Developer May Sell Bolsa Chica

The dispute over the Bolsa Chica wetlands took an unexpected turn at the Huntington Beach City Council meeting Monday when the developer for the first time signaled a willingness to sell the coastal property--if the price is right.

It’s unclear who would be in position to buy the valuable land located alongside the Bolsa Chica wetlands, one of the largest remaining coastal wetlands in Southern California. The city is not in the financial position to afford an asking price expected to be potentially hundreds of millions. The state is also unlikely to come up with the money, City Council members said Monday. That may leave the federal government in the best position to do so--or it may pave the way for a private entity to step in.

“We now have a willing seller; we must look for a willing buyer,” Mayor Peter Green said.

Under the agreement offered by Hearthside Homes, formerly known as the Koll Real Estate Group Inc., the city would have until June 2000 to exercise its purchasing option.

But some are distrustful of Hearthside’s apparent openness to a sale, noting there are many strings attached to the developer’s offer.

One condition set by Hearthside is that it would turn its back on the sale if it were sued. Environmentalists have brought several major suits challenging development of the mesa and the nearby wetlands.

The city would also be stripped of its purchasing ability if the city pursues certain legal action, such as protesting Hearthside’s development plans coming before an upcoming Coastal Commission.

Huntington Beach City Councilman Dave Sullivan said Hearthside’s willingness could open the door to a federal appraisal of the land.