HUNTINGTON BEACH : Mixed Construction OKd for Key Block

Despite outspoken opposition from many downtown property owners, the City Council this week approved a mixed-use development on a key block in the redevelopment project.

The project calls for 68 condominiums, along with a grocery store, offices and shops, on an area bounded by Main and 5th streets and Olive and Orange avenues.

The council approved the development by a 5-0 vote. Council members Jack Kelly and Don MacAllister abstained, saying they have business interests that will be affected by the development.

Opponents of the project said they fear that it will prompt the Redevelopment Agency to invoke eminent domain to acquire properties. They also maintained that the project could prompt heavier traffic and criticized the $3-million price tag as too expensive.

James Koller, who had appealed the Planning Commission’s November approval of the project, argued that his two properties targeted for demolition are worth more than the $350,000 price that the agency has offered. Koller, whose buildings make up 28% of the block, said a private appraiser valued his properties at $525,000. The remainder of the block is owned by the Redevelopment Agency.

Other downtown property owners charged that the project includes too many condominiums, which they say will cause excessive traffic and parking problems. Property owner Bob Boland charged that “someone’s playing Russian roulette with my property and those of other property owners in the area.”

Councilman Jim Silva said he shared some of the opponents’ concerns but added that “time is not on our side. The property owners in the downtown area are dependent upon new revenue in the downtown area. And to do nothing on this now would be moving backward.”