Member Column-SB Housing Element
by Bob Croft
LW contributor
I understand that the City of Seal Beach 2021-2029 Housing Element Appendix B—Land Inventory has been published.
The city has determined that the 5.5 acres housing the recreation vehicle storage lot in Leisure World is on the list as “underutilized.”
Other private and federal property in Seal Beach also has recreational vehicle storage. Those locations would be less disruptive to the Leisure Would community.
Adding any new housing to Leisure World would only add more traffic and congestion on our streets, overload the underground sewer and storm water systems, and more noise pollution to the adjoining Mutuals 8 and 4.
We already have a parking problem on our streets. Additional vehicles will only add to the problem. And the new build would tower over existing single-story units. Do you want someone looking through your windows any time of night or day?
GRF would have to add more Security and maintenance staff, another building inspector, and additional administration staff, etc.
Construction trucks and heavy equipment would be needed for the construction of a building. This would devastate our roadways, and cause a lot of unnecessary noise and traffic congestion.
GRF has increased its staffing over the past couple of years, even though the population has not increased since Leisure World was built over 60 years ago.
The City of Seal Beach does not have the authority to force private property owners to increase the housing density to meet the city housing element mandated by the state.
The Golden Rain Foundation is the trustee of common property in Leisure World. The GRF Board of Directors can vote to sell or develop the 5.5 acres RV Storage Facility property. The GRF Board does not need the approval of its members. It is the only entity that can move forward with any plan to sell property. (Editor’s note: The GRF is awaiting an opinion on this from legal counsel to verify this information.)
The city cannot force GRF to use the 5.5-arce RV lot for additional housing.
GRF Board members who are in favor of developing the 5.5 acres should publicly identify themselves to our community. I believe members of Golden Rain Foundation and Mutual shareholders do not want, and will not vote for, any kind or type of new housing being built in in Leisure World. We love our community just the way it is.
Editor’s Note: There is no plan to sell property in Leisure World. The City of Seal Beach cannot force any private property owner to develop its land. The Seal Beach Housing Element is a statemandated document to show the city’s capacity for growth. Almost all the parcels identified in the housing element are occupied by other uses as the city is built out, meaning it has very little land that could be potentially developed. The housing element gives no new power or rights to the Golden Rain Foundation. The RV lot could have been developed yesterday or 20 years ago—the authority already exists from a planning and zoning perspective, which is all the city can change. Most of the other sites included in the housing element must be rezoned in order to accommodate housing. Nothing changes for LW with this document, according to Alexa Smittle, community development director for the City of Seal Beach. The city’s town hall Sept. 27 can be viewed at lwsb.com.”
