ORANGE COUNTY VOICES: THE MOLA DEVELOPMENT ISSUE : Measure A-91 Can Bring Amenities, Financial Benefits : The issue before the electorate has been studied and approved by federal, state and local authorities.

On June 4th Seal Beach residents will be voting on Measure A-91, a plan for the Hellman Ranch property--the product of five years of public hearings, environmental study and compromise among Seal Beach citizens, state agencies, the City Council, the landowner and the developer. Including approval from the toughest agency, the state Coastal Commission.

The issue is quite simple. This is a debate regarding property rights and a land-use decision.

Measure A-91 is a responsible plan for the lowest density project ever built in Seal Beach. The Hellman Ranch property is a total of 149 acres located north of Seal Beach Boulevard and east of the Pacific Coast Highway. The only thing on the land right now are abandoned cars, trash and dead trees. Measure A-91 gives us the opportunity to clean up this eyesore and finally settle the long-standing debate on what to do with this land.

Although the Newport-Inglewood Fault runs through the entire city, the state Coastal Commission endorsed the plan by a vote of 11 to 1, stating: “Approval of the project has set a new standard” for mitigating earthquake hazards.

Because of the strict new state and federal standards regarding designated wetlands, the project was approved by the state Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Seal Beach Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Environmental Quality Control Board.

While other cities in California are struggling with budget deficits, we are fortunate A-91 will put Seal Beach in an enviable financial position. Former City Finance Director Denis Thomas reported A-91 will provide: “ . . . unimpaired service levels to the community . . . “ and that “ . . . financial woes currently plaguing the city will be overcome. . . .”

Measure A-91 offers unequaled fiscal benefits including: $1 million guaranteed to the city’s General Fund. The Los Alamitos Unified School District will receive approximately $1.3 million, plus approximately $400,000 each year for new students.

In addition, the city will receive approximately $500,000 per year for more than 20 years in redevelopment revenues. That’s more than $29 million.

Measure A-91 will provide 26 acres of new publicly owned parks that will be maintained for 10 years at no cost to the city, featuring: a community center; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts; soccer fields; jogging trails; playgrounds and tot lots.

Measure A-91 will also provide 41.4 acres of restored and permanently maintained wetlands where only 25 acres of severely degraded wetlands now exist.

So, what is the down side? Why so much controversy? Over the past few years a very negative element has developed in Seal Beach--a vocal group of selfish people who are plainly against everything. It doesn’t matter to them that the owners of the Hellman Ranch have a right to sell their property. The arguments against Measure A-91 are emotional, not factual.

Here are the facts:

* Traffic will improve with Measure A-91. This plan means less traffic added to Seal Beach streets than the alternative commercial development proposal.

* Water rights are protected by Measure A-91. Local ground wells provide 70% of Seal Beach water. The remaining 30% is assured by the Metropolitan Water District. The developer is obligated to provide another well on the site if necessary.

* Seal Beach will maintain a small-town atmosphere. The projected addition of 329 single-family homes will still mean fewer people in the city than the 1980 census showed and they will increase the city’s retail sales tax revenues.

* The new neighborhood will be largely self-sufficient. Interior streets, street lighting and other services will be maintained by the homeowners association.

The opponents will tell you that their vision for the Hellman property is commercial development, hotel, conference center and golf course. They won’t tell you that the Coastal Commission has already ruled that a golf course is incompatible with wetlands on this site.

Remember, too, the property does not belong to the city but to the Hellman family. The city would have to purchase the property before it could implement its plan for commercial development.

Measure A-91 is a sound plan for Seal Beach. Our city needs the improvements and the revenue. That’s why I urge you to vote yes on Measure A-91.