HUNTINGTON BEACH : City Revives Panel on Redevelopment

Hoping to monitor redevelopment plans more closely, the City Council this week revived a subcommittee to follow such projects.

The Redevelopment Committee, similar to one discontinued several years ago, was reestablished at the request of Councilman Earle Robitaille. He said he believes that a council subcommittee is needed to keep all City Council members more informed and more involved in redevelopment projects as they progress.

The committee will be made up of Mayor Peter M. Green, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Silva and Councilman Jack Kelly, a former mayor. The makeup of the panel will change each year to include the current mayor, the mayor pro tem and the most recent past mayor.

Discussion of such a subcommittee came up during a recent council study session, during which some council members objected to preliminary plans for the new incarnation of Jack’s Surfboards, a venerable downtown landmark that was demolished because of structural faults.

Some council members argued that the proposals are inconsistent with previously approved building guidelines.

Robitaille argued that a subcommittee could stem similar future conflicts by addressing any objections early in the planning process, before they get to the Redevelopment Agency, which is composed of the entire City Council.

Council members on the panel will act as liaisons to the full City Council, advising city staff members on council goals for specific projects, discussing general policy issues such as budgetary and housing concerns and directing staff members during development negotiations.