HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmailed Comment from Schelly SustarsicJune 8, 2026 Seal Beach City Council Meeting
Re: Item F. Old Ranch Country Club Development Project EIR
I would like to submit these comments into public record. They concern any additional Hydrology
studies and/or drainage analysis in this Environmental Impact Report and extension of the contract.
The homes in the western section of College Park East Neighborhood in Seal Beach drain their
stormwater overflow into the Old Ranch Country Club Golf Course, by way of storm drains on
Ironwood Avenue. From its origin, the neighborhood has drained most of its stormwater to the golf
course and must continue to be able to do so. With increasing extremes in the weather, it has been a
challenge for the neighborhood to convey its stormwater to the golf course. However, the golf course
must also be able to accept that storm water without interference.
It is critically important that the Old Ranch Country Club development consider cumulative effects on
Hydrology and drainage. If there is a considerable amount of buildout and/or the pattern of drainage
is altered on the property, a very detailed study will be needed to consider all the impacts these
changes could have. Merely adding space on the course to hold the overflow resulting from that
buildout is not enough. Exploring all cumulative impacts so that changes to the drainage flow do not
hinder the ability for College Park East to drain its stormwater is necessary as well.
In addition, the approved development in Los Alamitos at 4665 Lampson plans to increase the
impermeable surfaces on that site to 90 percent, possibly resulting in added run-off (because of the
high water table in this area). This stormwater overflow will either cut across the Joint Forces Training
Base, if allowed, onto the eastern edge of the Old Ranch golf course, or travel down Lampson to the
storm drain at Basswood and Lampson. This storm drain, along with those in the Aster-Basswood
area of College Park East also currently drain into the lake that is in the plan to become a hotel in this
project. Careful consideration is needed to how storm water will be able to enter the golf course from
College Park East and not be subject to tidal effects from, and compete with, the stormwater
contained in the golf course’s swale along Lampson; also, attention to detail about how this
stormwater will be able to reach the newly expanded lake system on the golf course when blocked in
its path by the construction of a new hotel.
Thank you for inclusion and consideration of my comments.
Schelly Sustarsic
College Park East, Seal Beach