Council Halts Action on Bolsa Chica Permits

In a move that may further delay a controversial proposal to build 1,234 homes on the Bolsa Chica mesa, the City Council this week decided to stop processing further permit requests from the developer.

The council’s decision follows a recent Superior Court ruling that will delay the Koll Real Estate Group project for at least a year. The judge ruled that the California Coastal Commission, which is responsible for managing development of the California coastline, had not allowed adequate public comment in approving Koll’s project. A new hearing on the project is expected later this year.

The mesa project has long been a contentious issue between environmentalists, the city and developers.

Councilman Dave Sullivan, who initiated the council’s vote, said city staff should not be involved in evaluating or processing requests from Koll until the matter is resolved by the Coastal Commission or the Superior Court’s decision is reversed.