CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, tentatively

approved plans to turn the southeast sector of Huntington Beach into a

redevelopment zone. The council followed the advice of the Planning

Commission, which approved the move on April 9.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city will now begin implementing plans to improve the area, which

is bounded by Newland Street, Pacific Coast Highway, Magnolia Street and

Hamilton Avenue.

The plan would give the city a stream of revenue from property taxes

to revitalize an area that includes the AES Power Plant and the

Ascon/NESI toxic dump.

Council members said the move would lead to an infusion of funds to

clean up the dump, upgrade roads and install parkland.

The city is also planning to tap in to a portion of the $240-million

AES spent to upgrade its plant. The city would be entitled to as much as

$2.4 million a year for improvements.

The city would also receive $475,000 in non-housing revenue in the

first year of the plan and $491,000 in the second year, city officials

have said.

Officials have also decided to remove adult businesses from the list

of prohibited uses for the area.

The council is expected to consider the full environmental review of

the plan on June 3. At that time, members could grant a final approval.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR/ AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council agreed to study a proposal to develop five

councilmanic districts in Huntington Beach, which would cut two seats

from the seven-member panel.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The council will consider whether to endorse a proposal by Scott

Baugh, a lobbyist and former assemblyman, to shift the city to districts.

Baugh has submitted a ballot measure for the November election.

Council members said the reduction of the council would stretch them

too thin in monitoring commissions and regional developments.

Switching to districts would also lead to less focus on issues outside

of their own districts, council members said.

Mayor Debbie Cook said council districts have not worked in cities

like Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR/ AGAINST

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I would argue that redrawing the lines of council members would

reduce the amount of representation people get,” Councilman Ralph Bauer

said. “It’s just not a very good idea.”

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council voted to reconsider an April 1 decision to let

residents off the hook for $2.5 million in street improvements to their

neighborhood.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Councilwoman Pam Houchen has proposed a 50-50 split for the city and a

developer to share the costs of the improvements with the residents.

The area under consideration is bordered by Central Park and Ellis

Avenue on the north, Huntington and Main streets on the east, Yorktown

and Clay avenues on the South and the city’s boundary on the west.

The city and developer PLC spent the funds to add traffic lanes and

improve water reservoirs and storm drains in the neighborhood.

The improvements were required under the city’s 1990 approval of dwellings built by Pacific Coast Homes.

The council is expected to consider the issue at its May 6 meeting.

Councilwoman Connie Boardman voted against the move.

Vote: 6-1

IN FAVOR/ AGAINST

WHAT THEY SAID:

“Obviously, I’m going to support this,” Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff

said. “The property owners out there are getting a real free ride.”

NEXT MEETING

When: May 6, 7 p.m.

Where: City Hall, 2000 Main St.