Approved: 2nd and PCH Project Heads to City Council

Approved. 

After a dozen community members spoke in strong disapproval for the proposed 2nd and PCH project, the Long Beach Planning Commission voted 4-3 on Thursday night to approve the project, and send it on to the City Council. 

Project approval was expected, as the Planning Commission voted in October to certify the Environmental Impact Report, and voted to pass alternative three — which allows for 12 stories, 275 residential units, 100 hotel rooms,175,000 square feet of commercial space.

The vote signified that the commissioners approved the updated site plan, subdivision map and Local Coastal Development permit requests. 

The Local Coastal Act currently has regulations in place that would not allow for such a project. Many speakers at the meeting, including Mel Nutter, attorney for Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust, point out this fact and were disgusted that the commission would considering voting on something that would be “dead on arrival.”

“The coastal development permit you are being asked to approve is not consistent with the Local Coastal Program, so be careful,” Nutter said.

Commissioner Alan Fox, who voted against the project, said before the vote was cast, that “this project won’t pass the Coastal Commission, and our staff may say it is not our business, but I wrestle with the questions that are left unanswered.”

The commissioners voted the same as they did in October, with Commissioners Leslie Gentile, Becky Blair, Donita Van Horik and Melani Smith voting to approve the project, Commissioners Charles Durnin, Philip Saumur and Fox opposing the project. 

Elizabeth Lambe, executive director of Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust has said that “a vote to change the local zoning (to allow 12-story buildings and residential use) would be illegal since it violates the Coastal Act and current regulations for the area and should certainly result in the whole issue being rejected at one point along the way (either at the Coastal Commission level or if it ends up in court).”

But project Developer David Malmuth said he was very happy with the result of the meeting, and looks forward to bringing his proposal to the Long Beach City Council.

“We made the changes consistent with alternative 3, and we have addressed all other issues the planning commission had,” Malmuth said. “We are exciting about taking the next step in this project, and the next step is bringing this to the city council.”

Malmuth and staff discussed the benefits to the community, as they have in the past. But during Thursday nights meeting, they talked about the potential retailers that will be signing on if the project is passed.

Malmuth’s staff said that Apple has toured the project site both on foot and in a helicopter, and in addition, Urban Outfitter and Anthropology have “shown great interest in signing a letter of intent to be a part of the commercial space.”

Prior to the vote community members urged, and some even begged, the commission to turn away the project.

Melinda Cotton, a Belmont Shore resident for 28 years, told the commission to listen to the speakers and listen to the public who have made it clear they “don’t want the project.”

“We are here to tell you that this project is not what the community wants,” she said. “We are also here to tell you that it isn’t legal to pass it since it violates the Coastal Act — this will get turned back, so why continue with this process?”

Jordona Cager, a Long Beach resident, told the commission to use common sense when voting and finally look at the problems of the project and the unanswered questions.

“There is overwhelming concern from the community about this project,” she said. “It doesn’t make sense to pass a project on when it will get turned back. Why pass something that no one wants? It is time to stop this process, and start over and find something that everyone can agree on.”

Jeff Miller, a Belmont Shore resident, echoed that same concern, and told the commission their job is to do what is best for Long Beach and for the future of the city. 

“If this process continues in this fashion it will be delayed for years,” he said. “You will send it to the City Council who will send it to the Coastal Commission who will not approve it. Do the right thing, I know you won’t, but do the right thing.”

After community comment, the commissioners were quick to take a vote which stamped the project for approval. Malmuth said the project is tentatively on the schedule for the Dec. 20, City Council meeting, but added “nothing is set.”