Long Beach zoning changes would create retail space, apartments on oceanfront property
An empty lot next to the Seapointe Towers property in Long Beach. New zoning laws would allow the developer to build on the property. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Long Beach City Council members approved zoning changes to create retail space and apartments on the boardwalk, and clear the way to finalize a $75-million settlement for a developer to build two high-density apartment towers.
The new zoning laws will allow Long Beach and Manhattan developer Sinclair Haberman to apply for building permits on the oceanfront property between Monroe and Lincoln boulevards, including at Seapointe Towers.
After more than 30 years of litigation, the city approved a $75-million settlement in December after a judge ordered the city to pay $150 million, including interest, for revoking the developer’s building permit at the Towers nearly 20 years ago.
The city still must bond for the $75 million, to be paid back over 30 years.
Part of the settlement included rezoning the property to allow Haberman to build the two 13 ½-story apartment buildings facing the boardwalk with 266 units.
City Council members voted 4-1 at the Aug. 16 meeting to approve the rezoning between Long Beach and Lincoln boulevards, with Councilman Roy Lester dissenting.
“This is the end of the saga of the Haberman case,” Long Beach Corporation Counsel Rich Barrios said.
The new zoning district extends the city’s existing retail and mixed-use zoning area an additional two blocks, to allow for potential mixed-use apartments, condos and retail on the boardwalk, starting at National Boulevard and extending east to Lincoln Boulevard.
Carrie O’Farrell, a consultant for the city, said during the meeting that the zoning would create a five-block district for apartments and retail. The district includes the Haberman development and other vacant parcels, including the Foundation Block. It also includes the Superblock development, which is being built into retail space, apartments and condos on the boardwalk.
The city’s expanded zoning includes building up to an additional three stories, or an additional 42 feet high, and increasing density by 30%.
The vacant parcels eligible for development would allow an additional 252 units, increased from the originally permitted 551 units, or one unit per 600 square feet. No additional development plans have been submitted.
The city could offer additional density and height in exchange for community benefit agreements, such as parking and transit, affordable housing, downtown beautification, parkland and open space, coastal resiliency, historic preservation, arts space or community facilities.
Any zoning change would require approval by the city’s building inspector and city council. The city also would require additional infrastructure improvements to support the new developments.
Chris McGrath, an attorney for Haberman, said the new zoning will settle the litigation that has been pending since 1987 and was accruing $1 million in interest per month.
Haberman also plans to build a parking garage on the north side of Shore Road, across the street from the new development.
“Building has always been his goal. The family wanted the Seapointe project to happen and spent an entire lifetime fighting the City of Long Beach until the current city council saw the need to resolve this matter,” McGrath said.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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