HUNTINGTON BEACH : Firm Asks City to Annex Bolsa Chica

After years of resisting attempts to transfer the Bolsa Chica wetlands from county to city territory, the development company that owns the property is now asking the City Council to initiate annexation procedures, city officials said Friday.

If the annexation is approved, Signal Landmark Co. would have to answer to city, rather than county, officials on its development plans, according to Deputy City Administrator James W. Palin. The city would also take the lead on a proposed 1,100-acre wetlands preservation project, Palin said.

“We thought this was an appropriate time to transition into the city,” said Spencer Sheldon, spokesman for Signal Landmark. “As the months go on, people have been more and more comfortable with the (preservation) plan, and we always knew we would ultimately be part of the city.”

The letter dated March 4 asks the City Council to annex the 1,635-acre wetlands before preservation work begins under a plan negotiated last May with the Bolsa Chica Planning Coalition.

The proposal calls for scaling back Signal Landmark’s original proposal for a 1,400-acre resort and marina development to a maximum of 5,700 homes on 412 acres. The remaining acreage would become part of the wetlands preservation area.

Signal Landmark’s letter is scheduled for discussion at the April 16 council meeting.

If approved by county supervisors, the request to become part of Huntington Beach could be turned over to the Local Agency Formation Commission as early as next spring, Palin said. The commission oversees boundary changes.

Signal Landmark officials had previously fought all annexation requests, even though the area lies in the city’s “sphere of influence,” meaning that it was earmarked for incorporation by Huntington Beach.

Should Huntington Beach officials gain control of the region, the wetlands preserve would likely be dedicated to the state, which in turn would lease it to the Department of Fish & Game, Sheldon said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) is scheduled to make a 2 p.m. appearance today at the wetlands, formally kicking off the preservation process by announcing Signal Landmark’s plans to apply for federal permits needed to complete both preservation and construction work, Wilson aide James Lee said.