HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are a few items the council considered Monday:

ZONING FOR NEWLAND PROJECT

The City Council approved 6-1 a zoning amendment for the Newland Street Residential Project from industrial to medium-density residential. Councilwoman Debbie Cook voted against the item, saying she supports the zoning change to residential but not the project.

WHAT IT MEANS

The zoning amendment paves the way for developer WL Direct Huntington Beach LLC to begin work on building 204 homes on the 23-acre site. The former Cenco Tank oil farm has undergone soil remediation, and WL Direct has deeded 50 acres to the city to be preserved as wetlands in addition to a 2-acre public park. Several residents spoke in support of the project at the public hearing.

Jan Vandersloot of the Ocean Outfall Group asked the city to enforce a 100-foot buffer zone at the project, as required by the Department of Fish and Game. The project instead has a 19-feet buffer and a wall separating the homes from the wetlands. Cook said the builder should have higher standards of green building practices as well as have a 100-foot buffer between the project and the wetlands.

VISITORS BUREAU GETS FIVE-YEAR DEAL

Council members approved 6-1 a five-year grant agreement with the Huntington Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau to receive 10% of the Transient Occupancy Tax or hotel room tax to fund projects and activities.

WHAT IT MEANS

The bureau will use the additional funds to finance its campaign to promote the city. Elements of the campaign include a dining guide, visitors guide and advertisements. In the past, the city approved a budget for the bureau on an annual basis. Cook voted against the item. She has previously opposed the five-year approval agreement.

CONDO OWNERS’ PERMITS

Council members approved 7-0 conditional-use permits for 16 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 16 approved permits bring the total number of such approvals to 93 units.

WHAT IT MEANS

The item was moved by Councilman Gil Coerper and seconded by Councilwoman Jill Hardy. Mike Adams, who represented the 16 owners, spoke briefly at the public hearing supporting approval of permits.

— Compiled by

Purnima Mudnal