The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 15, to consider a permit for the Bay Theatre restoration project and its potential environmental impact.
If the permit is approved, Dunlap will be allowed to deviate from the Municipal Code in order to rennovate and restore the iconic movie house to the way it looked when it was originally built—and to make it a viable business. The project will include remodeling the lobby and seating areas as well as improving the second and third floors. The permit would also allow the sale of alcohol on site. According to the April 17 Initial Study of the Bay Theatre Restoration, Seal Beach city staff determined there would be little or no environmental impact on the area.
Esther Kenyon, of the Seal Beach Community Performing Arts Association, has been sending out an email encouraging public support for the project. “Please remember, not only does re-opening the theater mean that at last, Seal Beach will have a much needed live cultural performing resource but also, the theater will bring an economic boost to the city with theater attendees from nearby communities who will patronize local businesses before and after their theater experience.”
