25-Theater Complex Wins Council’s OK

Developers planning a high-tech, 25-screen movie complex on Katella Avenue have cleared their final city hurdle.

City Council members on Tuesday night unanimously upheld the Planning Commission’s conditional approval of the project after being assured that planners had resolved potential traffic problems.

The 26-acre complex will replace the Stadium Drive-In and feature theaters with stadium seating, along with eateries and shops in Art Deco-styled buildings.

Investors hope to open the complex next April, said Joseph E. Syufy of Syufy Enterprises. Century Theatres Inc. and Syufy Enterprises, both of San Francisco, said the project could bring the city $7 million in revenue within 10 years.

Councilman Fred L. Barrera appealed the commission’s April approval, but he withdrew his opposition after traffic experts reported that the complex would not tie up city streets.

“I am now satisfied that all concerns have been dealt with,” Barrera said Tuesday night.

Some local business owners, however, said they were not reassured by the experts hired by the developers. They expressed concerns that the Century 25 complex would snarl traffic at Katella and Main Street.

James H. Holly, who owns Database Publishing Co. in Anaheim, said he moved to the area in part because of the traffic jams at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa.

“I had that little exposure and I’d like to avoid it again,” he told council members.

But Santa Monica traffic analyst Pat Gibson said the 2,300 planned parking spaces, as well as the design of the entrances and exits at the complex, will be more than adequate for the traffic.