The City Council this week unanimously approved the introduction of a new city law to limit commercial buildings on Main Street Seal Beach to 25 feet and two stories high. That same night, Associate Engineer David Spitz reported that most of the debris and decking had been removed from the end of the pier.
The height limit ordinance was apparently passed in response to protests from some residents over the office building going up on PCH and Main Street. No commercial property owners spoke against the change to the Main Street Specific Plan. After approving the height limit, the council unanimously directed staff to look at height limits citywide to find other areas where large buildings are allowed.
Four Seal Beach residents, including a member of the Planning Commission, urged the council to approve the new Main Street height limit. More than one speaker cited the office building under construction at PCH and Main, which was approved by staff, as a bad example. Mayor Sandra Massa-Lavitt said that building was “a done deal.”
According to City Attorney Craig Steele most permits the city issued are administrative permits based on the city code and are not discretionary.
District One Councilwoman Ellery Deaton said putting up a building was a property right under the code.
As for the pier, Spitz he expected the removal of the planking to be finished in about two weeks.
Once the decking or planking is finally removed from the burned out end of the pier, city engineers and representatives of the insurance provider will look at the remaining skeleton of the pier to see what repairs are required to reopen the pier. Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos said the city has been contacted by businesses interested the former Ruby’s site at the end of the pier. However, right now the city is focused on repairing the pier. He said it was difficult to discuss the pier site until city officials know what repairs are required. Deaton said she was not aware of any city outreach to find tenants.
Sun Newspapers, Inc. is the owner of a commercial building on Main Street in Seal Beach.
