State Coastal Commission OKs the development of 315 homes

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The California Coastal Commission approved a plan

Wednesday to develop 315 homes on a 54-acre site in the Seacliff area

bordered by Palm Avenue, Goldenwest Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

Commissioners also OKd the development of an adjacent 96 acres for

commercial facilities for tourism -- such as retail shops, restaurants,

hotels, museums and offices -- as soon as oil production at the site is

completed.

The 96-acre site, which is owned and operated AERA Energy Resources

LLC of Bakersfield, will serve as an oil field for another 15 to 20

years, the specific plan shows.

Developer PLC Land Co. had hoped to build up to 500 homes on the

54-acre property but scaled back the project to 315 homes in response to

city staff recommendations.

City Planner Mary Beth Broeren said staff recommended the number of

homes be reduced, in part, to create more space for a public park and

also because neighborhood residents asked for fewer homes.

In February, the City Council approved a specific plan that allows for

the development of up to 315 homes on the site.

“Whenever [the city] can make a reduction in density, it is a good

thing,” said Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff, who also serves on the state

Coastal Commission.

Though the project has passed the first few hurdles, it still must go

before the Planning Commission for final approval in the fall, Broeren

said. The developer needs approval for its subdivision map and a coastal

development permit.

The project will not need another approval from the City Council,

Broeren said, because council members have approved the specific plan.

The first phase of homes is expected to be done and available for

purchase by the spring, Holman said. The rest of the project is expected

to be completed by 2003.