November 13, 2008 From the Press Telegram

Los Cerritos Wetlands plan is complex

By John Canalis, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 11/12/2008 09:58:26 PM PST

Online Extra

Download the complete city report

Los Cerritos Wetlands, seen facing southwest with Pacific Coast Highway at the top in December 1999, could be slated for restoration under a deal being proposed by Long Beach officials. (Stephen Carr/Press-Telegram)

LONG BEACH - City officials on Wednesday outlined details of a complex proposal that could lead to the most significant environmental project in modern Long Beach: restoration of the Los Cerritos Wetlands.

"Our goal is to put these 175 acres in the public trust in perpetuity," City Manager Pat West said at a news conference at the Aquarium of the Pacific. "It's something we've been working on since the dawn of time."

Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick said the exchange of land between the city and a private developer that would make the deal possible requires additional real estate appraisals and City Council approval.

"Let me make this very clear - this is a proposal," she said.

Frick said the council will learn more about the deal in a study session at Tuesday's meeting.

The city has proposed exchanging parcels elsewhere in Long Beach with the developer, who owns 175 acres of degraded wetlands in the area of Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway to Los Cerritos Channel, as well as an area south of Second Street behind the Long Beach Marketplace.

As proposed, that portion of the wetlands would be sold to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, a public agency, for restoration, along with two adjacent parcels: a 66-acre property called the Bryant land and the 174-acre Hellman property.

The goal is to combine those three parcels for a restoration project on the level of nearby Bolsa Chica. The city would net 192

acres in exchange for about 52 acres.

"We envision this to be the absolute jewel in the crown of the wetlands," Frick said.

How Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority would come up with $25 million to purchase the parcel, and then millions more to restore the habitat, is unknown.

Belinda Faustinos of the wetlands authority said that she believed the money could be found to acquire the site, possibly from a park bond or a coastal conservancy.

Frick said one possibility - at least for partial funding for restoration of the wetlands - is for the authority to use environmental credits from the Port of Long Beach.

When the port undertakes a project in the harbor, such as dredging, it can use the credits from upsetting the environment in one area to make improvements to another.

Frick said she would like to see the credits applied in Long Beach when possible, rather than in other qualifying communities.

The parcels going to Los Cerritos Inc., which is headed by investors Tom Dean and Jim Berger, include a 12-acre city service yard on the Westside, about 9.5 acres of Long Beach Gas & Oil land at Spring and the San Diego (405) Freeway and nearly 30 acres slated for the sports park on Spring.

Much of that land, Frick said, could be used by businesses that generate taxes for the city.

Projects on those sites, she added, would go through the normal review processes as they are proposed.

Former City Manager Jerry Miller, who is representing Los Cerritos Inc. as a consultant, issued a statement: "This will confirm that Los Cerritos Wetlands Inc. has been in discussion with the city of Long Beach over the past several months concerning both parties' interest in seeing the Los Cerritos Wetlands property, as well as the developable portions of the property placed into the public trust so as to enable the ultimate preservation and public enjoyment of the wetlands."

Los Cerritos Wetlands Inc., according to Miller, would retain mineral rights in the wetlands area and "will continue to conduct oil operations in an economically-beneficial and environmentally sensitive manner."

"The city and LCW Inc. acknowledge that the wetlands and the oil operations can continue to co-exist, as they have for decades, and is commonly found in other wetlands areas in California," Miller's statement said.

Another issue that needs to be decided is where to relocate city facilities on land going to Dean and Berger, the city service yard on the Westside and the Long Beach Gas & Oil building on Spring Street.

Frick said the city is considering relocating the service yard to a parcel at Long Beach Airport and has various possibilities citywide for Gas & Oil.

Sports Park

In order to make the deal work, the city would sell much of the 55 acres of property at Spring Street and Cherry Avenue originally slated for a $50million sports park to the developer.

"In this economy, we're unable to cobble together the funding for this project," Frick said.

