SEAL BEACH : Commission Rejects Housing in Wetlands

Plans for a $200-million residential development in southwest Seal Beach, which opponents claim would destroy a wetlands, were rejected Tuesday by the California Coastal Commission by a vote of 5 to 5.

Commissioners expressed concern that the wetlands, which could be restored, would be irreversibly damaged when water was drained from the lands for the homes. Some commissioners also said they couldn’t vote for the plan because of confusing and conflicting information in the developer’s proposal and in the commission’s own staff report.

“We’re ecstatic,” said Galen Ambrose, spokesman for the local Wetlands Restoration Society. “We’re surprised by the decision. We figured the commission was stacked in Mola’s (Mola Development Corp.’s) favor. . . .”

The plan would have allowed construction of 355 homes on the old Hellman Ranch property. In return, Mola was to give the state 37 acres of wetlands at the site and to prepare a restoration plan for those acres.

The Wetlands Restoration Society has sued the city, alleging that the project violates the city’s general plan.

“The city didn’t follow correct procedure. They went about their own way, without complying with the (city’s) general plan,” Galen said.

No date has been set for that suit to be heard in court.

The society also had sought a court order blocking the project, but Galen said Tuesday night that the order might not be necessary now.

However, Tim Roberts, director of operations for Mola, said the company would submit new plans immediately. The Coastal Commission Tuesday waived the usual six-month period before the developer may resubmit plans.