HUNTINGTON BEACH : Park’s Fate May Be Put on Fall Ballot

The City Council tonight will consider putting the fate of undeveloped Bartlett Park on the fall ballot so that voters can decide whether it should be partially converted into a commercially operated, nine-hole golf course.

The little-known city park is at Beach Boulevard and Adams Avenue.

In July, the council approved the concept of a public-private partnership in developing the 30-acre park site.

The undeveloped park land is situated behind the Newland Shopping Center and Newland House Museum.

City Community Services Director Ron Hagan said a proposed golf concessionaire already has spent considerable money on design and environmental studies for developing the park.

Before spending more money, the concessionaire now “would like to know if the people of Huntington Beach support the proposed development of Bartlett Park,” Hagan said.

A voter-approved initiative in 1990, called Measure C, requires the city to conduct a citywide vote whenever any public park or beach area is proposed for new development costing more than $100,000.

The initiative was passed in a voter revolt against City Council proposals in 1990 to put more commercial buildings on the beach and to develop part of Central Park into a golf course.

Hagan, in a recent memo to the council, said that putting the Bartlett Park issue on the general election ballot in November would cost the city about $10,000 to $15,000.

He said if the city delays and has to call a special election on the subject, the cost would balloon to $120,000.

If the council puts Bartlett Park on the fall ballot, it will be the first Measure C referendum since the initiative was passed.

City Planning Commissioner Debbie Cook, who was a leader in the drive to pass Measure C, said in a recent interview that she believes it is proper that voters citywide decide the future of Bartlett Park.

“I feel it’s up to the people to decide,” Cook said. “As for my personal opinion, I personally feel very strongly about preserving undeveloped park land. I like Bartlett Park the way it is, although it might be OK to plant some more trees and things like that.”