Some of that land - about 18acres - would be dedicated to open space.

Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga said in a letter to the editor on page A10 in today's Press-Telegram that she had concerns that the deal would impact recreation opportunities promised to the Westside.

"It is true that all great deals come at great cost, and cost of this deal is borne by the residents who unfortunately are all too familiar with bearing the burden of this great city - the West Side of Long Beach," Uranga wrote.

In addition, the city would use proceeds from the sale to acquire a nearly 19-acre oil field in the Wrigley Heights neighborhood for open space that neighbors have long wanted to improve. That estimated value of that land is $19million.

To offset the loss of the soccer fields proposed at the sports park, the city's Department of Parks Recreation and Marine is scouting locations to build 10 new soccer fields west of Long Beach Boulevard.

The sports park - which was proposed for adult league play - initially offered three soccer fields. The new fields would be built primarily for children.

Council reaction

Some council members expressed initial support for the proposal.

City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell praised environmental activists for pushing for the project for so long.

"I thank those who have remained vigilant in their efforts to protect and preserve this space," he said. "It is clear that the advocacy to protect the wetlands played a role in getting everybody to the table."

City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who has a task force that addresses wetlands, said, "While the City Council has yet to see the details on the proposed land deal that will result in the purchase of wetlands property, I do feel if done correctly it could be the most significant step this city has taken to preserve our environment."

john.canalis@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1273

November 12, 2008

Breaking news: Long Beach to acquire Los Cerritos Wetlands Goal is to restore environmentally sensitive site By John Canalis, Staff Writer Article Launched: 11/11/2008 11:34:20 AM PST Aerial view with map outline of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. (Carl Hidalgo/For the Press-Telegram) LONG BEACH - The city plans to acquire the remaining sections of the Los Cerritos Wetlands in a complex land-swap deal that will be formally announced Wednesday morning, a city official said today. The city will acquire the land generally bounded by Second Street and Pacific Coast Coast Highway to Loynes and Studebaker drives and another section near the Long Beach Marketplace near Shopkeeper Road. The plan is to deed the environmentally sensitive wetlands to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority and "restore back to its natural habitat," said 3 rd District Councilman Gary DeLong. "This has been a goal of the city for decades, and I hope it will come together this time," he said. In exchange for the wetlands property, the city will give the land owner 50 acres of city land in different parts of Long Beach.

October 22, 2008

MEETING at ROGERS MIDDLE SCHOOL THURSDAY OCTOBER 23RD ON SEADIP.  THIS IS PART TWO WHERE THEY WILL HAVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.  5:30 TO 8:30

September 23, 2008

 

UPENA meeting

1. presentation on OCTA closures and highway constructionj

2. UPENA by laws were revised and passed by a majority of attendees.

3. Minutes with more information on the meeting will be posted soon.

September 19, 2008

Be on the alert for solicitors collecting money for the OBAMA capaign.  They take checks, credit cards and CASH.  This may be a SCAM.  They came to our door two nights this week after 8:30PM!  They did not respect that we had a sign that said "NO SOLICITORS".

 

WHAT:      General  Meeting

WHEN:      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

TIME:         6:00 to 8:00

WHERE:     Kettering School Auditorium

 

                 AGENDA

 

1. Mayor Bob Foster, Measure 1 Long Beach

    Infrastructure.

 

2. OCTA, Orange County Transportation  

    (freeway closure).

 

3. Airplane flight paths.

 

4. Seaport Marina, Ira Brown City of Long     

    Beach.

 

5. Surfrider Foundation.

 

6. Neighborhood News.

 

7. Bylaws.

 

If you have not been in awhile to our general meetings, this is a good time to come.

 

 

August 15, 2008 COYOTE MEETING

Councilwoman Schipske will be hosting a meeting at the Senior Center on Studebaker Road.  UPENA has been invited to the forum. They  will be dealing with the coyote issue. 

