HUNTINGTON BEACH : Plans Delayed for Bolsa Chica Project Lobbyist

The City Council has delayed hiring a consultant to assist in lobbying the California Coastal Commission over the Bolsa Chica housing project.

Councilwoman Shirley S. Dettloff said that before the council spends as much as $50,000 to hire a consultant, it must first define its goals and concerns about the 3,300-home project, which has been approved by the Board of Supervisors.

“We also need to define the scope of what the consultant will do,” Dettloff said.

A City Council subcommittee and city staff will meet to identify the city’s specific concerns about the project, including its density, compatibility with existing homes and wetland buffer zones.

City planning staff said the Coastal Commission is expected to consider the housing project, to be built by the Koll Real Estate Group, in late summer or early autumn.

The Coastal Commission will determine the project’s land use plan, which Huntington Beach officials say will have a financial impact on city fire, police and library services.

Councilman David Sullivan said a lobbyist would serve the city’s interests because the commission review is one of the last opportunities for the city to have its concerns addressed.

“The way government works is you have to lobby the people who vote,” Sullivan said. “It’s our attempt to achieve a level playing field.”

But some council members expressed concern about the cost of hiring a lobbyist.

“The decision to hire another consultant, particularly on the issue of Bolsa Chica, is political malfeasance in office,” said Councilman Dave Garofalo.

Garofalo also charged that the city has already spent about $250,000 on consulting fees for the Bolsa Chica project “with no results.”