HUNTINGTON BEACH : Pierside Village Appeal Is on Agenda

An appeal of Planning Commission approval for the controversial Pierside Village project is on the schedule for tonight’s City Council meeting, but Mayor Peter M. Green said the council will probably postpone action until March 18.

At issue is the commission’s 4-3 approval of the project on Nov. 6. Pierside Village plans call for constructing at least two new commercial restaurants on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway between Main and First streets. That land is now paved for parking.

Opponents of Pierside Village contend that adding more buildings would be “visual pollution” that would mar the view of the beach and ocean. Supporters say it would beautify an unsightly area of paved parking lots and would allow more people, especially the elderly, a place from which to see the ocean.

“(Councilwoman) Grace Winchell appealed the Planning Commission’s action because if no appeal was made, Pierside Village would have city approval,” Green said. “But there is a staff recommendation to defer action until March, and I believe that is what the council will do.”

Green, Winchell and newly elected Councilwoman Linda Moulton-Patterson all are outspoken Pierside Village opponents. Green said Monday that even if a council majority approves the project, it will still need approval in a citywide vote because of provisions in Measure C, which was passed Nov. 6. That initiative, sponsored by Save Our Parks, requires a majority vote before any park or beach land can be sold, leased or developed with construction totaling more than $100,000.

The city attorney’s office has issued an opinion that Measure C affects the Pierside Village project.

Jonathan Chodos, the proposed developer of Pierside Village, said the project has been unfairly criticized.

“I think there needs to be talk about what ought to be done in that area without everyone taking potshots. It’s really easy to criticize.”