HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

Here are a few items the council will consider Monday:

ZONING AMENDMENT

The City Council will hold a public hearing before approving a zoning amendment for the Newland Street Residential Project. The amendment is to change the zoning for the project from industrial to medium-density residential designation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The item is likely to be approved. The property at the northwest corner of Newland Street and Hamilton Avenue was the site of an oil tank farm for off-shore shipping of oil. When a British Petroleum ship hit an off-shore buoy, about 416,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled onto 15 miles of county beaches in 1990. Residents are supportive of the zoning change to residential from industrial use. The amendment has been approved by the Planning Commission.

AGREEMENT WITH CONDO OWNERS

Council members will hold another public hearing to approve conditional-use permits for condominium owners affected by the real estate scam involving former Huntington Beach mayor Pam Houchen, who is awaiting sentencing in December for mail and wire fraud. The permits are part of a settlement agreement with 16 property owners.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The agreement between the city and 16 property owners and five title insurance companies will help the illegally converted condominium owners who were duped by Houchen and others. The permits will approve 16 condo units on four separate properties.

FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH VISITORS BUREAU

Council members will vote on a five-year agreement with the Huntington Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau for 10% of the Transient Occupancy Tax or room tax monthly revenues.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Council had approved giving the bureau 10% of the monthly room tax revenues and asked staff to draw up an agreement. Previously, the city approved the budget for the bureau on an annual basis. With the bureau doing an excellent job of promoting the city, council members decided to dedicate the extra funds from room tax revenues to the bureau.

— Compiled by Purnima Mudnal