Hearthside Homes drops suit

Hearthside Homes has dropped a lawsuit against Amigos de Bolsa

Chica, an environmental group that has challenged the developer’s

plan to build homes on the Bolsa Chica Mesa.

The decision to drop the suit comes after a San Diego Superior

Court judge last month decided not to overturn a California Coastal

Commission recommendation placing limits on how many homes could be

built on the 183-acre mesa.

Hearthside and property owner Signal Landmark had sued the

commission and Amigos de Bolsa Chica in separate filings.

The suit against the environmental group alleged that its members

had breeched a 1989 agreement by voicing opposition to the project at

a 2000 coastal commission hearing.

In a Monday letter to supporters, Amigos President Linda Moon said

the group “gave up nothing in the settlement, except the right to

recover our fees and costs from Signal.”

Superior Court Judge Sheridan Reed tentatively ruled on Nov. 21

that the commission had acted properly in November 2000 when it

recommended that development on the mesa should be limited to only 65

homes.

The suit against the commission alleged that the limit placed on

the development damaged the financial value of the project by

encroaching the developer’s private property rights.

Reed also cleared out a commission recommendation to set aside the

lower mesa as a foraging area for raptors.

Hearthside is now mulling whether to move forward with a plan to

develop the lower mesa, said Lucy Dunn, Hearthside’s executive vice

president.

The developer submitted an application to the coastal commission

in mid-November to build homes on the upper mesa.

Local environmentalists who have pushed to keep the mesa free from

housing are still hoping to use state grant money to buy the mesa and

set it aside as a nature preserve. That funding would come from

Proposition 50, passed by voters Nov. 5.

“Everyone hopes that with Proposition 50 [funding], the land will

be acquired,” said Shirley Dettloff, a former councilwoman and

coastal commissioner. “There will have to be a cooperative effort.”

At this point, Dunn said Hearthside has not decided to sell its

prime, coastal property.

“The community thinks they’re going to buy it,” Dunn said. “But,

to date, no one has ever made an offer to purchase the property.”

Oak View Community Center changing hands

Following a decision to slash funding for the Oak View Community

Center, city officials are now finalizing a deal with a nonprofit

group to run the center.

The City Council is expected to consider a final agreement with

the group at its Jan. 21 meeting, said Ron Hagan, the city’s special

projects manager.

The City Council in September decided to halt funding for the

center. The center’s annual $140,000 was among several cuts, which

also included the closing of Shipley Nature Center.

No such fate awaits Oak View. Instead of shuttering the center,

the city is negotiating an agreement with Children’s Bureau of

Southern California to run it.

The city plans to farm out the center’s programs to the group,

handing its leaders $51,000 this year in federal grant money.

Former Councilman Peter Green, who retired Monday, said the

council slashed the funding in view of looming cutbacks in funding

coming from state legislators, who are scrambling to balance a nearly

$30 billion budget shortfall.

“We were looking at the budget next year,” Green said. “The

rationale [for cutting funding to Oak View] is that we’re about to

enter into a perfect economic storm that will swamp a lot of boats.”

Sewage spill closes Huntington Harbour

The Orange County Health Care Agency closed a section of

Huntington Harbour on Wednesday after 90 gallons of raw sewage

spilled into the water.

The agency ordered the closure at Christiana Bay between Fisher

Drive and Morning Star Drive.

Swimmers and divers are not permitted to use the area until

bacteria levels in the water return to a lower level that does not

present a health risk.

The spill was caused when a sewage line from a private property

became clogged, Health Care Agency spokesman Larry Honeybourne said.

The area will remain closed until follow-up water quality testing

shows the water is safe for water-contact activities.

Cook appoints Davis to Planning Commission

Councilwoman Debbie Cook has appointed attorney Ron Davis to the

city’s Planning Commission.

Davis, a former Independent columnist, has mounted several

unsuccessful bids for public office. On Nov. 5, he lost to Jennifer

McGrath in the race for city attorney. McGrath won 48% of the vote to

Davis’ 26.9%.

An appointment to the Planning Commission is often a stepping

stone for candidates hoping to run for the City Council.

“I think I can contribute,” Davis said of the appointment. “I look

at it as a way to bring my mind and talents to the city of Huntington

Beach.”

Applications available for block grant funding

The city is taking applications for projects that could be

eligible for federal funding.

An estimated $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grant

funds will be available for the 2003-04 year, which begins Oct. 1.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding the

funding.

Applications have been sent out to more than 60 community groups

and agencies and are also available at the city’s Economic

Development Web site (www.hb.biz.com).

The money is given for services and activities that benefit low

and moderate income residents.

Applications are also available by calling (714) 536-5582.

-- compiled by Paul Clinton