SEAL BEACH : New Study Planned on Hellman Ranch

Mola Development Corp.’s plan to build 329 houses on the old Hellman Ranch property was rejected by the current City Council and defeated by the voters, but the project is far from dead.

This week, the City Council selected a consultant to compile a new environmental impact report on the proposed development. The city plans to hire P&D; Technologies of Orange to conduct the study, and Mola will pick up the $220,000 tab.

“We have not received any formal agreement from the council so I can’t comment on it,” said Kirk Evans, a Mola spokesman.

Although a full environmental impact report was conducted when Mola submitted its most recent plans for the project, council members said they think more geological and seismic concerns need to be addressed before they can decide on the development.

In addition, the council voted on Monday to form a new 15-member committee to again study how the 149-acre property should be developed.

A previous committee charged with this duty recommended that development be restricted to a narrow bluff area along Seal Beach Boulevard and that the remainder of the property be limited to open space, parks, wetlands and a golf course.

The council majority offered voters that alternative on June 4, along with the Mola-backed plan, but both measures failed.

Council members Monday said they want the committee to work closely with the consultant in preparing the environmental report.

Mayor Frank Laszlo suggested that the council tip the balance of the committee with more representatives from the Hill area because it is closer to the Hellman property. But Councilwoman Gwen Forsythe, who represents the Hill, said she thinks the committee should be composed of three members from each of the five council districts.

Although P&D; Technologies originally estimated it would cost $116,217 to do the environmental study, the estimate was boosted because of additional requests by city officials. The scope of the report will be expanded to include review of an “environmentally sensitive alternative” project, an updated fiscal analysis and additional geological and seismic field testing and verification.

The City Council majority in rejecting Mola’s plan cited safety concerns related to the Newport-Inglewood Fault that runs beneath the property.