HomeMy WebLinkAboutStatus Report on Hellman Ranchf
MEMORANDUM
April 10, 2000
TO: MAYOR YOST AND
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: KEITH TILL,
CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: Status Report on Hellman Ranch
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Receive and file status report and provide any guidance
or direction to staff that Council deems appropriate.
BACKGROUND: The project approved by City Council and the Coastal Commission
has effectively been overturned by an appeals court case in the San Diego area which,
although filed against a different development project,had a direct impact on Hellman
Ranch. This resulted in the withdrawal of the project which would have permitted an 18-
hole golf course, 70 houses, a 5-acre commercial center on PCH, dedication of Gum
Grove Park and a 40-acre wetland restoration paid for by the Hellman Ranch project
developer.
The property owner has since entered into a settlement agreement that would allow for
the 70 houses to be built,with 100 acres of degraded wetlands and grasslands property to
be deed restricted as open space. The golf course and commercial component were
abandoned, along with the investment of private funds for wetlands restoration. Gum
Grove Park dedication and improvement monies, a contribution to median landscape
improvements on Seal Beach Boulevard and other negotiated amenities remain part of the
project.
Wetlands:
Staff has been working closely with a grant-writing consultant and Hellman Properties to
compete for large sums of funding soon available from the newly-passed state Park Bond
and Water Bond. The California Coastal Conservancy last month added Hellman Ranch
to a list of priorty projects for wetlands restoration funding. We are focusing on a
cooperative approach involving the landowner, a conservancy or land trust, and the City
as a strong supporter of a restoration project. Current efforts are aimed at determining
what additional technical information the Conservancy and other grant authorities need to
evaluate our request. Legislative advocacy will follow.
Past efforts at wetlands restoration funding failed due to lack of public and private
funding sources. With passage of the Park Bond and Water Bond, the City now has
opportunities never before present to pursue restoration dollars.
Parking lot:
The plans originally approved by the Coastal Commission required a new entrance to an
expanded Gum Grove Park, along with a parking lot with 10 spaces just off Seal Beach
Boulevard, approximately 150 feet from the rear property lines of certain homes on
Crestview Avenue. The executive director of the Coastal Commission would have sole
authority over signs to be placed along Seal Beach Boulevard and PCH directing the
public to Gum Grove Park.
The City's testimony before the Coastal Commission vigorously objected to the new
parking lot and entrance off Seal Beach Boulevard. The Coastal Commission's objective
appears to be to redefine the nature of Gum Grove Park from a passive community nature
reserve into a regional attraction. The City's position has remained that the park is too
small to accommodate regional needs. There are also security concerns associated with
new access points to trails that cannot be adequately patrolled in the area below existing
residences. Additionally, it is inappropriate and ill-advised to establish a regional facility
for severely degraded wetlands property.
The public has been advised of the City's position on this matter, and maps showing the
Coastal Commission's proposed park access and parking lot location have been posted in
the City Hall lobby for the past month.
The Hellman Ranch project, as modified, is tentatively scheduled to be heard before the
Coastal Commission in May. Testimony regarding any component of the project may be
presented at that time.
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to approve a motion to receive and file status
report and provide any guidance or direction deemed appropriate.