 

 

Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Community Forum - Living With Wildlife in Long Beach Community Forum "Living with Wildlife in Long Beach" Monday, August 18 6:00pm El Dorado Senior Center 2800 N. Studebaker Rd. I encourage you to attend a community forum I am hosting about living with wildlife in Long Beach.  Attend and learn about the coyote population in Long Beach and get answers from wildlife professionals. Joseph Torres from California Fish and Game will present information on "Living with Wildlife" in Long Beach, a presentation with an emphasis on the coyote population and behavior.  All residents are welcome to attend. For more information about wildlife in Long Beach, please the City of Long Beach Animal Care Service web page: http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/tips/wildlife For more information on the meeting, please contact the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske at 562-570-6932 or district5@longbeach.gov.  I look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 18, 6:00pm, at the El Dorado Senior Center.

Hi Pat,

I had not been on my e-mail for some time and was surprised to see all the postings about a coyote that was injured and a nuisance and threat to kids and domestic animals.  All the postings appear to be describing the same coyote.  This should be of some interest to the Fish & Game or Animal Control or whoever the proper authorities are.  Since when do residents have to be held hostage by a wild animal with no help from organizations that our tax dollars pay for.  Just want to let you know that my daughter was out jogging around 10 p.m. Wednesday and spotted an injured (probably the same) coyote trotting down Laurinda.  The coyote did not approach her but did not run away from her either.  Since seeing the postings, it is obvious that this animal has lost its fear of people.  I called Animal Control, and was transferred to the Fire Department dispatch as it was after hours.  They said they would contact the proper authorities.  Not sure if anyone ever came to investigate.  Hope they get involved and trap this coyote (and if injured treat him) before releasing him in a more user friendly environment.  Thank you for keeping us posted...Susanne 
--------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

 

I live at 370 Daroca.  My daughter spotted this coyote that she calls "Gimpy" several times late at night.  She has also seen one or two others.  I doubt Gary DeLong will do anything.  I contacted his office for help on a couple of issues but he "blew me off." 

 

Prior to this, I lived in Jackie Kell's district and on any probelm I had, her office gave our neighborhood and my family immediate help.  Either Councilman DeLong did not have the connections and power to address the problems I brought to him, or he was not interested in helping someone who opposed him on Home Depot. 

 

Vector Control may be more helpful in this instance.  If it is any consolation, even NYC and Washington D.C. have a coyote problem.  They travel down the river and canal system in the East that runs from the Canadian border to the Chesapeake Bay.

 

Karen Oknayan 

 

August 1, 2006 - from todays Press Telegram

Home Depot plan for East Long Beach dies but developer has other ideas

By Karen Robes Meeks and Joe Segura, Staff Writers

Article Launched: 08/01/2008 05:36:56 PM PDT

LONG BEACH - Home Depot has pulled the plug on plans to build a home-design center in East Long Beach, but plans to develop the land are still moving forward.

The decision, in part, is based on the company's move to achieve "capital efficiency," during a period of economic woes, a spokesperson told the Press-Telegram on Friday.

"The Home Depot is currently not moving forward with its plans to build at the proposed Long Beach site," said Kathryn Gallagher, senior manager of communication for Home Depot's western division.

However, the developer - Tom Dean of Studebaker, LB LLC - made it clear that it was not vacating plans to build on 16.5 acres east of Studebaker Road at Loynes Drive.

"We look forward to working with local officials and the community in providing a successful project on the site that the majority of Long Beach residents agree needs to be improved," said Mike Murchison, spokesman for the developer.

The disclosure comes on the heels of a developer's settlement with neighborhood and environmental groups that object to the $21.5-million plans for a Home Depot design center.

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust announced that developer Tom Dean of Studebaker LLC has settled with the trust and the University Park Estates Neighborhood Association.

According to the Land Trust's release, Dean agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount in legal fees, give up fighting a judge's ruling to decertify the

environmental impact report approved by the City Council and vacate all permit approvals.

