Bay Club home plan denied

It’s been a few years since the now-decrepit Huntington Harbour Bay Club received so much attention.

Tired of trying to turn it around, owner Ben Ahadpour wants to develop it into homes ? and with blessings from the city and neighbors.

But there’s one big obstacle: The Coastal Commission wants to preserve the second last bits of public access to the water in the Huntington Harbour area.

“Our main concern was that there’s so little public access along the waterfront, we didn’t want to lose it,” said Meg Vaughn, staff analyst from the commission.

The commission on Friday denied the city’s proposal to demolish the existing banquet hall and tennis courts to make way for a residential development.

Ahadpour had problems hosting banquets because the noise and music would carry over the water and residents complained about it. He eventually shut down the club.

But as the club always had a restaurant and banquet facilities, said commission senior deputy director Deborah Lee, a day-time restaurant that would avoid noise and traffic conflicts with residents or a small bed and breakfast might work.

Commission staff said they were willing to talk with city officials and owners about uses for the Bay Club that would include visitors coming to the waterfront.

The commission’s decision is a short-sighted one, said Ted Deits, vice president of the 98-member Weatherly Bay Homeowners Assn.

“They’ve tried to make this a commercial venture for 40 years and haven’t succeeded,” Deits said. He warned that if the site is used for commercial purposes like a gas station or a Taco Bell, residents would vote it down.

Homes in the neighborhood go for more than $1 million. According to Deits, the wrong kind of commercial venture would harm the neighborhood value. But it could be used for a kayak rental kiosk, which would have public access and also exist in harmony with the proposed homes.

Many residents fondly remember the Bay Club for its tennis courts and swimming pool. The club site also had a charming beach-cottage bar where people could dock their boats in their slips and come ashore for a drink.

Now the club and everything around it is just rotting away.

Next-door neighbor Huntington Harbor Yacht Club is interested in renting or buying the site from the owners.

But according to Ahadpour, the yacht club doesn’t seem to have the money to renew its present lease, let alone buy his property.

QUESTION

Should the city be allowed to demolish the Huntington Harbour Bay Club? Call our Readers Hotline at (714) 966-4691 or send e-mail to hbindependent @latimes.com. Please spell your name and include your hometown and phone number for verification purposes.hbi.18-harbour-club-CPhotoInfo6U1R1DV520060518ize6w9ncFILE PHOTO / INDEPENDENT (LA)The Coastal Commission has denied a proposal to erect a residential complex of 10 homes at the Huntington Harbour Bay Club property on Warner Avenue.