Panel Tries to Pave Road for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks haven’t signed an agreement to practice at Rams Park, but Monday the city’s Planning Commission approved a three-year permit that will allow a professional football team to use the facility.

The commission’s action was mostly a formality, officials said, and simply removed the name “Los Angeles Rams” from the existing permit.

Still, about 10 residents attended the meeting and voiced their displeasure over the site being used for a professional football team instead of as a school. Some are concerned about the level of noise and traffic a new team would bring.

“The idea of comparing a school crowd to the Seattle Seahawks is a ridiculous thing,” said Dick Hill, a veteran Orange County high school football coach who has lived near the site for 40 years.

But city officials said a football team would be less disruptive than an elementary school, which the site is expected to become after three years.

“If it’s used as a school, there is a much higher impact,” said Greg Smith, general manager of Anaheim Stadium.

Smith said if the Seahawks were to relocate to Anaheim permanently, the city would want to build the team a new practice facility elsewhere in Anaheim.