Hellman Ranch Development

Expressing concerns that the controversial Hellman Ranch proposal might violate state coastal law, the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday delayed a ruling on the plan--a surprise turn of events that disappointed the project's supporters and critics alike. That vote by the commission, which was meeting in Santa Barbara, came after more than four hours of emotional testimony.

With a final showdown a day away, supporters and critics of the Hellman Ranch project in Seal Beach are engaged in a fierce tug of war over whether state coastal law allows the filling of wetlands to build a golf course.

The state Coastal Commission staff has dramatically changed its stance on the Hellman Ranch project in Seal Beach, drawing cheers from environmentalists but harsh criticism from the developer, who warned the change could doom the project. Although the commission staff initially agreed to the plan, it now says that replacing wetlands with an 18-hole golf course flies in the face of state Coastal Act policies intended to protect the fast-vanishing marshes along the California coast.

Hellman Ranch project managers will hold an informational community seminar on the proposed development from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Mary Wilson Library, 707 Electric Ave. The community forum follows a tense two weeks in the city where the mayor quit, then rescinded her decision, after receiving a threat that police speculate may be linked to the Hellman project.

In the first step toward finding a new archeological firm to conduct studies at the Hellman Ranch site, the city's Archeological Advisory Committee will appoint as many as five of its members to sit on an interview panel. The 10-member committee will make the appointments at a special meeting starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council Chambers, 211 8th St.

What started as a quiet candlelight vigil to protest possible development on American Indian burial sites turned into a shouting match between local Indian activists and city officials Monday night. Accusing council members of trying to "push through the Hellman project," about 50 members of various tribes started the evening with a vigil before approaching the council with their concerns.

With no last-minute debate and before only a handful of residents, the Seal Beach City Council on Monday unanimously approved the exceptionally controversial plan to develop the 231-acre Hellman Ranch. Mayor Marilyn Hastings and Council member Gwen Forsythe simply shook hands after the vote and quietly thanked the project's representatives.

The California Supreme Court has decided not to hear a request by the Mola Development Corp. for reinstatement of its 149-acre project on the Hellman Ranch property. The company hoped that with Supreme Court backing it would be able to move forward on its plans to build 329 homes on 41 acres of wetlands, leaving 26 acres of parkland. This is the second blow to the project in five months.

City Clerk Joanne M. Yeo filed a petition Friday asking a Superior Court judge to review all ballot arguments and rebuttals for two measures to make sure none of the statements are misleading. Yeo had filed a petition Thursday asking the court to change a ballot argument against Measure B-91, an advisory, non-binding measure that would list specific recommendations on the development of the Hellman Ranch property.