Hole in the Ground (Pacific City) Plans Challenged by Mayor

If you are one of those civic-minded individuals who actually watches Huntington Beach City Council meetings on HBTV, you'll recall the free-flowing comments of praise and adoration from council members Joe Shaw, Mayor Connie Boardman, Joe Carchio, Matthew Harper, etc., about Pacific City plans to begin construction and fill "that hole" or "eyesore" on Pacific Coast Highway.

The praises aren't so favorable today, however. At least not for one City Council member -- the Mayor! In late August 2013 Connie Boardman appealed the Pacific City project to the City Council for final determination.

Her appeal was the result of 'last week's planning commission meeting in which Mark Bixby recused himself from the vote and the remaining planning commissioners (appointed by council members) unanimously approved Pacific City plans presented by DJM Capital's Lindsay Parton, whose company built the revamped Huntington Beach Mall into the thriving Bella Terra.

So what's the problem' 13 to 19 new dining establishments (numbers vary) may be permitted to serve liquor till 2 a.m. in the newly-approved configuration of "the hole." Add to the HB's downtown problem of late night crime blamed on the city having the highest concentration of bars of any city in California, and alarm bells went off, just as the Downtown Task Force prepares for its first meeting to address alcohol, traffic, and other concerns local residents and shop owners have.

While some planning commissioners questioned the number of alcohol serving establishments and discussed limiting them in the proposal for Pacific City at their recent public meeting, Parton was emphatic that his company must have the plans accepted as presented. He cited the success and quality of restaurants and bars at Bella Terra as evidence that the company should be trusted to create a quality neighbor free from problems facing Main Street bars and restaurants.