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Assistant City Manager Tom Modica acknowledged that the facility would be larger than now-demolished former pool and attract more people for events as well as recreation. With only roughly $60 million of a $103+ million estimated price tag currently in place (and a final cost figure still not disclosed), City staff told the Planning Commission that cost issues [raised by opponents] are outside Commission's purview. City staff said it received 161 written submissions in support and 12 in opposition.

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Supporters (at Rebuild Belmont Plaza Pool) advised its Facebook readers prior to the hearing: "A big turnout of our supporters would help show the Commission that we are eager to see the new facility permitted ASAP! Please attend the meeting - wear aquatic gear - t-shirts, jackets, etc. for maximum visibility to the Commissioners." Aquatics supporters have argued that rebuilding the pool (officially an Aquatics Center for its many features and amenities) at the SE LB location will enable major swim meets and competitive events that will draw visitors, produce revenue and build Long Beach's reputation as an Aquatics Capital.

Image via City of LB Power Point

Looking west from spectator seating. Image via City of LB Power Point

Looking south from 10 meter diving platform. Image via City of LB Power Point

View from the beach, looking east. Image via City of LB Power Point

View from Belmont Pier parking lot. Image via City of LB Power Point

Image via City of LB Power Point

Seventeen speakers, many from LB's Aquatics community and with family diving histories, spoke in support, including Debbie McCormick of McCormick Diving. Multiple supporters cited the site's history as important to them and said the proposed Aquatics Center would bring needed tourism/visitor benefits in addition to providing recreation. Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell (D, LB) submitted a statement in support read by an aide.

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Ten speakers spoke in opposition. Coastal protection advocate Gordana Kajer (who shortly before the hearing launched BelmontPOOLitics) charged that the facility is designed for competition and spectator events, not for community recreation, Ms. Kajer introduced retained counsel, former Coastal Comm'n Chair Mel Nutter, who raised issues regarding the city-staff requested zoning variance. Belmont Shore area advocates Melinda Cotton and Jeff Miller argued for recirculating the proffered draft EIR (testimony presented by an attorney as they were unable to attend.)

Other opponents included Joe Weinstein and Ann Cantrell with Citizens for Responsible Planning who stressed that they don't oppose the proposed facility but do oppose its proposed location. They urged it be located downtown to avoid liquefaction/seismic risks and sea level rise, and Dr. Weinstein charged that the draft EIR had "dissed" alternative sites. Ms. Cantrell said alternative locations (deemed infeasible in the draft EIR) included the area just east of the Convention Center (suggested by some for a George Lucas museum) and Queen Mary events park, and Ms. Cantrell raised a number of other EIR issues.

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Some opponents cited equity issues, stating that the City of Lakewood provides two pools for a smaller city population. The LB Area Peace Action Network called the proposed facility a "poster child for race and class privilege" and advocated pools in other underserved Council districts.

Nearby property owner (Olympix Fitness) Kurt Schneiter responded by calling opponents "obstructionists" and said those who raised the race issue "should be ashamed."

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In colloquy with Commissioners, city Advance Planning Officer Chris Koontz said CEQA (governing the draft EIR) doesn't require the City to consider every conceivable alternative and to staff's knowledge, there's no downtown site sufficiently large or readily available for the facility.

Commissioner Mark Christoffels (LB's former City Engineer) said LB's Aquarium was built on sand downtown and is more heavily loaded than the proposed pool, and said he has complete confidence that rebuilding facility in same location as the previous pool (demolished for discovered seismic insufficiency) will be fine because of new seismic standards.

The vote by non-elected Planning Commission was unanimous, virtually ensuring appeal(s) to LB's elected City Council approaching the 2018 election cycle when five Council seats plus citywide offices (including Mayor) will be on the ballot.