My Belmont Heights

By Bill Thomas

The volunteer members of the SEADIP committee headed by Third District Councilman Gary DeLong need our thanks rather than bad press. Many appreciate the effort they have made in suggesting improvements in zoning and development guidelines for the areas along PCH in the east side of Long Beach.

I have attended three such meetings. Two were promoted by negative flyers stating untrue “facts” distributed in our neighborhood. It is apparent that these flyers bring out the negative people who are looking for a forum to complain, with no real interest in learning information.

It was disappointing to see the press report on the complainers and not fact on reasons to upgrade the 30-year-old guidelines.

The presentation that was given at our AHHA (Alamitos Heights Homeowners Association) meeting was informative and given as a complete presentation that invited and received many comments.

At the other two meetings I attended, complainers interrupting made it difficult to follow the actual proposals. It was embarrassing that people would shout derogatory comments in the middle of a presentation to interrupt it. When asked for positive suggestions, these people had nothing positive to say other than more people would increase traffic and ruin the wetlands. I guess they feel that going back 30 to 50 years in time is the only solution.

I purchased my first home Belmont Shore in 1956 for $8,000. I could lament for the good old days also. To ask people not to move here is no solution. Long Beach is a great place to live and people will continue to come. We must prepare some logical guidelines for growth that will still preserve the uniqueness of the wetlands and beautiful beaches of our area.

I still enjoy paddling my kayak near the wetlands areas and riding my bike in this area under discussion.

The suggestions of this committee include some great bike trails and walking routes along connected strip parks. This should get some attention and be done now rather than the negative perception of all building height going to 60 feet. We need traffic mitigation and it will not be done if there is not a proper plan in place that requires developers to provide traffic mitigation as cost of development.

The anti-60 feet comments by the negative hecklers did not allow explanation that only some areas would allow 60-foot heights not to exceed 35% of the building area and only with separation and green space in between, no variance allowed. This will assure no “Big Box” stores will be built in this area.

PCH is a gateway to the eastern section of our city. There will be more cars along PCH even if they are only passing through. We must have a plan that is logical and requires the mitigation of traffic that will increase even if we do nothing. As the plan states this will be more than 10 years to even begin having effect but we must put a logical plan in place now before more unwanted developments are pushed through.

At the age of 74, I expect my bike rides and kayak paddling may diminish in another 10 years. But by then I could enjoy a path for strolling with plenty of rest benches.

This park space would be a great plus even if we must wait that long.

Progress must be made. We owe thanks to the nine members of Councilman DeLong’s advisory committee. You should present the proper facts. The vast majority of the Third District citizens appreciate the efforts of these volunteers, even though our voices get lost in the noise of the hecklers.

Bill Thomas is an AHIA board member.