HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved a plan to update the city’s Downtown parking

plan, which encompasses the area between Pacific Coast Highway and Acacia

Avenue, and 6th and 2nd streets. The plan was drawn up in 1995 and

limited the amount of development to about 500,000 square feet, as well

as the parking available Downtown.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Based on a study conducted last year, the parking update increases the

development limit by about 215,000 square feet. When all available

development space is taken, the study shows the area will be strapped for

parking for only a few days a year in July. Planning commissioners and

some Downtown business owners said the study was carried out under

inaccurate conditions, because of beach and street closures last year.

Vote: 4 to 1, with Councilman Dave Sullivan dissenting and council

members Pam Julien and Dave Garofalo abstaining because of conflicts of

interests.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council postponed a decision on whether to expand the Huntington

Beach Police Department parking lot at the northeast corner of Main

Street and Utica Avenue by 90 spaces. The lot has 108 spaces, and city

officials said a study of the entire Civic Center area is required before

proceeding.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The expansion project calls for installing new, secured parking stalls

to meet the demands of the Police Department and protect equipment within

squad cars. The proposal was continued from the last council meeting, to

give the city attorney’s office time to determine if Councilman Tom

Harman, who appealed the project’s approval by the Planning Commission,

had a conflict of interest. It was later determined such a conflict did

not exist.

Harman and residents living near the project oppose the plan because

it would increase noise at the street corner and cause the destruction of

seven-tenths of an acre of open, green space to make way for cars. There

is also some cost involved in building a lot wall.

Vote: 7 to 0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council agreed to change the process for choosing members of the

Public Works Commission, opting to have each council member select a

commissioner.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Unlike other council-appointed groups that require each council member

to make an appointment, public works commissioners are chosen

collectively by two council members.

Councilman Dave Sullivan, who made the proposal to change the process,

said the Public Works Commission has great fiscal and review

responsibilities and that it should be brought in line with other city

boards and commissions.

Vote: 5 to 0 with Councilmen Peter Green and Tom Harman absent.

NEXT MEETING

The City Council will reconvene at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 in the council

chambers of City Hall. A study session will be held at 5 p.m. City Hall

is at 2000 Main St.