Seal Beach council gives notice to consider overruling Airport Land Use Commission on housing element

The Seal Beach City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 8 to issue notice that it will consider whether to override the Airport Land Use Commission's finding that the city's housing element update and related zoning and specific-plan amendments were inconsistent with the ALUC's airport land-use plan. Interim Community Development Director Temple told the council the action taken was only a procedural first step under the Public Utilities Code: the resolution notifies ALUC and the State Division of Aeronautics and preserves the council's right to hold a later public hearing no fewer than 45 days after notice. Temple said ALUC considered the housing element and amendments on Aug. 7 and concluded they were inconsistent; ALUC's staff report raised general concerns about noise and concentrations of people but the commission's determination letter did not list specific findings. Temple clarified that a separate Old Ranch Country Club project is a distinct application with its own EIR and ALUC review and is not the same as the housing element update under consideration. Public commenters at the meeting had urged caution and raised liability concerns if the council were to overrule ALUC. Patty Campbell, among other speakers, asked whether the city's insurer (JPIA) had been consulted about liability if the council overrides the ALUC finding. City Attorney said staff would seek JPIA input and present it as part of the later hearing. The notice resolution does not overrule ALUC; it starts a process that will allow ALUC, Caltrans' division of aeronautics and other stakeholders to comment before the council makes any final decision. The council's action sets a deadline for follow-up; staff will agendize a public hearing at least 45 days after the notice so members can review ALUC responses, JPIA input and other materials before voting on any override.