10-unit H.B. condo project gets OK
The Huntington Beach City Council on Monday approved a development agreement for a 10-unit condominium complex, allowing a bonus unit because the project would otherwise exceed density restrictions.
Bonanni Development wants to construct the complex on the southeast corner of Garfield Avenue and Gothard Street. Councilwoman Jill Hardy was the lone dissenting vote.
Hardy objected to the bonus unit being excluded from the city’s calculation for meeting affordable housing.
In accordance with city zoning laws, 15% of its units are required to meet affordable housing standards, but according to state law, the bonus unit would not be part of the calculation, Planning Director Scott Hess said after the meeting. This means one unit would meet affordable housing requirements.
“I have a problem with this 10th unit not being considered in the 15%,” Hardy said. “We’ve been told by the state that we need more housing, bigger housing, crowded housing so we can get more affordable housing. Then we get 10 to 15% out of it.
“Then if there’s a density bonus, it doesn’t even count as part of it. We are not getting what we want. This is my opportunity to say, we count the 10th unit in the 15% or I’m not OK. If we are doing this for affordable housing, then we need more affordable housing.”
Beauty Pageant
Also Monday, the council voted unanimously to develop a resolution that recognizes the Sand Dollars’ Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Pageant as the city’s official beauty pageant.
The Sand Dollars, a section of the Women’s Club of Huntington Beach, has directed the event since 1977, though the pageant has been held since 1910. It provides scholarship opportunities for young Huntington Beach women.
Hardy, who proposed the resolution along with Councilman Erik Peterson, said she’s concerned that another group might come along and start a beauty pageant, which would “take away from the tradition we have.”
Hardy said recognizing the pageant as official also would encourage the Miss America pageant to affiliate with Huntington Beach.
“We want to encourage the Miss America venue because of its scholarship and community service platform,” Hardy said.
Official Flag
In another move toward granting special status, the council voted unanimously to create a resolution adopting the Huntington Beach logo flag that hangs in the council chambers as the official city flag.
The logo flag has four separate images, including one with a house and tree and one with a surfer, against a blue background.
Hardy said the city has sported various flags over the years, including one with the city’s seal on it. Currently, the Civic Center flies a flag that is different from the logo flag.
Hardy said she doesn’t want there to be any confusion about the true city flag.
“I don’t want there to be any question about what to send to the county to represent us, or what to fly in a parade or even what to put in council chambers,” Hardy said.
The resolution is expected to be presented at the Dec. 5 meeting.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
