It was a good year to be here
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
And so ends another year. Despite the ever-constant threat of war
and the sluggish economy, I count 2002 as my best in several.
Sure, it held its share of aggravations and hardships, but
overall, it was a triumph. Personally, I developed and nurtured
friendships I will cherish always.
Professionally, it was my goal -- one I shared with a dedicated
group of journalists -- to inform the residents of Huntington Beach
of the most important happenings in the city and to deliver that news
in a clear, concise, unbiased format. I think we knew success, and I
hope you agree.
The city, its leaders and residents were kind enough to provide
ample fodder to keep our lives charged and interesting here.
I have no doubt that will continue in 2003.
Already, there are events, battles and milestones on the horizon.
There are two landmark events already scheduled for 2003, the
first in January when the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and
Spa opens its doors on Jan. 19. Whether you think it’s a coup or a
disaster, it has already changed the face of Surf City. What remains
to be seen is whether they can fill the rooms that will range in
price from $350 to $3,500 a night.
The second grand opening, which probably has more citywide
support, will be the Bella Terra. The long-awaited Italian-style mall
will replace the decaying Huntington Center Mall.
Other developments you can expect to see in the news will be far
more controversial.
The Strand, which would revitalize the first few blocks of
Downtown, calls for a 152-room Residence Inn and several major retail
shops. It has been appealed once again, so readers can look forward
to reading about a juicy battle there.
Parkside Estates, the proposed 170-home project that would sit on
a 50-acre parcel at 17301 Graham St., near Bolsa Chica, promises to
be a major contentious topic this year.
The California Coastal Commission is investigating a claim from a
local environmental group that developer Shea Homes is improperly
removing wetlands habitat from the proposed site. The Neighbors for
Wintersburg Wetlands Restoration have vowed to fight the project,
which was approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council.
If those two development frays aren’t enough, Pacific City, slated
for construction on the 31-acre site between Pacific Coast Highway,
Atlanta Avenue and Huntington and 1st streets, which has long sat
vacant, is set to begin the permitting process this year.
The project, which would bring a large hotel, shopping, dining and
entertainment venue to the city with high-priced condominiums behind
it, is bound to meet with opposition.
But the biggest development battle on the horizon is, as always,
that of the Bolsa Chica mesa. It is a controversy that may see a
resolution this year, with a state panel set to appraise the land in
hopes of using Proposition 50 money to purchase the mesa.
A couple other things you just may want to watch out for: Action
taken on the proposal to slice Huntington Beach into five city
council districts, despite the council’s vote to put it on a back
burner until 2004. And in education, there may just be some friction
in the Ocean View School District, where the new board has a majority
who just might like to see Supt. James Tarwater hit the road.
Just a couple of things to keep an eye out for.
* DANETTE GOULET is the city editor. She can be reached at (714)
965-7170 or by e-mail at danette.goulet@latimes.com.
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