Environmental Press # 281

Subj: URGENT: Hellman Mesa at Seal Beach City Council
Date: 7/14/2003 7:20:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: doug@seal-beach.org
To: voiceforveterans@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Hi,

The Hellman Mesa overlooks the wetlands on the former Hellman estate in Seal Beach. Thanks to a combination of events, the wetlands will be restored, and part of the mesa will be preserved as a Native American Cemetery, with native plant gardens, and the 22 ancestors which were disturbed by the bulldozing will be reburied in this cemetery. The remainder of the Mesa will be developed into 64 high-class houses, instead of 70 houses. The developer has offered to give up rights to build 6 houses in
order to honor these ancestors and the people they represented, a model for harmonious development and an example of responsible community involvement.

But there is more.

The now-10.6 acre Gum Grove Park (hopefully, this will be renamed in some appropriate historic way) will be opened up to Seal Beach Blvd. by expansion to 13 acres, and parking slots will be added to *facilitate public access*.

 

In addition, the developer is planning to put a small but important interpretive signage area near the parking lot, overlooking the wetlands, devoted to the ancient inhabitants of this area, whose descendants are now called the Gabrieleno/Tongva. This memorial will be an an asset to the city and to all the people.

The exact location of this interpretive memorial has been a subject of some contention. One former site, overlooking the park, was opposed by some residents, who asked that it be located nearer the busy Seal Beach Blvd. In response, representatives of the city, developer and the Tribal Council chose another site
overlooking the wetlands.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that this interpretive memorial site, which is separate from the cemetery, be located appropriately -- so that visitors can see the relation of the village site and cemetery, to the wetlands and Ocean, around which the lives of the Tongva centered.

The "mitigation plan" setting all this forward will be discussed tonight, July 14, 7PM, at the Seal Beach City Council.

PLEASE ATTEND the Seal Beach City Council tonight, and support representatives of the Tribal Council. Make sure that this interpretive center is correctly placed -- its symbolism and importance depends on being able to overlook the wetlands.

A few residents fear that if the Interpretive area is located away from the highway, that transients and crime will build up. But this is an enforcement issue, endemic to being a beach city.

Seal Beach City Council,
211 8th St.,
Seal Beach
Phone city clerk: 562-431-2527
Fax comments to: 562-493-9857

MAPQUEST on http://SealBeach.org

From the 405, take the Seal Beach Blvd. offramp toward the Ocean;
proceed to Pacific Coast Hwy, turn right.
Proceed to Main St. (2nd light), turn left.
Proceed to Center St., turn right 2 blocks to 8th St.
Park, and visit the small shops and friendly downtown eating places, then walk over to the Council Chamber on 8th St.

/Doug
562-430-2495
cell 714-496-1567

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