PROJECT APPEALS Two City Council members are...

PROJECT APPEALS

Two City Council members are appealing building projects in

Huntington Beach. The Planning Commission has approved both

developments, but individual council members have the power to appeal

a project and have it overturned by a majority vote.

City Councilman Dave Sullivan is appealing a condominium project

slated for a lot near the intersection of Bolsa Chica Street and

Warner Avenue. He indicated that he had several concerns with the

project, including the width of the project’s entryway and possible

future flooding problems.

Councilwoman Debbie Cook is appealing a proposal by a resident in

the Huntington Harbor area who wants to expand their backyard into an

easement. Cook was a supporter of a controversial proposal to stop

such expansions that was eventually voted down by the City Council.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Both projects have already been approved by the Planning

Commission. It remains unclear whether fellow council members will

agree with Sullivan’s concerns, but passage of Cook’s appeal seems

unlikely. A majority of the council has indicated in past votes a

sympathy for homeowners that want to expand their backyards into the

easement.

CITY ENTRYWAYS

City Councilman Keith Bohr is proposing a plan to create welcome

signs at key entry points throughout the city. The proposal is

similar to a request considered by Caltrans to place signage on the

pedestrian bridge connecting the Hyatt Hotel with the beach.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If the council approves the plan, a private consulting firm will

be hired to recruit design and architectural students who will

compete to create the signs. Multiple designs could be chosen.

SPORTS COMPLEX

Community Services Director Jim Engle will present a plan to the

City Council to hire an outside contractor to finalize several

batting cages at the Sports Complex. The company is Major League

Construction of San Jose.

The original contractor abandoned the project before completion,

having received payment of $1 million from the city. It created a

major headache for Engle, who adopted the project from former

director Ron Hagan.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Community Services staff have struggled for months to find a

contractor to complete the work, so it seems unlikely that the

council would reject the bid. They might, however, have many

questions for whoever is brought on.