HUNTINGTON BEACH : City Council Tables Pierside Project

In the wake of the overwhelming passage of a parks and beaches protection initiative, the City Council has decided to table the controversial Pierside Village project.

City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga told the council this week that the passage of Measure C will force a citywide referendum on the project. Included in Pierside Village are at least two restaurants on paved land abutting the beach, immediately south of the municipal pier.

Measure C, passed by a 73% margin on Nov. 6, prohibits the city from selling or leasing park or beach land without both a majority vote of the City Council and the city’s voters.

Critics of Pierside Village have said it would ruin the city’s ocean view and would hamper public access to the beach. Supporters say the land in question--now a paved parking lot--would be beautified and the public would have easier access to the beach.

Jonathan Chodos, representing Pierside Village’s proposed developer, told the council he does not think Measure C applies to the project.

But Uberuaga disagreed. “This project is affected (by Measure C). We do have a memo from the city attorney’s office indicating how this project is affected,” he said.

The council agreed with Uberuaga’s recommendation and unanimously voted to defer action on Pierside Village pending the completion of a new master plan for downtown redevelopment.