Updated Alternatives Analysis Please provide a more detailed alternatives analysis that, at a minimum, includes an in-depth discussion of the feasibility of alternative project locations including, but not limited to, the Elephant Lot and a location outside the coastal zone closer to the communities that are intended to benefit from the proposed City-wide and Underserved Programming.

(The Coastal Commission Notice to the City is visible as pages 28-31 to 53 pages of materials labeled "Public Comment" as an attachment to the Planning Commission's Dec. 19 hearing item.)

The Elephant Lot issue isn't a surprise to city staff. A June 13, 2019 city staff Power Point presentation to a "Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center Stakeholder Committee" listed among "Coastal Commission Concerns" "Alternative Site -- Coastal prefers the Elephant Lot Site."

On Dec. 3, 2019, city staff told the Mayor/Council in a "to-from-for" memo (first reported by LBREPORT.com here) that the City had provided Coastal Commission staff with "additional information" in its Nov. 2019 application for the revised/downsized project. But three days later, Coastal Commission staff responded with its Dec. 6 Notice of Incomplete Application" (above) seeking additional information.

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Opponents of the locating the pool along the Belmont beach shoreline have repeatedly raised the issue of the downtown Elephant Lot site, starting with the project's original EIR. (The City's EIR response called the downtown site "infeasible" based in part on what it said was a lengthy contract with a church group.) A City Council majority voted to certify the EIR and a Superior Court judge upheld the Council action, reasoning that regardless of whether some felt the beachfront site wasn't the best location, the EIR met minimum CEQA requirements.

But that was before Mayor Garcia signaled on a social network the possibility of a downtown location (presumably the Elephant Lot) for a George Lucas museum. (Mr. Lucas chose L.A.'s Exposition Park.) Thereafter, city staff [we have reason to believe coordinated with Mayor Garcia] began exploring [including the expenditure of taxpayer resources] of using the Elephant Lot for various types of development including a sports facility that might lure the Anaheim Angels to LB. (The Angels chose to remain in Anaheim.)

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LBREPORT.com has picked up chatter from more than one source of considerable interest and possible forthcomming proposals, from both inside and outside City Hall, for proposed major development involving the Elephant Lot and adjacent Convention Center area.

If that proves true, it invites the inference that City Hall's rejection of the Elephant Lot as an alternative site for the pool may have had less to do with its merits than a desire to use the Elephant Lot for other future developments.

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In addition, the Coastal Commission's Dec. 6 Notice of Incomplete Application voiced concern about the sufficiency of public outreach prior to scheduling the Dec. 19 Planning Commission hearing seeking a Local Coastal Development Permit and Local Coastal Program amendment.

Please also describe any public outreach efforts conducted by the City in visioning the revised project design, preparing the proposed LCP amendment, and involving the public in the local processes. Please include any outreach to communities expected to benefit from the proposed City-wide and Underserved Programs.

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These issues also occur in the context of objections to proceeding with the Dec. 19 Planning Commission hearing despite a bungled cancellation notice and despite the lack of public online access to backup hearing materials (third parties indicate) until late afternoon or early evening Dec. 16 (LBREPORT.com coverage here.)

City staff aims for December Planning Commission approval and January City Council approval that (if Coastal Commission staff agrees) could allow the item to appear on the agenda for the Feb. 2020 Coastal Commission meeting in Long Beach.

LBREPORT.com plans to livestream the Dec. 19 Planning Commission hearing on our front page starting at 5:00 p.m.

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