Is the price right?

Tariq Malik

Huntington Beach has taken on the hunt for funds that could lead

toward the ultimate buy -- the Bolsa Chica mesa.

In a torn vote Monday, the City Council decided to pursue local, state

and federal money that would be used for the eventual purchase of the

mesa. The decision garnered a 4-3 vote from the council, with Councilmen

Ralph Bauer, Dave Garofalo and Peter Green dissenting.

The impetus behind the move stemmed from Mayor Pam Julien Houchen, who

brought it forward in order to start a process that could lead to the

preservation of the mesa.

The mesa comprises about 200 acres along Warner Avenue, near Pacific

Coast Highway and state-protected wetlands. Bolsa Chica serves as a

pit-stop for migrating birds making their way up the Pacific Flyway.

“I think it’s important for our own children and grandchildren, to be

able to tell them that we did something,” Julien Houchen said, of the

effort to preserve the land.

Julien Houchen said Lucy Dunn, executive vice president of developer

Hearthside Homes, has said she would take part in discussions on the

matter, and even suggested possible funding sources.

When contacted Tuesday, Dunn said she could not comment on the issue.

Hearthside Homes and Signal Landmark have filed suit against the

California Coastal Commission regarding its November decision to curtail

development to 65 acres on the mesa’s upper bench, despite a previously

approved design for homes on 183 acres on its upper and lower portions.

In 1970, initial plans for Bolsa Chica included about 5,700 homes, a

marina, hotels and an ocean inlet among other things, though the

extensive development design has been scaled back considerably in the

interim.

Development of the mesa originally gained Julien Houchen’s support

because it would fund wetlands restoration efforts. However, since the

state took over the wetlands she has supported mesa preservation.

Many residents at the Monday meeting turned out in support of Julien

Houchen’s effort.

“The legacy of the Bolsa Chica mesa and wetlands is not only a quality

of life issue for the city, but also a unique draw,” said Stan Krutsick,

of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust. “It will become one of the reasons to

visit Huntington Beach, just another reason to come here and nowhere

else.”

Amigos de Bolsa Chica President Linda Moon said private land acquired

by willing sellers at Bolsa Chica will only enhance the city’s ecological

resources and be an asset to our community.

Some speakers stressed that money for the acquisition could be found

in a number of areas, including competitive grants, as well as bond funds

from Proposition 12.

Not all city officials, however, went along with the idea.

Green said he felt Monday’s discussion was unnecessary because the

city already discussed its desire to see the Bolsa Chica mesa preserved

in 1997. And the city, he added, will not find available funds unless its

willing to spend some itself.

“We’ll have to show some good faith and put up matching funds,” Green

said, adding that the city did that when it sought money to build at the

pier.

Some have said it could cost up to $200 million to purchase the mesa

land, an amount that dwarfs the $25 million in a bill proposed by

Assemblyman Tom Harman’s (R-Huntington Beach) for the same purpose.

Bauer, supported by Green, said an independent appraisal of the mesa

is necessary to get a grip of its worth, and stressed that it is also

unincorporated and outside the city’s jurisdiction.

Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva, he said, should be notified of the

issue.

“I think there is a 7-0 vote on the goal here,” said Garofalo. “My

only question is on the path we take to get there.”

The city will also explore funding issues involved in acquiring the

mesa through the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and work to

confirm whether Signal and Hearthside would willingly part with the land

if given a fair price.