Decision on housing nears

A Coastal Commission hearing next week for the Parkside Estates development in Huntington Beach has spurred a flurry of activity among opponents of the plan, including Bolsa Chica Land Trust members.

The fate of 50 acres of the Parkside property, owned by Shea Homes, will be decided during the commission hearing. The area, which lies east of the Bolsa Chica mesa and is part of the wetlands ecosystem, is referred to as the Upper Bolsa Chica wetlands by trust members.

The hearing is set to take place Tuesday at the Los Angeles Harbor Hotel in San Pedro.

About 25 people, including the Neighbors for Wintersburg Restoration group — which is made up of residents living in the surrounding area and working with the Bolsa Chica Land Trust — plan to attend the meeting.

About 170 homes are slated to be built on the Shea property. The property is bounded by Graham Street on the east, Kenilworth to the north and the Wintersburg Flood Control channel on the south.

The project was approved by the City Council in 2002 and since then has been awaiting commission approval.

Councilwoman Debbie Cook, who voted against the project back then, said the area is part of the historic wetlands area.

"It would be a mistake to allow development, especially with global warming," she said.

"There will be a continued problem with low-lying property so it makes sense to deny the project," Cook added.

But Shea Homes' flood control plan will help 8,000 businesses and homeowners in the area who have no flood insurance to come out of the flood zone area, Shea spokesman Laer Pearce said.

Commission staff is recommending denying the city's plan and is recommending approval with certain modifications to increase the amount of wetland area left undeveloped.

The property is being farmed by Shea Homes to grow string beans, cabbage and bell peppers, among other produce.

"Shea would have you believe that farming is responsible for all the species," Bixby said.

Pearce said the company is not surprised by the commission's recommendation.

"It's all good," he said.

"We understand their concerns," Pearce said, adding: "We're happy that the commission thinks the site is suitable for houses. We're pleased that we have come so far."