Foes of Bixby Commercial Project Hope Legal Victory Means Cutback

The proposed Bixby Old Ranch Towne Center, one of the most controversial projects in Seal Beach’s history, has been delayed by a court ruling ordering the city to rework a study of the development’s environmental impact.

The victory in the lawsuit filed by the city of Los Alamitos gives hope to opponents that the project can be revised to reduce the traffic they fear will race through their quiet residential streets.

They also want to save more of the beloved eucalyptus trees that are being cut down to make way for the project.

“I’m very pleased because it gives people a second chance to review a decision that has just been very, very unpopular,” said Joe Siler, an area resident and vocal opponent of the project.

While Siler and some other residents hope to convince the City Council to change the project by limiting commercial acreage and adding more homes, city officials say that is unlikely. They note that Seal Beach, which in Orange County ranks second to last when it comes to sales tax revenue generated per capita, needs the income. And the project has gone too far already.

“It’s virtually not possible,” said Seal Beach City Manager Keith Till. “The zone changes and general plan amendments have already been enacted, the maps have been recorded with the county, and a lot of time and money has been invested by the landowner and developer.”

The Bixby Ranch Co. project would consist of a retail shopping center, 75 homes, a senior citizen facility and an expanded golf course on 218 acres in north Seal Beach. Eucalyptus trees along Seal Beach Boulevard and Lampson Avenue that are being cut down would be replaced by four times as many trees elsewhere on the property. But critics said that the mature, attractive trees will be replaced with much smaller ones.

Residents of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and College Park East had united against the project, gathering 3,300 signatures out of concern over traffic, noise and the trees. But the council approved the project in November, citing additional city revenue estimated at more than $1.3 million per year.

Los Alamitos filed a lawsuit claiming the project’s environmental impact report was inadequate because it did not fully address the effect on schools and traffic.

Judge William F. McDonald sided this week with Los Alamitos. The two sides are expected to appear in court today to discuss the new study.

Bixby Ranch Co. Vice President Ron Bradshaw said he intends to keep moving forward on the parts of the project that aren’t affected by the judge’s order.

Residents miss the hundreds of eucalyptus trees that already been cut down during site work. Dorothy Whyte, who lives in the College Park East neighborhood near the project, says that with the trees cut down, the area is a sad shell of its former self.

“We go down Lampson not looking to the left or the right,” Whyte said. “It’s very sad.”

Mayor Paul Yost, who supports the project, said he feels bad about the trees but said the project will benefit the city. He said revenue will help to pave the streets in College Park East, where residents have been most vocal in their opposition.

“I’m sad about it too. I don’t like to see trees cut down,” Yost said. “It looks like the moon. However, as part of this plan they are going to replant trees. . . . It’s going to be beautiful when they’re done.”

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Bixby Ranch Delayed

A judge’s decision sets back plans for a golf course expansion, 75 homes and retail shopping.