Development on Old Trolley Route Causes Split Opinions

A plan to develop an old Red Car trolley line in Long Beach--a notion that has pitted residents against preservationists and the city against itself--is about to land in the laps of council members.

The issue is whether to beautify, restore or develop the two-mile stretch of land between Willow and Anaheim streets, a seemingly innocuous urban question that prompted jeers and catcalls from spectators at last week’s all-night Planning Commission meeting.

The city’s transportation task force and Planning Commission want the now-vacant land preserved so that it might some day be restored to its original transportation purpose, this time as an extension of the Blue Line that would service East Long Beach, Belmont Shore and link up to Orange County.

The city’s planning staff, in a rare split, has sided with developer Robert Kendrick, who bought the old right of way last year and wants to build homes, apartments and light industry on it.

And residents who live near the site are divided over whether to make it a park.

“There has been very little transportation planning in Southern California, and some people feel that permitting the development of a precious right of way is just another nail in the coffin,” said Doug Otto, who heads the transportation task force. “Personally, I can see both sides of the issue.”

Rejecting its planning staff’s advice, planning commissioners voted last week to allow only temporary development to go forward, including storage space and some light industry, but no housing.

The buildings could be removed if the corridor is ever needed for transportation, they reasoned, although there are neither the plans nor the money to convert it to such a use in the near future. Indeed, officials are not even sure there is a potential ridership, Otto said.

The developer promptly appealed the Planning Commission decision to the City Council, which will attempt to put an end to a months-long debate. No hearing date has been set.