SEAL BEACH : Plan for Project Next to Tower Rejected

The City Council has rejected a plan to build an oil-change shop and carwash next to the historic redwood water tower, placing the future of the often-discussed vacant lot in question.

Council members said the project would only worsen the area’s serious traffic problems. They also expressed hope that a “more appropriate” use for the land that would satisfy both residents and the developer could be found.

Monday’s decision comes two months after the Planning Commission approved plans for the oil-change shop. Residents of nearby Surfside and Sunset Beach appealed that ruling, which placed the issue before the council for a final decision.

Santa Barbara developer Jeff Overeem, who owns the land and proposed the development, tried to assure the council that an oil-change shop would not seriously affect the area. But he was outnumbered by about a dozen residents who spoke against the plan.

Most cited traffic and safety as their biggest worries. They said the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway near the tower is clogged with auto, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and has been the site of several serious accidents over the years.

“It’s hazardous as it exists now, let alone how it gets with the summer (beach) traffic,” said Sunset Beach resident Virginia Strain.

Some residents pointed out that having a carwash and oil-change facility nearby would cause excess oil and water to drip onto the streets, making the roads even more hazardous.

A local cyclist also expressed concern that traffic from the business would block access to the Pacific Coast Highway bike path.

“This would put (cyclists) in a hell of a position,” said Seal Beach resident Hugh Cherry. “If we put this in, the area will just become extremely dangerous.”

Overeem disagreed, saying the business would not create safety problems. He said he would place signs on the premises warning customers about the crossing bike and vehicle traffic.

As for concerns about noise, Overeem said he planned to build a wall between the oil-change shop and nearby homes. But the council sided with residents in a decision that caps nearly a year of debate over the land.

Last summer, Overeem proposed building condominiums on the site. But that plan was blasted by nearby residents because the condos would block the view of the 52-year-old tower. Overeem eventually dropped the idea in favor of the proposal for an oil-change shop, which raised greater ire from residents, who said the business would be an “unsuitable neighbor” for the 87-foot landmark.

At the meeting, Overeem complained that some residents seemed to be opposed to any type of development on the property.

Other residents have proposed more modest uses for the land, such as building a bike shop there. But Overeem said such developments “are not financially feasible.”

He also expressed frustration with the continued opposition to his plans even after he reduced the size and scope of the oil-change shop.

After rejecting the proposal, several council members urged residents to work with Overeem to hammer out a development plan that both sides could live with.