HUNTINGTON BEACH : Panel Urged to Reject Condo Complex Plan

The California Coastal Commission’s staff is recommending that the commission reject plans to build a condominium complex near the Bolsa Chica area, saying the project is too dense for that area and should be scaled down.

The 252-unit condo project, called Surfcrest North, is proposed for the Seacliff Country Club area, near the intersection of Palm Avenue and Seapoint Street. It would consist of six three-story buildings.

The project has been before the City Council twice before, causing political dissension both times. On June 1, the council voted 4 to 2 to send the project back to the developer, Urban West Communities, demanding that it be revised and reduced in size.

In an unusual move, the developer refused to revise the plan, and it came back to the City Council on Aug. 17. At that meeting, the developer agreed to some changes but not enough to satisfy environmentalists opposed to the project. Nonetheless, the City Council voted 4 to 2 to approve the condos.

Environmentalists charged that the council majority engaged in a “flip-flop” vote on the project to appease the developer. The Surfcrest vote has become an issue among some candidates for the City Council in the current fall election campaigns.

Councilwoman Grace Winchell, who had voted against the project in August, joined with the environmental group Amigos de Bolsa Chica in appealing the City Council’s action on the condos to the state Coastal Commission.

Last week, the Coastal Commission professional staff issued a report saying they believe that the commission should reject Surfcrest North. The staff report said the project has too many units and that an unspecified lower density should be required.

The Coastal Commission originally was scheduled to vote on the Surfcrest project at its meeting Tuesday in Monterey.

On Friday, however, the commission announced that the item has been postponed until a later monthly meeting.

No firm date has been set for the rescheduled hearing.