Mall redevelopment passes first hurdle

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The aging Huntington Beach Mall is one step closer

to getting a major face-lift.

The Planning Commission on Tuesday voted 4 to 1 to approve a specific

plan to set guidelines for the future development of the mall, which is

to be renamed The Crossings at Huntington. Commissioner Connie Mandic

dissented. Commissioners Edward Kerins and Fred Speaker were absent.

A specific plan is a detailed zoning plan that is necessary for the

redevelopment of the mall to move forward.

If the plan is approved by the City Council next month, the mall’s

owners may redesign it in the future without obtaining both the

commission and council’s approval as long as they follow the plan’s

guidelines. Ezralow Retail Properties LLC, which owns most of the mall,

plans to redevelop the moribund mall into an Italian village design that

will include upscale stores and restaurants, and an 18-screen movie

theater, company president Douglas Gray said.

Montgomery Ward plans to work with Ezralow to redesign its department

store to fit the Italian village theme, said Mike Adams, a planning

consultant with the company. The Chicago-based company has 251 locations

around the country.

“I think [the specific plan] was a good step forward that addresses

all parties’ concerns,” he said. “It opened the door for Wards and

Ezralow to negotiate. Hopefully the council will have the same spirit as

the Planning Commission.”

Commissioner Tom Livengood said the commission took action to help

support two property owners and yield a good project.

“I think the [mall] is key to the sales tax revival of this town,” he

said. “The idea is to compete with Westminster Mall.” Gerald Chapman,

chairman of the Planning Commission, said the new mall will be the

“economic heart” of the city upon its completion.

Mandic said she voted against the plan because one of its guidelines

requires the mall’s owners to comply with specific plan guidelines within

three years. The plan allows for the continuation of auto repair

services, two drive-through restaurants and one-size parking stalls for

all vehicles.