Cypress : 200 Turn Out to Protest Golf Course Proposal

An overflow crowd of 200 packed a City Council meeting Monday night, protesting proposed development of the Los Alamitos Golf Course and part of the surrounding land by its owners, Hollywood Park.

Faced with numerous issues and questions, the council decided to continue the public hearing to Aug. 25, when city staff members will address concerns brought up during the Monday hearing by residents and council members.

Present at the meeting, which lasted until nearly midnight, was Marge Everett, owner of Hollywood Park, which owns the golf course and adjacent Los Alamitos Race Track. Everett, who declined to comment, was flanked by attorneys Noel Hatch and Neil Papiano, who presented plans for a 160-acre industrial park with a hotel, light industrial, office and retail space.

City officials estimate that the project will bring in least $750,000 in annual revenues to the city and provide 7,500 jobs.

“What good is it to have thousands of jobs if the kids don’t have anywhere to play,” said Bernard Winsberg, an attorney hired by two members of a golfing group at the Los Alamitos course. “We are asking you to save this place in some way or replace it.”

Roger Geyer, a past president of the Men’s Club at the course, handed the council 6,200 signatures of mostly golf course users who protest the development. Geyer said earlier that opponents are ready to collect more signatures for a ballot referendum on the proposal.

Although it is too late to put it on November’s election ballot, the golfers say they will seek a special election to take the issue to Cypress voters.

Several residents sided with the golfers, citing increased density, more traffic and loss of a greenbelt area.

Although the hearing was continued before the proponents could respond, attorneys indicated that they will work with local residents to correct concerns.

Hollywood Park’s attorneys said the development is necessary to pay for a planned $3-million expansion of the Los Alamitos track and to clear $60 million in debts incurred when the track and golf course were purchased in 1984.

City Planning Director Christine Eynon said the proposal conforms with the density and character of surrounding industrial complexes.

Mayor Otto Lacayo said city officials are meeting with officers at the Los Alamitos naval air base to consider building a new golf course there with the financial cooperation of the county.

“We stand a very, very good chance of getting a golf course there,” he told the gathering.