California Heights Downzoned Amid Angry Debate

In a vote that angered hundreds of residents, pleased hundreds more and nearly sparked a fistfight, the City Council put a lid on development in the California Heights neighborhood Tuesday by preventing property owners from adding on rental units.

The council unanimously agreed to lower the residential neighborhood’s zoning from R-2, which allows two units per single-family lot, to R-1, which allows one unit. Single-family homes already make up 70% of the area, city officials said.

The decision disappointed R-2 proponents, who had offered a compromise that would have required that additional units confirm to each property’s existing architectural style. But hundreds of other residents rejoiced, saying that the lower density will mean preservation of their neighborhood, less traffic congestion and fewer parking hassles.

“We’re ecstatic,” resident Chris Donelon said Wednesday.

Along with her husband and a small group of neighbors, Donelon led the drive to downzone the neighborhood which lies just west of the Long Beach Airport. “This will help preserve our quality of life,” she said.

Other residents argued that, among other things, the city was taking away their security.

Gwyn Thek, for example, had planned to build a second unit in her lot. “I’m 33 years old and now I have to sell out because I can’t afford the mortgage payments,” Thek said after the council’s decision.

‘An Elitist Attitude’

College student Deion Torgeson, 26, told the council that California Heights provides her with affordable housing that is clean and drug-free. “Downzoning is an elitist attitude that is running rampant throughout Southern California,” she said.

Resident Robert Guzman criticized R-1 proponents as being unwilling to compromise. The “R-2 hybrid” zoning, he said, would allow two units per lot but would include new city design reviews to ensure that any added units conform with the architecture of the first home and that neighbors’ privacy is protected if a second floor is built.

A second unit on his property translates to financial security, said Guzman, 41, a school counselor who led the R-2 drive. “It’s something that will help us in retirement,” Guzman said in an interview.

Resident Michael Bender told the council that he moved to California Heights to avoid high density and accompanying problems such as parking. The Heights, Bender said, “is a wonderful place to raise a family.”

The council echoed the concerns of the R-1 proponents.

“We cannot err by downzoning,” Councilwoman Jan Hall told the crowd. “It seems to me we have erred by not (downzoning).”

Hall and several fellow council members said they hoped the vote would lay to rest the zoning issue that for more than a year has bitterly divided the normally peaceful neighborhood. Residents on each side campaigned by wearing “R1” patches on their clothes or erecting “R2” signs in their front yards.

“It is unbelievable the tension in this neighborhood,” Guzman said. “It is neighbor against neighbor.”

That feeling was reflected by the crowd that gathered for the council meeting in the non-air conditioned Marshall Junior High School auditorium.

“My husband was almost attacked last night,” Donelon said Wednesday. Resident Tom Calvert had to hold back a neighbor of the Donelons from striking her husband, Mike, according to Donelon. “(My neighbor) hit me in the arm as I was walking down the sidewalk,” she said.

Some Stormed Out

Ironically, earlier in the meeting, Calvert had told the council: “We do have wonderful neighbors. I hope it remains that way after this evening.”

There were other moments of tension throughout the 3-hour debate. Several people were overheard snapping “shut up” to those sitting near them. One-on-one debates broke out several times in the back of the hot auditorium, where more than 600 people awaited a council decision. And as it became apparent that the council was going to vote to downzone, several yelled out “crooked politicians” and “thank you, Ray” as they stormed out.

The residents were referring to Councilman Ray Grabinski. Because he lives in the area, Grabinski was not allowed to vote on the issue. He stepped away from the dais at the beginning of the hearing. Instead, he addressed the council as the last speaker in support of R-1.

“My biggest concern is what’s best for the future,” Grabinski told his colleagues. One unit above a garage affects several of the neighboring houses, he said. “I don’t see that as a benefit to me, my children or my quality of life,” Grabinski concluded.

On Wednesday, Mike Donelon said that most of the residents probably will mend their hurt feelings. “We have friends on both sides of the issue,” he said. “We were friends before. And we’re going to stay friends.”