(March 19, 2010) -- LBReport.com has learned that Sean Hitchcock -- who ignited controversy one year ago today when he bulldozed vegetation from the SE LB Loynes South parcel without permits (responding to a city weed abatement directive) after acquiring the property (from Tom Dean) with plans to turn it into soccer fields -- has purchased a piece of property bordering the former PE "Red Car" line in the area of Orange Ave/Smith Place (north of PCH at about Hill St., north of LBCC's Central LB campus)...and is turning it into what appears to be a recreational use.

Visible from the Orange Ave. bridge (looking SW), the triangular piece of property appeared sodded, greened and fenced when we photographed on March 13. Prior satellite photos show it was vacant.

The L.A. County Assessor's office says the parcel (zoned R1M, nominal address 2150 Orange Ave.) indicates a sale on Dec. 30, 2009 to Sean Hitchcock and his wife for an indicated sale price of $480,004. Assessor's office staff says the seller was a bank (to whom the property returned from its former owner). Its previous recording date was March 15, 2006 when the land was valued at $660,282.

LBReport.com has learned that city staff received an administrative use permit application on or about March 16 seeking recreational use of the property; the paperwork is currently pending initial review by city staff.

Efforts by LBReport.com to reach Mr. Hitchcock directly were unsuccessful. Spokesman Mike Murchison told LBReport.com that he'd spoken with Mr. Hitchcock, who confirmed that he'd purchased the property and was making improvements to it (outside landscaping outside and inside to a building on site).

After the SE LB land clearing, Mr. Hitchcock sought permits to recap the Loynes landfill...and city staff declined requests by wetlands advocates who sought restoration of the property to its former condition. Wetlands/neighborhood advocates appealed city staff's decision to LB's Planning Commission...which upheld city staff's decision.

Appellants have now appealed City Hall's decision to the CA Coastal Commission...which last week determined that a substantial issue(s) was raised by the underlying action...and designated the matter for a hearing in the coming months.

Wetlands advocates remain incensed about the outcome of City Hall proceedings over the SE LB parcel...and have scheduled a vigil tonight, March 19 -- to mark the one year anniversary of the land clearing -- at the SE LB Loynes parcel (just west of Studebaker Rd.) from 6:00-7:30 p.m. On the website of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust today (March 19) the following text appears:

It's the one year anniversary of this event, and we need to keep the pressure on to ensure that the land is put back the way it was. You will be doing your part to remind decision makers that however long it takes, you expect justice for this fragile habitat area...Yes, it has been a whole year since the bulldozers ravaged the land near the corner of Loynes and Studebaker. In just hours, what was once a thriving ecosystem became a barren moonscape, later made worse with more grading and imported fill dirt.

Justice has been delayed, but thanks to the Coastal Act, justice has not been denied...