Land Trust treasurer Ann Cantrell, whose group fought the project because it feared the development would negatively affect the surrounding wetlands, called the settlement "a very significant victory."

"It means that the developer is going to have to find something to put there that is compatible with the surrounding wetlands, and he'll have to do an adequate EIR next time," she said. "The judge has made this clear. Our goal is to save and restore the wetlands and I think this puts us closer to achieving that goal."

Homeowners Association President Janice Dahl said city planners now have fresh opportunities to provide better proposals for the coastal zone area. She said any threat of introducing industrial use at the property would encounter stiff resistance locally and from the state Coastal Commission.

The area is now zoned for general industrial uses.

"We're all saying this victory is a win-win for all southeast Long Beach," she said, adding that development of the Dean site, along with the restoration of the adjacent wetlands will draw many visitors to the area. "It will not be a 'crackerbox' development, but something people will marvel at."

Sources close to the settlement said that Long Beach is required in the next few months to demonstrate that it has invalidated the project's conditional use permit, the site plan, the tentative tract map and standard variance.

News of the settlement surprised some in the city.

Planning Bureau Manager Greg Carpenter said he had been waiting to hear back from Dean about the direction of the development when he found out about the settlement.

City Manager Pat West also said the settlement was news to him.

"We're looking forward to talking to the property owner about what his next steps are," West said.

Since submitting his project in August 2003, Dean's vision for a design center with 12,000 square feet of retail, 6,000 square feet of restaurant space and the project's centerpiece - a 140,000-square- foot Home Depot with a garden center - has been met with controversy and litigation.

Critics contend that the project would have negative impacts on the Los Cerritos Wetlands and on traffic.

Despite opponents' concerns, the council voted 6-3 in favor of certifying the EIR in 2006. Councilman Gary DeLong, whose 3rd District encompasses the project, said at the time that Home Depot would create good jobs, bring in tax revenue and improve the property. He also said at the time that his constituents supported the project.

The homeowners' association and the wetlands Land Trust took the matter to court, where a Los Angeles Superior Court judge sided with the two groups and tentatively ruled in 2007 that the city-approved EIR was was inadequate.

Dean was intending to appeal the judge's ruling. But he settled with the Land Trust "to avoid additional expense and continued litigation of issues," according to spokesman Murchison.

Councilman Patrick O'Donnell, who had been opposed to the project's EIR, said community input into whatever comes next at the site is vital.

"The community, the neighborhoods surrounding the wetlands have spoken and their message is clear," he said. "Save the wetlands. So going forward what we need to do is to create a process of opinions ... and choose how we want (the site) to look as a community."

 

July 31, 2008 - from Janice Dahl President UPENA

 

I thank all of you who supported my effort for envisioning a better South East Long Beach neighborhood that encompasses Los Cerritos Wetlands.  I put up the initial stake money to get the lawsuit going defending our quite enjoyment of our neighborhood against Home Depot, Studebaker LLC, etc.  I was so encouraged to see how many neighbors feel the same way and showed it through their financial giving.  There was much going on behind the scenes that I was not allowed to divulge but it proved worthwhile by the outcome.  I am also confident that as a community we will have a better South East Long Beach, a place for all of us to live together with our eventual beautiful Los Cerritos Wetlands.

 

Thank you,

Janice Dahl, president

University Park Estates Neighborhood Assoc.

 

The following is the official notification from UPENA and Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust.

 

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust (LCWLT) and the University Park Estates Neighborhood Association (UPENA) have agreed to a settlement that will result in the return of a significant amount of the legal fees paid on behalf of the LCWLT/UPENA in the lawsuit against Studebaker LLC (i.e. the Home Depot Project). As part of the agreement, Studebaker LLC will be dismissing their appeal of Judge Torribios decision to de-certify the Citys Environmental Impact Report and vacate all permit approvals.

