Development Still Long on Questions
By Josh Cohen News Staff Writer
RPV - Despite wide community support and years of deliberations, the Long Point Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes still has a long way to go.
Council members Tuesday worked to compile a long list of concerns for Destination Development Corp., developers of the hotel and resort slated for the former Marineland property. While council agreed not to delay the project - the city has until Nov. 4 to approve or deny Long Point - officials did have a number of questions for developers, including potential view impacts, traffic, parking, terms of occupancy and biological monitoring.
"There's lots of stuff here," said Councilman Peter Gardiner. "It's clear we welcome and support the hotel ... but we need issues clarified now so we don't stub our toe along the way. At the same time, we need to encourage forward motion."
"We all know that this is the largest and most complex development on the coastline in the history of our city," said Councilman Larry Clark. "I will not be ready tonight to consider conceptual approval of this project. We need to take this project on as a council now, in a manageable fashion and in areas of focus ... to understand why it is structured the way it is. Without doing that, we create a bunch of notes but we don't have any music at the end of this. The elements appear to be here, but we have work to do."
Destination Development, a subsidiary of Lowe Enterprises, wants to build a $250-million, 400-room hotel and golf practice facility at Long Point, which has been abandoned for nearly two decades. Included in the plan are 50 casitas and 32 villas - individually owned units with occupancy restrictions - trails, a public park, parking and a spa and fitness center.
For more than a year, Long Point had proposed using public land surrounding City Hall for portions of an on-site golf course. That concept was rejected by the City Council, and developers were forced to return to the city with a plan exclusively located on private property.
One of the biggest unknowns related to Long Point is whether Lowe will assume control of the Ocean Trails golf course two miles down Palos Verdes Drive South. According to Lowe representatives, negotiations for Ocean Trails are still taking place.
"We also need to consider how Ocean Trails plays into this project in the future," said Clark. "We understand that this hotel, in terms of an anchor golf amenity, rests on the 18-hole golf course potential at Ocean Trails."
"We just want to be careful and understand the details," said Councilman Doug Stern, "so at the end of the day, the developer can put forth the very best project for the city, consistent with what the developer wants, and with what the city wants."
Long Point Project Manager Mike Mohler said he welcomed the city's questions and that he would work to provide answers.
"We want to know your issues and questions and we want to respond," said Mohler. "It's important that you understand the project."