ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Thanks for Offer but No Thanks

From the point of view of Mola Development Corp., it must seem ludicrous that a special election that would cost Seal Beach $50,000 might be all that stands in the way of its $200-million Hellman Ranch housing development. Mola is so frustrated with setbacks and so eager to have its case before the voters that it has agreed to finance a citizens’ group’s offer to pay half the bill rather than wait until the next countywide election in 1992. But that offer threatens to compromise the election process and should be rejected by the City Council.

Mola’s 329-home project has been subjected to more scrutiny and more requirements than most developments. In five years, Mola has halved the project’s size, agreed to restore 41 acres of wetlands and offered the city a $1-million payment and substantial parkland. The state Coastal Commission has given its nod, and a lawsuit over the city’s housing plan has been litigated. But, as politics would have it, the City Council has changed and the project lost its majority approval. Mola at this point has nothing to show for its trouble but an $11-million headache--what it says are its costs so far.

That’s unfortunate for the developer, but the City Council has responsibilities to fulfill. It must decide how to proceed on the development or, if residents successfully petition for an election, put the matter before voters. The council has petitions signed by 4,005 residents--22% of the city--asking for a vote on the project. While it’s true the signatures were gathered by the group backed by Mola, many measures reach the ballot through the efforts of a special-interest group and are weighed on the merits by voters.

The Hellman Ranch project has torn apart Seal Beach long enough. It’s been debated, discussed, negotiated and litigated. Since a sufficient number of voters want to vote on the project, then the city owes it to them to hold an election. The City Council should move forward with this election quickly. But the developer shouldn’t be allowed to foot the bill.