One of the terms of the settlement agreement is as follows, The LCWLT and UPENA agree that the terms of this settlement agreement shall remain confidential to the extent possible, but recognize that the terms of this agreement may be shared with the members of the respective Parties and with government agencies. LCWLT/UPENA expressly agree that they will not affirmatively publicize the terms of this agreement by issuing a press advisory, press release or other broadcast communication to third parties.

We have not yet received the financial settlement, but are satisfied with the result and are eager to put this behind us and move ahead with other important matters, namely focusing on fighting for the restoration of the Los Cerritos Wetlands.

As always, we thank you for your continued support. It is quite clear to us that we would not have been successful without the help of our many members.
-------------------------------

July 28, 2008

This Tuesday 7-29-08 there will be a presentation by the design team for a "new?" at Seaport Marina Hotel.  The presentation is being held at Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust general meeting at Belmont Mobile Home Estates from 7-9 PM.  The Land Trust has invited UPENA and asked that I send an invitation out to all of you.  This is the Land Trust's meeting so we must be respectful of their agenda.  Please read below.

 

Thank you,

Janice Dahl, president

University Park Estates Neighborhood Assoc.

 

Please Mark Your Calendars

We have two upcoming events:

 1.    Carl Kemp and the management/design team of the Seaport Marina project will present their proposals for the development at Second and PCH.
        There will be a large block of time for questions and answers.

        Date, time, and place:  Tuesday, July 29, 7 to 9 p.m.
                                               Belmont Shore Mobile Estates Community Center between PCH and Studebaker on Loynes Drive
                                               (Tell the security guard you are there for the wetlands meeting.)



2.    Bird walk in Gum Grove Park:  Saturday, August 9, 8:00 a.m.
                                                            (See the directions to Gum Grove Park on our website www.lcwlandtrust.org)

July 27, 2009 Meeting on Caltrans work in the area.

It's not to late to attend a   West County Connectors Open House!       The details are as follows:     Thursday, July 24 6-8 p.m. Seal Beach Council Chambers 211 8th Sttreet Seal Beach, CA 90740     Thursday, July 31 6-8 p.m. Sequoia Elementary School 5900 Iroqius Road Westminster, CA 92683   There will be a formal presentation followed by a question and answer session during each open house at 6:30 p.m.   Questions?  Please contact Christina Byrne, OCTA Community Outreach, at (714) 560-5717 or cbyrne@octa.net

July 16, 2009

Per the LB Report, our neighbor and UPENA board member, took  part in his first hearing on the California Parole Board.

http://www.lbreport.com/news/jul08/drumatki.htm

 

July 13 2008 Coyote sighted several times at 5th and Peralta, NE corner in bushes.  Resident is trying to catch it.  Keep your pets safe.

Coyote or prairie wolf, small, swift wolf, Canis latrans, native to W North America. It is found in deserts, prairies, open woodlands, and brush country; it is also called brush wolf. The coyote resembles a medium-sized dog, with a narrow, pointed face

------------------------

 

July 9, 2008

Someone posted a warning sign for you pet owners to be aware that they spotted a Coyote at Vista and Laurinda, 5th and Margo and at the Margo and Vista enterance to Golf Course Path. 

I have walked a route around the Channel View Park and the Bixby Village Golf Couse for over fourteen years and have never seen a Coyote, but this morning I saw a pair of Racoons on Channel Drive!

 

June 13, 2008 SEADIP SURVEY RESULTS from Grunnion Gazette.

