HUNTINGTON BEACH : City Council to Vote on Bolsa Chica Park

A controversial park issue related to the Bolsa Chica wetlands is scheduled to come before the Huntington Beach City Council tonight.

The issue is whether the council should accept county government’s plans for the first phase of the long-proposed Bolsa Chica Regional Park.

The proposed county park would consist of 106 acres on the southeastern edge of the state’s existing wetlands preserve at the Bolsa Chica.

On March 1, the city’s Planning Commission voted 4 to 2 to reject the park plan submitted by the county’s Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

The commission majority, among other things, questioned drainage and parking plans.

The City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to overturn the Planning Commission action and thus accept the county’s plans for the park.

The city staff has recommended that the council accept the plans, with some suggested changes.

Proposed changes to the county’s plan include a revised drainage plan and the requirement that the county plant willow trees in one area, as a wildlife habitat.

A change in the parking arrangement also has been suggested.

The Amigos de Bolsa Chica, an environmental group that has long been ardent about protecting the wetlands, has urged approval of the county’s plan.

In a letter to the council, the Amigos said the county plan adequately protects the wetlands.