EDITORIAL:

Yes, Huntington Beach, there is a Santa Claus.

No, no, we’re not reprinting the iconic “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial this year, but merely echoing the sentiment of so many neighbors of Golden West College who felt as if they got an early Christmas gift this month when the Coast Community College District board turned down an offer to build a Costco discount store on campus.

It was a courageous move on the district’s part, considering it needs the money and the project could have offered 250 jobs, $1.75 million in rent for Golden West and $1.5 million in annual sales tax to the city.

All district officials had to do was lease 14 acres at Gothard Street and McFadden Avenue. They would give up 435 parking spots, two softball fields and a soccer/football field.

But neighbors objected to the extra traffic in an already congested area. Next-door neighbor Westminster recognized that and also objected to the project.

Seems as though Huntington Beach officials were the only ones not listening to their neighbors. In fact, they’re still looking for a new home to build the Costco.

At least school district officials recognize that they should do a better job listening to their neighbors.

“It seems to me we have not done a good job of community outreach in our community,” Coast Community College Trustee Mary Hornbuckle said when the district rejected Costco. “I’d like to see down the road a proposal for community outreach in this neighborhood. We obviously have sensitized people to development in this area.”

We second that motion, and we’re sure neighbors will be happy to hear that. Let’s hope college officials follow through.

More importantly, let’s hope city leaders also get the same message and huddle up with neighbors before they endorse a new home for the proposed Costco.

We’re not sure there’s any urgency to the plans. After all, Costco has a store about 6.5 miles away in Fountain Valley. That’s about a 10-minute drive away when traffic is clear.