Another Attempt at 3 Story Homes?

Michael Bubbe,  the civic leader instrumental in the campaign supporting Seal Beach’s proposition to limit  heights in Old Town to 25 feet  last year, told “What’s Up” that there is another project being brought before the city for taller buildings, in spite of the Proposition Z results.  

Proposition Z, which passed overwhelmingly with 73% of the vote, was thought to put the third story builders out of business once and for all with the 25 foot height restriction.  Apparently an applicant  is asking to exceed the 25 foot height limit on four properties on 10th Street.  This “height variation” will come before the Planning Commission at 7:30 on Wednesday, May 20.  

“What’s UP” tried to contact Lee Whittenberg, Director of Planning for Seal Beach, to  find out how this application would be processed but Mr. Wittenberg will be out of town until May 27, a week after the applicant pleads his case.

Measure Z, which passed with a large majority vote citywide in the November general election, stated that new buildings in Old Town are limited in height to 25 feet.  This means that stairway access routes, elevator housings, and covered roof access structures – all known colloquially as “doghouses.”   According to Mr. Buhbe, all are forbidden because they go above the 25 foot height limit. Nevertheless, the developer is asking for height variations that would exceed the 25 foot height limit on four properties.  

One of the properties in question is on the corner of Central Way and 10th Street.  This is the white frame building on a fifty foot lot across the street from the Methodist Church.  The plan is to bulldoze the old frame building and build two new houses.  Mike Buhbe says “Citizens cannot protect historic buildings but we can work together to ensure that new buildings in Old Town do not go higher than 25 feet, as Measure Z specified.”

Those that choose to can attend the Planning Commission meeting and/or  write a letter expressing their views on the height variation request for the four properties on 10th Street to: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Planning, City of Seal Beach, 211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach CA 90740. You may phone 431-2527, extension 1313, and leave a brief message stating your opposition to projects that violate the 25 foot height limitation.  

Mike Buhbe is asking all those who supported the height restrictions in November to come and support the two story height limit of 25 feet.  Mike  Buhbe’s number is  562-598-2269 or miketwostories@mac.com>

While “Whatsupinsealbeach.com” respects the rights of all citizens to express their thoughts, it should be noted that during the months before the November vote on Proposition Z, local print papers received tens of thousands of dollars in ad revenue supporting the opponents of the height restriction.  Many of whom  who would benefit financially by building structures that exceeding the 25 foot limitation. Even so the people spoke with their votes and  Proposition Z passed with one of the largest majorities of any proposition on the statewide ballot.

The Planning Commission meeting is Wednesday, May 20, at 7:30,  at City Hall on Eighth Street and it is expected that both sides will be well represented. 

Mike Buhbe is asking all those who supported the height restrictions in November to come and support the two story height limit of 25 feet.