Bay City project
The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve Bay City Partners’ Ocean Place project, the most controversial issue of 2012 in Seal Beach. The dissenting vote was cast by District Commissioner Goldberg. The issue would move to the City Council, which would also approve the project—with a large string attatched.
Planning Commissioner Robert Goldberg objected to what he called the movement of 1.4 acres of land from the open space area of the project to the development area of the project.
The majority of the planners were ultimately convinced that a hotel would not be a viable use for the development area. Consultant Larry Kosmont said the market for ground-up hotels had “tanked” a year earlier and that had not changed.
Parks Commissioner Carla Watson spoke against changing the zoning.
“If I cannot sell my home for a profit, can I come to the Planning Commission and change it to a bed and breakfast?” she asked.
Neighborhood residents opposed a hotel use for the property.
Commisioner Sandra Massa-Lavitt disagreed with project opponents who did not approve of the Environmental Impact Report. She said the Final EIR was “definitely adequate.”
Massa-Lavitt said that for the public to get the open space they wanted, the northern part of the property had to be developed.
Shorehouse Cafe torn down
Nothing stays the same forever. The Shorehouse Café, which had been empty since closing in 2010, was torn down to make way for 23 parking spaces in the shopping center on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rossmoor seeks new manager
In the neighboring unincorporated community of Rossmoor, General Manager Henry Taboada reduced his work hours as he prepared to become a part time consultant for the Rossmoor Community Services District.
The change was not entirely voluntary—California law forbids the use of an independent contractor in a job that could be held by a full time employee. So the district announced that it was looking for Taboada’s successor.
Council OKs Ocean Place—with a catch
The Seal Beach City Council tentatively approved the Ocean Place project.
The unanimous vote came with a string attached: the property owners would have to give 6.4 acres of oceanfront property to the city rather than sell the land for $1.1 million. Project Manager Selich said the partners would meet in two weeks to discuss giving the open space to the city.
The city had originally planned to buy the land, but state officials would not allow the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency to spend money on the city’s portion of the project. As for the housing project the Bay City Partners planned, they reduced the number of homes they proposed to build to 32.
Councilman Gary Miller was concerned abut the possibility that there was asbestos on the site.
City Attorney Quinn Barrow said risk disclosure requirements would have to be based on what experts said.
Environmental experts had already said that the asbestos risk on the property was within limits imposed by regulators.