SEADIP Survey: Wetlands

		By Harry Saltzgaver Executive Editor A citywide survey of opinions about how to deal with development in southeast Long Beach has confirmed public priorities that activists long have claimed restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands, improvement of traffic flow and only modest commercial development. A relatively large response of 682 responses were received by the Department of Development Services during the two-month survey period. The survey was prompted by a directive in August 2007 from the City Council to solicit opinions and report back before going further to revamp the Southeast Area Development and Improvement Plan (SEADIP), a zoning master plan approved in 1977. That directive came after protests over a committees recommendations to revise SEADIP. That committee was formed by Third District Councilman Gary DeLong, and offered sweeping changes, particularly along the Pacific Coast Highway corridor. At the same time, efforts were underway to redevelop part of the tank farm at Loynes Drive and Studebaker Road into a Home Depot retail center, and dense redevelopment of the SeaPort Marina Hotel. Since that time, the Home Depot center project has been dropped and Lennar Homes has left the SeaPort project, which has started over with new development partners. But the themes struck by opponents of those projects remained in the forefront of the latest survey. Restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands was by far the top priority for respondents 79% listed it as number one. Most of the wetlands is privately owned and is being operated as an active oil field. As chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, Im continuing the attempt to acquire the property, DeLong said. At the same time, Im working on the federal level to get authority for the Port of Long Beach to gain mitigation credits for paying for the restoration work. Wetland restoration figured prominently in several survey questions. It was the most common response when asked how to improve the southeast part of the city, and it was central to the recreational opportunity many listed as a primary desired outcome for the area. Improving traffic also was a high priority. In addition to car traffic flow, many people requested more bicycle and pedestrian options. The owners of SeaPort Marina Hotel could read both good and bad into the survey results. The 11 acres on the southeast corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Second Street was listed as the site most in need of redevelopment and the site most under-used. A boutique hotel one potential component of the SeaPort redevelopment plan was the number one choice for reuse of that area, and specialty retail was a high second. However, the respondents virtually ignore the potential for residential in the area, which has been another large component of the SeaPort redevelopment plan. Providing housing opportunities ranked dead last in priority for 54% of the people, and only 10% listed that as a first or second priority. I was pleased with the process, DeLong said of the public outreach. Its interesting to note that 80% of the people want some updated zoning in the area. They want increased mobility and limited development.

 

May 23, 2008 - Deceased neighbor Perry Lindsey to be Honored

 

by Judy Griggs.

 

 I live at 450 Margo Avenue and for the past 37 years have lived next door to or where I live now, (across the street) from a special neighbor, now deceased, who is being honored by having the Long Beach Unified School District name a school for him.  The former Sutter School is now a middle school and named the Perry Lindsey International Magnet Academy.  You may or may not know that Perry was the first black teacher in Long Beach as well as the first black Principal in the Long Beach Unified School District.  He held many other important administrative positions even representing the school district in Sacramento.  Perry was also a Tuskegee airman and served in WWII and was recalled to fly in the Korean War.  He also received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. 
You may not know either that when the Lindsey's first bought their home the homeowner's association tried to prevent them from moving in because of their race.  It this day and age that is hard to believe.  Perry's wife, Evelyn, still resides in the family home.
My desire is to make a contribution to the school in Perry's honor. 

 

Please contact Judy if you would like to contribute.

ay 23, 2008

---------------------------------

 

May 3, 2008, Burglary on Vista near golf course.  Suspects were first spotted on Peralta where they were attempting a break in but were scared off when the owner came to see what was going on.  Be aware of strange vehicles and people casing our homes in the area.  I know its hard with painters, gardners and other workers around but you can usually spot a suspicious person who does not belong.

 

 

May, 5, 2008 COFFEE WITH THE LBPD EAST DIVIDION COMMAND STAFF.  Wednesday May 21st 2008 at 6PM.  Location is: GROUNDS 6277 East Spring St (Near Palo Verde) in the Alberstons Center.  Come have a cup of coffee with commander Renaud and Crime Analyst Karen Mc Dade.  Learn how to protect yourself from being a victim of identity theft and other scams.

 

 

April 1, 2008 (Not a Joke)

 

March
Dear Members and Friends of Los Cerritos Wetlands:

We have received the following notice from Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske of the 5th District.   We welcome this, our first opportunity to participate in the city's presentation of the SEADIP survey process.   Please notify your friends and  neighbors about this meeting, especially those you think would benefit from greater knowledge about the importance of the wetlands. 

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

Last Chance for SEADIP COMMENTS

Greetings!

