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.