HUNTINGTON BEACH : Group Opposes Golf Plan for Central Park
A group of Huntington Beach residents hopes that voters will reject plans for an 18-hole golf course in Central Park, approved by the City Council in September.
Deborah A. Cook, leading residents opposed to the course on an undeveloped portion of the park, submitted a proposed charter amendment Monday to the city clerk. In about two months, the group will begin circulating a petition to qualify the amendment for the June ballot.
The amendment would bar the development or sale of any city park or beach without voter approval.
In September, the council voted to contract with a company to build the course. The city then would grant a long-term lease to the company.
Mayor Wes Bannister said the city has already obligated itself to build a nine-hole golf course at the park, on the northeast corner of Golden West and Ellis streets, for residents of the Driftwood Mobile Home Park. The city is relocating those residents and promised to replace the golf course they are losing.
Because officials could not find a company interested in building that course, Bannister said, the city itself would be forced to do so for about $4 million.
But several companies would like to build an 18-hole course, he said.
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