SEAL BEACH : Mola Corp. Loses Vote on Tract Map

In a victory for residents, the City Council failed Monday in its weeklong attempt to give the initial approvals required before Mola Development Corp. can build a controversial $200-million project in the city.

After a week of marathon special meetings, the council adjourned its Monday meeting at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday without approving a tentative tract map for the development.

“This was a victory for the people,” said Councilman Frank Laszlo, an opponent of the Mola project. “They gave their message loud and clear” that the new council sworn in Tuesday should vote on the project.

The City Council approved items amending the city’s General Plan and adopting a parcel map to clear the way for the development, but stopped short of approving a tentative tract map for the project. A 4-1 majority of the council believed that approving the tract map might give Mola a legal right to expect final approval of the project.

However, not all city officials agree with this assessment. City Atty. Greg Stepanicich said an initial approval does not give Mola that right, which comes when the company’s development agreement with the city has received two approvals.

Outgoing Councilwoman Joyce Risner, who wanted to approve the Mola tract map, was disappointed that the council failed to pass it.

“I don’t think it would have made that much difference” in the event of a legal challenge, Risner said.

Mola now holds an option on the 149-acre Hellman Ranch parcel where the company wants to build a 329-unit residential project. The development also includes 41 acres of restored wetlands and 26 acres of public parks.

Mola has been trying to get the project approved for more than four years. The City Council passed the project last fall, but the approvals were invalidated by Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Ronald L. Bauer in March because they were granted while the city was without a state-mandated plan for accommodating future housing needs. The new City Council is scheduled to consider the project May 29.