This is the last chance to submit comments on the South East Area Development Improvement Plan (SEADIP) survey.  Please join me on  Monday, April 7, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. for a SEADIP meeting to be held in the Emerson Elementary Auditorium, 2625 Josie Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815.

There will be a presentation from the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, and  city staff will be accepting comments from those in attendance.  Please note that March 31, 2008, is the deadline to submit comments on-line.

Please visit the SEADIP web page for additional information and/or to take the online survey.  http://www.longbeach.gov/plan/pb/apd/special_studies/seadip.asp




Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

333 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach CA 90807

Phone:  562-570-6932  Fax:  562-570-6857

Email:  district5@longbeach.gov
 31, 2008 - LAST DAY TO

 

 TAKE SEADIP SURVEY! 

 

Just in New Link:

 

http://s-9y828-16109.sgizmo.com

 

 Go to http://www.longbeach.gov/plan/pb/apd/special_studies/seadip.asp and on the right side click on second hyperlink Take Online Survey.  If the survey does not open call Lisa at the Planning Dept., 570-6354

Long Beach Planning has posted their video presentation of the SEADIP revision onto YOUTUBE.COM.

I encourage visitors to "hit" the site and post a comment!

Log onto YOUTUBE.COM
search: longbeachplanning

Every little bit helps.

Why change something that works?

 

3/28/08  Where's our park sign?

 

I was asked by several neighbors and people I pass while walking, what happened to our park sign.  At first it thought it was some kids who took it but:

The sign needed some refreshing and is being replaced with a new sign. It's in the process of being created right now. I believe it has been routed out and is waiting to be painted and then finished. At that time it will be put back into place.

I don't have a timeframe right now, because our signmaker George Reantaso is an artist and makes sure these things are perfect before letting them go out the door. I wouldn't think it should take any longer than by the end of next week, if not sooner, but will have Ed let you know as soon as the sign is closer to completion.

Thanks.

Thomas A Shippey Manager, Maintenance Operations Parks, Recreation and Marine City of Long Beach 562-570-4899 tom_shippey@longbeach.gov

Service First      Safety Always ---------- I am anxious to see how it will look better!

 

 

 PERALTA AVE, IS PEACEFUL ONCE MORE.

 

Serenity, Tranquility and other words like these describe Peralta Avenues return from a CSULB parking lot to a pleasant neighborhood street like it once was.  As I take my morning walk I feel a sense of pride in being fortunate enough to live here.  Although we have to pay for parking permits to park on our own street over two hours, it is more than worth it.  Here are some pictures I have taken on my morning walks.

 

March 3, 2008 - PERALTA AVE GETS 2 HOUR PARKING.

As CSULB continues to grow, so does its need for parking.  Students for years have come down to University Park Estates to park for free.  Little by little most streets have applied for and were given Preferential Parking which requires home owners to buy permits but worth it. 

The need came when students took all the parking in front of our homes and would sit in their cars playing loud rap music and dumping their fast food bags and cups on to our curbs.  As a matter of safety, we residents did no know if it was a student parking in front of their homes or a potential burglar who was keeping tract of the comings and goings at you and your neighbors homes. 

I have seen many student bring their cars and park and then  carpool in one car to the University!  In addition on Tuesday trash pick up day, students have moved our trash cans on to the parkway to park and as a result the trash and recycele trucks cannot not pick up our containers.

The last unpermitted streets are:

1. 5^th east of Peralta
2. Vista east of Linares
3. Silvera south of 5^th along with all the cul-de-sac streets east of Silvera.

