen said she had heard from both sides, but supported the measure to preserve the city’s character.
The City Council will make the final decision on the proposals.
District Four Commissioner Patty Campbell raised concerns about height limits in other parts of Seal Beach, but the assistant city attorney advised planners to only take action on the proposals before them because those were the only issues brought up in the public notice announcing the meeting.
Sun Newspapers, Inc., is the owner of a commercial building on Main Street in Seal Beach.
