Seal Beach Opens Eminent Domain To Secure Access at Riversend

The land in question is 21,000 square feet that would appear to be undevelopable.  It is where the city’s sewer line ends and a sewer clean out exists.  

The group that owns that parcel also owns the 10 acre parcel that used to be owned by the LA Dept of Water and Power.  And therein lies the problem.

When the Dept of Water and Power owned that little segment they gave the city right of access.  The group that bought the 10 acres also inherited the parcel in question and believe that the city’s access right ended at that time.

That owners group has been trying to develop a resort hotel on that 10 acre piece of land for about 20 years. The city, in the past, has shown an interest in such a development as long as there is substantial open space left for the community.  The owner’s group does not want to grant sufficient open space in the city’s view.

The attorney for the group said his client’s would donate the 21,000 feet to the city but apparently there was a caveat that the city would have to agree to approve the development the owners want to build their hotel complex, although that did not come up in Monday night’s meeting.

After listening to the attorney’s “offer” on behalf of his clients the council, without comment, voted that the city should begin “eminent domain”  proceedings to acquire the property.

Edward Selich, the Project Manager, implied quite strongly that they would fight the city’s offer for the land next to the sewer clean out and try to get more than 200 times what the city is expected to offer.

What’s Up In Seal Beach wants to congratulate the city council for taking the eminent domain position.  Too many city councils in Orange County have given way to threats and demands (which seem little better than blackmail) in the last 40 years and their cities have become shells of what they once were.

Seal Beach citizens have consistently supported those who want to keep our city as it has been for 100 years. A sort of “Mayberry by the Sea.”  Take a walk down Main St. any weekend and ask the visitors why they are visiting and the locals why they live here.  You know the answer.

Prepare yourselves folks.  This one is far from over and we’ll again here about: height limits, owner’s rights (over majority rights) apple pie and the Flag.   Just remember  one thing….. IT’S  ALL ABOUT MONEY ….and maybe just a little greed!