Completion of SEADIP (Southeast Area Development Improvement District) and Wetlands protection

By Stephen C. "Steve" Bello

SEADIP is the zoning area mostly located on Pacific Coast Hwy between Loynes Dr and the Seal Beach Border.

It was a shame that we only made a lateral move with that project. We had a grocery store, and now have another grocery store. We had a restaurant and now we have another restaurant, from the same owner. We have a CVS in place of a Bank and real estate office. We did not gain any new businesses or jobs.

I spoke to the owner of that property, and they would have preferred to start from scratch, and raze the entire property, add more square footage for more businesses, and build a second story of office space that is in great demand in that area. Instead he had to "remodel" his existing buildings. Now we have a beautiful grocery store, but it faces the wrong direction. It should be facing Pacific Coast Highway instead of Marina Drive.

That is why it is SO important that we complete SEADIP soon and not later. We are missing the boat on building more private sector jobs!

Wetlands preservation and restoration will need to work in harmony with new development once we have the "re-introduction" of SEADIP. This must be done to insure that future development has an "environmental balance". Delineation is not the only answer for wetlands preservation! I would like to model after many other cities in the U.S. that have successfully integrated new developments and wetlands. There are numerous successful examples for us to model after to insure proper wetland preservation, and successful development to work together and be enjoyed simultaneously.

If we allow integration of development with wetlands, this will allow our community to enjoy the wetlands, which not only are we not enjoying, most of it can't even be seen. I have already spoken about developers and offsite improvements. We would be able to negotiate with developers to help revitalize our wetlands, and make them accessible for everyone to enjoy. This will insure that our wetlands are cared for properly since they will be policed by the same people that are enjoying them on a daily basis.