Council Campaign Issues: Rezoning Leisure World
The Seal Beach Housing Element for 2021-2029 indicates that Leisure World is a likely candidate for rezoning to allow for the addition of 150 housing units, using the argument that current uses of the LW property are given to “surface parking or low value uses such as storage.” The report claims,
“An additional 150 units can be accommodated on approximately 5 acres at a density of 30 units to an acre within areas that are currently utilized for community shared amenities. New three-story buildings can accommodate parking on the ground level with units above.”
This claim is an answer to the State of California’s request that cities identify local areas suitable for additional housing units.
My position: This analysis and its conclusion are an insult to the residents of our community, and an invasion of our rights.
We moved to this private community to control our own homes and neighborhood. Had we not wanted this, we could have remained outside. It is not for the city to decide the uses of this private neighborhood, to which the city provides almost nothing in the way of infrastructure or maintenance.
Presumably the “shared amenities” to be covered in new housing and/or stacked parking are our open areas, including the RV park and the former garden plots.
This announcement by the city is probably the first shot in a longer battle to force us to accept additional housing. We need to tell the city that this is a non-starter, right now.
I am running for City Council in the city’s 5th District. Please consider me for your vote when ballots arrive. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Michael McGrorty
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