Beach And Edinger Corridors:

The Planning Commission will soon vote on a plan to allow residential development and a density intensification to make a portion of Huntington Beach into a “lifestyle center.”

The Beach and Edinger Corridors Specific Plan will allow a mixed-land use zoning to create a more pedestrian-friendly and visibly pleasing area.

“We want the [plan] to reflect the pride our citizens have and be inviting to our huge tourist population,” Associate Planner Rosemary Medel said.

The project includes an 459-acre area along Beach Boulevard to Edinger Avenue and along Edinger up to Goldenwest Street. The plan would dictate land use and building intensity, and guide building design and aesthetics.

The revitalization of the area was first brought up in 1996 and then again in the early 2000s, Medel said.

“It’s always been on the back burner,” she said.

The city wants to improve the economic opportunities of the area by fixing the nondescript strip malls, uniting signage and creating a consistent landscaping plan. The plan would put retail, offices, restaurants and residential units together.

The plan would also create a town center on Edinger near Gothard Street and create a walkable area by making sidewalks appear larger, creating promenades and open space. The plan would also create a specific design aesthetic to unite the area.

The updates would create an environment to bring in more shoppers, Medel said. She said the area is unlikely to increase economically without the revitalization.

The plan would add about 6,400 new dwelling units, 738,500 square feet of retail, 350 hotel rooms and 112,000 square feet of office space in the area. The plan calls for a maximum of six-story building heights in some areas.

The draft Environmental Impact Report found the project would have significant and unavoidable impact on air quality, cultural resources, noise, population and housing, public service, recreation, transportation/traffic and utilities and service systems.

The city has held a series of workshops and Planning Commission and City Council study sessions. The city approved a contract with consultant Freedman Tung and Bottomley in 2006. The firm has been paid nearly $1 million, Medel said.

The plan must also be approved by the City Council and certified by the California Coastal Commission.