Residents of Peralta, click on link to obtain permits.  The sooner you get your permits the sooner we can report student parking viotaitions. http://www.longbeach.gov/commercial/preferencial.asp

Give us your comments

--------------------------

from the grunnion gazette.	Judge Tells Home Depot To Restart

			By Harry Saltzgaver Executive Editor A judge has told developers of a proposed Home Depot Design Center on Studebaker Road to go back to square one, and has suggested that the land might even qualify as potential wetlands. Judge John A. Torribio issued the ruling last week, saying that an Environmental Impact Report was inadequate on a number of grounds, and voided all permits received by Studebaker LB, LLC, saying the EIR needed to be redone. Studebaker LB, LLC, and principal Thomas Dean have tried for four years to develop property next to the AES Power Plant at Studebaker Road and Loynes Drive. It currently is home to a tank farm of mostly unused oil tanks. AES Alamitos, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust and University Park Estates Neighborhood Association filed the challenge to the EIR after a divided (6-3) City Council certified the EIR on Oct. 3, 2006. In addition to the court challenge, the decision was appealed at the state Coastal Commission, where it still has not had a hearing. While the city is listed as the applicant for the EIR, Deans company paid the bill for the work and has been responsible for costs of responses to the appeals, according to City Attorney Robert Shannon. It would be up to Dean to decide the next step, Assistant City Attorney Mike Mais said. Dean was unavailable for comment. The proposal would have created a center with a 105,000-square-foot Home Depot, along with a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and 22,000 square feet of retail space. The Home Depot was touted as a Design Center with more upscale shopping available. Environmentalists had fought the project from the beginning, saying it would impact wildlife in the wetlands across Studebaker Road both by its presence and because of the traffic it would generate. Residents of University Park Estates, diagonally across the intersection of Studebaker and Loynes from the proposed center, also opposed the project on grounds of traffic impact, while the company operating the power plant said there was not enough mitigation of potential safety problems created by the project. Torribio agreed with appellants on virtually all counts. His ruling said it was wrong to place the burden of safety from trespassers on the power plant (AES wanted a 12-foot-high fence between the project and the plant, but the city did not make that a requirement). On the complaints from the Wetlands Land Trust and the neighborhood group, the judge found against the developer in seven separate categories although the traffic impact category was thrown out only because typographical errors had not been corrected. Inadequate studies were made, Torribio said, on the impact to the burrowing owl on the tank farm site as well as sensitive plants on the site. Night lighting and noise impact on the nearby wetlands was not adequately analyzed, either, the judges ruling said. Most controversial in the ruling was the judges opinion that wetlands delineation had been ignored, and even degraded areas were protected if there was potential for returning to a wetlands state. Despite respondents contention that the area is totally paved and developed for 50 years, a biologist reported that, flat unvegetated dirt in the bottom of the basins surrounds each abandoned tank, the ruling says. Photographs indicate that the berms and swales are at least vegetated. Respondents have not conducted a delineation and there is no substantial evidence in the record to support their assumption that no portion of the project site needed to be evaluated for its potential of being wetlands. The EIR also inadequately studied alternatives, the judge said, including a different location for the development. Faults also were listed in the way air quality studies were done and how documents were made available for public review. Dean also has been stalled at the state level, where the Coastal Commission staff had recommended denial of the project. The first roadblock there is a ruling that the property had been improperly subdivided without the Coastal Commissions approval. The state hearing has been postponed twice and now is on permanent hold, according to Chuck Posner, regional manager for the Coastal Commission. While the Home Depot project has been delayed, Dean and Studebaker LB, LLC, has stayed busy. Last October, Dean purchased the Bixby Ranch Co.s share of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. The 189 acres of property include about 40 producing oil wells. Dean and Studebaker LB, LLC, also are owners or partners in the Pumpkin Patch property on Pacific Coast Highway east of the Marketplace shopping center. Third District Councilman Gary DeLong has begun meetings with Dean to explore purchase of the wetlands and interim cleanup of the property. DeLong is conducting those talks in his capacity as chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, a joint powers authority that already has title to one parcel of the wetlands on the Orange County border and is in negotiations to purchase other parcels. An attempt to purchase the Bixby Ranch property by either the city or the state Land Trust reached the appraisal point several years ago, but stalled there. The spike in oil prices put any development on hold in 2006.

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