LAFCO approval last step for Sunset annexation

The county has made its final approvals to prepare for Huntington Beach's impending absorption of Sunset Beach.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 23 approved a pre-annexation agreement with the city over the small beach community. The Huntington Beach City Council approved the agreement Nov. 15.

The annexation now needs one final approval from the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO. The county agency can't deny Huntington's annexation application, only add terms or conditions, LAFCO officials have said.

LAFCO put Sunset Beach under Huntington's sphere of influence more than a year ago in a move to rid the county of unincorporated islands.

Since then, some Sunset Beach residents have been searching unsuccessfully for ways to avoid becoming part of Huntington, including asking Seal Beach to annex them and making a bid for incorporation.

Huntington Beach put a stop to the community's incorporation effort Aug. 2 when the council voted to move forward with annexation.

Although the annexation is almost a done deal, a group of Sunset Beach residents recently threatened to sue to stop it.

LAFCO is expected to approve the annexation at 9 a.m. Dec. 8 in the Orange County Planning Commission Hearing Room, 10 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana.

Britney Barnes