Councilwoman, resident appeal downtown ruling

Two residents have filed appeals on an Environmental Impact Report for the Downtown Specific Plan that will allow increased development over the next 20 years and was certified by the Planning Commission.

David Rice, a member of the Huntington Beach Downtown Residents Assn., a group opposed to any updates that would allow the destruction of the Main Street Library and Triangle Park, and City Councilwoman Jill Hardy filed separate appeals with the City Clerk.

Rice and Hardy are appealing the Planning Commission’s certification of the plan’s Environmental Impact Report. The commission approved it at its Oct. 6 public hearing.

According to Hardy’s appeal, the report didn’t “adequately analyze and address traffic circulations and parking.”

Rice is alleging the report didn’t cover all impacted parties, that there wasn’t enough time for the public to review the final changes to the plan and that the city violated the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines of disclosure, according to his appeal letter.

“Poor document management has significantly impeded the public’s right to fair review in violation of [California Environmental Quality Act] guidelines of providing a good faith effort and full disclosure,” Rice wrote in his appeal.

Hardy could not be reached for comment.

The Downtown Specific Plan is a long-range planning document that dictates building and parking specifications and design guidelines. The plan is being updated to increase development over the next 20 years. The appeals and the commission’s approved version of the Downtown Specific Plan will go before the City Council on Monday.

The commission made a number of changes to the plan, including eliminating tiered parking at the beach and lowering building heights and density allowances, but the commission’s approved version of the plan will not be available for the public until before the council meeting.