SEAL BEACH : Measures to Allow Project Introduced
The City Council introduced measures this week to allow a housing and commercial development on the site of the old Rum Runners restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway.
The measures would amend the city’s General Plan to allow developer James Watson to build nine single-family homes and three commercial buildings on the site.
Watson’s project is something of a test case. He will be the first person under the city’s new housing element to be required to provide either low- or moderate-income housing or money in lieu of such housing. He can provide either one housing unit or $15,000. The housing unit can be either within the city or another community within 3 miles of Seal Beach.
In addition, Watson has agreed to pay the city attorney’s fees to come up with a legal agreement between him and the city.
“If he’s willing to pay for the (legal) review costs, the city should accept the offer,” City Atty. Quinn Barrow said.
And Watson also is breaking ground by being one of the first required to pay a “park-impact” fee.
Lee Whittenberg, the city’s director of development services, said the City Council approved the fee earlier this year requiring a $10,000 payment for every residential lot created. Thus, Watson will be required to pay $90,000 to help the city maintain and develop its existing parks, Whittenberg said.
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