CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Bolsa development to be mulled

A long-planned development by Shea Properties in the upper Bolsa Chica is going before the California Coastal Commission again today, and the developer hopes to prevail this time. Commission staff still recommend more changes, saying one portion of the property is protected wetlands, and local opponents plan to show up in force at the meeting.

The Parkside Estates development, which the City Council approved in 2002, went before the commission last summer. The commission rejected Huntington Beach’s application to zone the area, saying the plan had flaws and needed modification.

The company is sure this proposed version of the project is well thought out and has a good chance of going through, said Shea Properties spokesman Laer Pearce.

“We’ve been working for 11 years on this plan,” he said. “We’ve done over 30 studies on the area. We’re very confident in the truth and accuracy of our science. We’re looking forward to the hearing.”

So are opponents like the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, which has opposed the development for years. The trust’s director, Flossie Horgan, says her group believes much more of the property may be on wetlands.

“If these wetlands really haven’t been delineated properly, you can’t build on them,” she said. “It’s not separate from the system at all; it’s contiguous with the Bolsa Chica.”

The group, which plans to bus supporters to the meeting in San Pedro, also opposes flood-control measures Horgan says go too far and will cut off wetlands from vital seawater.

“There’s nothing wrong with flood protection and levees,” she said. “But we don’t believe that you protect wetlands from water; you protect houses from water.”

But Pearce calls the flood protection a safety measure that nearby residents are clamoring for.

“They support the project overwhelmingly because of the flood protection and the safety it’s going to provide,” he said. “New levees and new pumps will lead to lower flood-insurance premiums and the termination of flood-insurance premiums. We can take 7,000 homes out of the flood zone.”

The commission meeting takes place today at the Crowne Plaza Harbor Hotel in San Pedro.

Taste of Huntington Beach raises $65,250

The sixth annual Taste of Huntington Beach raised $65,250 for local charities.

The Huntington Beach Children’s library will receive a $40,000 check from the Huntington Beach Restaurant Assn., while the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines stationed out of Camp Pendleton will receive $13,000 from the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, which hosted the event.

The Taste of Huntington Beach has brought more than $250,000 to charities in its six years.

Community Services having open house

The city’s Community Services Department is having its first open house from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 19 at the Bella Terra mall, in the theater area.

The city will hold performances, art will be on display, and there will be many more activities and presentations as well.

Street redevelopment meeting tonight

Those interested in the planned redevelopment of Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue should attend a community meeting held by the city Economic Development and Planning departments tonight. The meeting on the Beach Boulevard/Edinger Corridor Study Area will last from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 2000 Main St.

The workshop will teach participants about corridor revitalization, opportunities and possible difficulties, transportation challenges and economic issues. Residents will have the chance to contribute ideas and knowledge to the effort as well.

For more information, call associate planner Rosemary Medel at (714)536-5271 or project manager Paul DaVeiga at (714) 536-5544.

Art Center to host auction fundraiser

The Huntington Beach Art Center is holding its annual auction fundraiser starting Friday, featuring the works of 40 contemporary artists.

The fundraiser begins with a free “Meet the Artists Party” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Art Center, 538 Main St. The party features wine and hors d’oeuvres, and both the artists will be present with their artwork.

That event is followed on May 19 by a “Live Auction Party,” in which 25 pieces will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The night includes the center’s Artini bar and music by Glenn Hartman. Proxy bidding is available for those who cannot attend.

Tickets for the auction party are $50 for the public and $45 for art center members, but are $10 off if purchased by the end of today. For more information, call (714) 374-1650. Artwork can be seen online at www.surfcity-hb.org/Residents/ recreation_culture/Art_Center.cfm.