Neighbors voice opposition

Huntington Beach residents packed the Planning Commission’s first study session on the updates to the Downtown Specific Plan on Tuesday to voice their disapproval with the city’s possible development of their neighborhood.

The Downtown Specific Plan is a long-range planning document that dictates building specifications and is being updated to increase development over the next 20 years. The plans encompass the area south of Goldenwest Street and north of Beach Boulevard along the beach and from the pier to Palm Avenue with Sixth Street and Lake Street as the boundary lines.

The residents don’t have an issue with the plan as a whole, just with the part that would turn their neighborhood by Main and Sixth streets into a “mini-destination” by building a performing arts theater, art center and underground parking structure. The purpose of the development is to create a cultural arts district to anchor the north end of Main Street.

About 70 residents came to the first of a series of study sessions, which, according to Associate Planner Jennifer Villasenor, are designed to familiarize the Planning Commission with the Downtown Specific Plan.

“Contrary to popular belief, we have, none of us, made up our mind yet,” Planning Commission Vice Chairman Blair Farley said.

The neighbors are also concerned with losing Triangle Park and the Main Street Library to the possible development, and more than 20 residents voiced their disapproval during public comment.

“This cultural arts center is not for the residents,” said Kim Kramer, spokesman for the neighbors’ Huntington Beach Downtown Residents Assn. “This is for getting heads in beds . . . It’s all about transient occupancy tax.”

The study session addressed the purpose of the update to the Downtown Specific Plan, as well as its process and background, and an analysis of major changes to the plan.

The plan was created in 1983, and the current update was initiated by the City Council in 2006, when development in the downtown reached the current maximums. The update will change development and parking standards and alter zoning guidelines to accommodate future development.

The plan will increase retail, restaurant and office facilities, as well as residential units. The updates also call for sustainable and green building practices.