HUNTINGTON BEACH : Official Appeals City OK of PCH Project

Planning Commission Chairman Roy Richardson has filed an appeal with the California Coastal Commission, challenging the City Council’s approval of a $21-million redevelopment project that includes an 80-unit condominium complex along Pacific Coast Highway.

Richardson claims in his appeal that the proposal for the condominiums fails to meet the intent of the coastal element of the city’s General Plan. The policy requires that at least the ground floor of buildings in the redevelopment area be reserved for businesses catering to beach visitors, he said.

Under the Coultroup Development Co. proposal, which was approved 5-2 by the City Council last week, the condos would be built on Pacific Coast Highway between 5th and 6th streets.

The project would also include two commercial buildings of 40,000 square feet each. One would be built next to the condos on Pacific Coast Highway at 5th Street, the other on Main Street next to the Jack’s Surf Board building, which is under construction. The two buildings would contain beach shops and other retail stores, a restaurant and offices.

Richardson said he filed the appeal as a private resident and not on behalf of the Planning Commission, which earlier deadlocked on the project, 3-3.

Mayor Grace Winchell, who voted in favor of the project, said she believes it complies with the General Plan.

The project, “when taken together, represents approximately a 50-50 mix” of residential and commercial, she said. “That’s our ultimate goal.”

Councilman Ralph Bauer, who, along with Councilman David Sullivan, voted against the project, said he strongly supports the appeal and intends to testify “in concert” with Richardson when the Coastal Commission hears the appeal.

Bauer, too, said the project conflicts with the city’s coastal element that stipulates what kind of development should occur on coastal sections.

Coastal Commission representatives gave no indication when the appeal will be heard.