HUNTINGTON BEACH : Group Objects to Land-Swap Proposal

Save Our Parks, a Huntington Beach citizens’ group, is protesting a proposed land swap between the city and the Huntington Beach Co., arguing that it violates a ballot initiative passed last fall.

At issue is a half-acre site on the northwest corner of Clay Avenue and Golden West Street. The city had proposed to use the site for a new reservoir, but later decided to place the reservoir in another area. About a year ago, the city sought to buy some land near the Civic Center from the Huntington Beach Co.--the largest land owner in Huntington Beach--and, to get a better price, it proposed swapping the former reservoir site.

Debbie Cook, a spokeswoman for Save Our Parks, said on Monday that the city cannot swap the land because of the passage on Nov. 6 of Measure C, a citizens’ initiative that forbids transfer of city land, such as parks and beaches, without a citywide vote.

Cook said Save Our Parks also is protesting the proposed land swap “because this site is one of the highest in the city and might be very valuable for future use in the city’s recycled-water program.” Geri Ortega, a member of the city’s Planning Commission, also said Monday that she opposed the proposed land swap because of its potential use as a pumping area for the recycled-water project.

The land swap comes before the Planning Commission tonight for routine consideration of its zoning. Ortega said she cannot vote on it because her residence is near the area and she must exclude herself because of the potential conflict of interest.

Mayor Peter M. Green said that whatever the Planning Commission’s action tonight, the final decision on the land swap will be made by the City Council. Green said he is studying the matter and has formed no opinion, but he agreed that the swap has become highly controversial.