<CF12>The votes are still being counted, but Belmont Shore residents seem to be opposed to a proposed Seaport Marina project.
The plans will soon be reviewed during the Long Beach permit process, and Belmont Shore Residents Association president Mike Ruehle has sent out an email questionaire about the project.
As of Dec. 22, 46 residents, slightly more than half of those responding, want the current zoning to remain, limiting; 10 approve six-story limit; 13 support 12-story buildings; five want to wait for the pending SEADIP study details; and seven decided to abstain from the informal association poll.
The developer indicates the plans to replace the existing low rise hotel with 6-story and 12-story buildings to include a hotel, condominium units and 200,000 square feet of restaurants and retail, according to Ruehle. This will require rezoning of this area to include residential uses. It will also require a variance from the city in order to exceed the maximum 35-foot height zoning requirements, he added.
The potential benefits include: The city may receive more sales tax and property tax revenue because more residential and commercial units can be constructed.
The potential detriments include: The zoning variance may set a precedent, allowing the surrounding area, including Marina Pacifica, Marketplace Shopping Center, Pumpkin Patch, Gaslamp restaurant and Golden Sails Hotel, to also construct buildings to the same high-rise standard, aggravating traffic congestion.
The poll ends Tuesday (Dec. 23).
