SEAL BEACH : Old Ranch Project to Get 3rd Hearing

The Planning Commission will hold a third public hearing on the proposed Bixby Ranch Co. development plan Wednesday night, which could bring an advisory vote on the project’s environmental impact report.

The proposed Old Ranch residential and commercial development would include 223 homes, a hotel and a restaurant near the Old Ranch Country Club.

During two previous public hearings, opponents said the development would add too much traffic to already congested streets. But Bixby Ranch Co. officials have pledged $1 million in roadway improvements they say will prevent additional congestion.

The Planning Commission vote is advisory and will be forwarded to the City Council as a recommendation.

Commissioners could delay a vote and schedule additional public hearings. But Planning Commission Chairman Anton Dahlman said if public comments are concluded early, a decision could be made Wednesday night. He said fewer residents commented on the proposed development at the second public hearing last week.

“It’s possible we could vote on it at this next meeting,” Dahlman said.

On May 23, the city’s Environmental Quality Control Board ruled that the environmental impact report was “inadequate,” because of potential traffic congestion and aircraft noise from nearby Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center.

But the city Planning Department and the city attorney are recommending approval of the project, according to Lee Whittenberg, director of development services for the city.

The hearing begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall.