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An oil company that owns a stretch of Orange County’s coastline in Huntington Beach near Bolsa Chica State Beach has proposed a major project of houses, retail and a hotel.
As many as 800 housing units and a 350-room hotel, plus dining and shopping uses, have been proposed by California Resources Corp., a Long Beach-based energy company that applied for such a development to the city of Huntington Beach.
The proposed mixed-use development would be built next to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, two areas designated to protect coastal habitats and marine life.
California Resources Corp. (NYSE: CRC) owns the 92-acre property along Pacific Coast Highway between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street, where the mixed-use development could be built. The publicly traded company, which has a $3.2 billion market cap, explores, develops and produces crude oil, oil condensate, natural gas liquids and natural gas to California refineries, marketers and other purchasers.
The Bolsa Chica wetlands area for decades was the subject of an intense dispute between conservationists and developers. The latest battle was settled in 2016 when the Bolsa Chica Land Trust announced an agreement to purchase 11 acres of disputed property.
The energy company proposed converting the industrial land it owns between the northwestern edge of downtown Huntington Beach and Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve into a mixed-use development with housing, a resort-style hotel, dining options and shopping.
California Resources specially proposed 800 residential units on 53 acres, a 350-room hotel on 16 acres while leaving 23 acres for open space with a park along Pacific Coast Highway and recreational uses for residents and visitors.
“The goal of this project is to shape the future of the property with the evolving needs of the local community,” Bob Grundstrom, California Resources Corp.’s senior vice president of business development, said in a statement.
The 92-acre property in Huntington Beach includes 1.2 miles of coastal frontage. Hundreds of housing units already exist just east of the California Resources Corp. property.
Altering a Stretch of Limited Coastal Use
Goldenwest Street is an unofficial dividing line separating the dense urban landscape of downtown Huntington Beach and a stretch of the city with an ecological preserve, marine conservation area and state beach.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a 1,300-acre coastal habitat with hiking trails, guided tours and a nature center. The area is known for its diverse bird and marine life.
Bolsa Bay State Marine Conservation Area, located just north of California Resources Corp.’s property, is part of the reserve where the displacement of any living marine resources is prohibited.
Grundstrom acknowledged a conversion of California Resources Corp.’s industrial uses near the reserve and conservation area into a development with housing, dining and retail raises red flags for locals.
A Waiting Game
California Resources, in a statement about its application, said its proposed development would take years to realize, if at all. The energy company must first secure a zoning change.
The proposed project must then gain separate approvals from the California Coastal Commission and Huntington Beach City Council.
“This multi-year project, which fronts 1.2 miles of Pacific Coast Highway between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street, will provide for the restoration of the land from its current industrial use so that it is ready for its next chapter,” California Resources Corp. said in a statement.
Huntington Beach’s specific plan currently requires California Resources to use 94% of its 92-acre property for commercial uses, or up to 1.7 million square feet for hotel, office and other visitor-serving uses.
California Resources’ application seeks to change the city’s specific plan to allow for residential use, parks and open space. n