Thank you to all of you that supported Seal Beach for Two Stories and worked to inform our residents as we prepared for this important vote on Measure Z.

http://www.ocvote.com/live/gen2008/results.htm#c-428

What creates property value?  The answer:  Location, Location, Location. Protecting Old Town makes our Location even more desirable and increases property values.  Vote YES on Measure Z.

Present Mayor & City Council

• Charles Antos, Mayor
• Gordon Shanks, Councilman
• Gary Miller, Councilman
• David Sloan, Councilman

Past Mayors & City Council

• Paul Yost
• Gwen Forsythe
• Tom Blackman
• John Larson
• Edna Wilson
• Patty Campbell
• Barbara Barton
• Mort Baum

Planning Commissioners

• Ellery Deaton
• Erin Bello
• Henry Eager
• Leonard DeLay

Past Planning Commissioners

• Jim Sharp
• Phil O’Malley
• Phil Ladner
• Dr. Brian Brown
• Mike Knapp
• Terry Barton

Other Commissioners

• Mario Voce
• Carla Watson

Other Past Commissioners

• Gayle Knapp
• Jane McCloud
• Perry Watson
• Robert Goldberg

Community Members

• Ed Hume
• John & Rebecca Scales
• Allen, Gary, Sally, Tracy, Terri
• Linda Curci
• Mark Porter
• Michael Rogers
• Mitchell Dejarnett
• Nell Barrett
• Rusty Davis
• Kathi Powelson
• Sandie Makela
• William Gowen, Jr.
• Bill & Diana Gatoff
• Michelle Schulz
• Bob Novotny
• Chris & Terry Mewes
• Sue Perslow
• Gerardo & Ana Marie Bustillo
• Dan & Martha Campbell
• Joel Davidson
• Alice Davis
• Gerace Ghrbuz
• Ron & Tere Bennett
• Anderson & Nancy Turner
• Mary Twilley
• Greg & Maria McCloud
• Christine George
• Alan Blizzard
• Renee Hass
• Maria & Mike Bubhe
• Richard & Karina Dahmen
• Robert Thayer
• Marguerto & Jennifer Gamboa
• Nancy Ebner
• Patricia Nightswonger
• Glenn Gunnarson
• Richard Gunnarson
• Dorothy Nielsen
• Scott Batstone
• Bill & Carolyn Gaw
• Jon & Janice Worth
• Clara Calvo
• Roberta Griffith
• Henry Benedict
• Carol Sutton
• Nichole & Warren Stewart
• Tom & Suzanne Maricich
• James Norman
• Sue Benson
• John Vogelpohl
• Joyce Kucera
• Jane Wright
• Mike & Nancy Sawyer
• Julie & Donald Markeley
• Frank Thurmond
• Cecilia Pfeiffer
• Paul & Michelle Kagan
• Jennifer Swickard
• Debbie Hammer
• Bill & Sadorus Lower
• Margo Kasdan
• Martin Fieber
• Kelly Hommon
• Debi Karcewski
• Connie Rieman
• Isadora & Rodney Johnson
• Brienna Bick
• Beverly Endsley
• Gloria Watson
• Christina Simon
• Eric & Debra Mueller
• Charles Kasper
• David Hecht
• Rosa Schmidke
• Jill Wickwire
• Christina Haines
• Doug Korthof
• John Gonsalves
• George & Joan Casares
• Biff Jorvatin
• Charles & Rebecca Williams
• Rosario Mauritz
• David Rosenman
• Mitzi & Warren Morton
• Joan Stegman
• Inez Ayole
• Joanne Peoples
• Brent Matthews
• Linda & Tom Chow
• Jeri & Roger West
• Cynthia & Bernie Nap
• Mary Lou Long
• Jennifer Fraga
• Mark & Jennifer Greget
• Sharyn Harvey
• Matt & Karen Mikkelsen
• Zay & Betty Brand
• Burton & Dorothy Flurkey
• Thomas & Anna Mulligan
• Todd Slater
• Judith Todd
• Nicholas Furjanick
• John & Christiana Tinker
• William & Jennifer Wilson
• Michael & Jane Papadopolis
• Peggy Barros
• Dan & Yvonne Baily
• Jim & Pat Hagadorn
• Paul & Paula Murphy
• Steven & Sheleen Meir
• Leslie Earle
• Joe & Kathy St. John
• Mary Hughes
• Frank Slazer
• Jeff & Jane Davis
• Bob Yinger
• Clifton & Michelle Eakin
• Rebecca Croff
• Garrett & Marjorie TeWinkle
• Anne Janssen
• Penny Homan-Muise
• Manuel & Alma San Miguel
• Kenny Williams
• Cheryl Wray
• Tony & Gloria Luna
• Robert Anderson
• David & Hinda Parker
• Arthur Axelrod
• Susan Hugo
• Therese Keel
• Kirk Encinas
• Maurine & Ray Williams
• Robert Atwood
• Andy D’Esposito
• George & Rosalba Pedraja
• Stephen & Mary Smith
• Barbara Freeman
• Francis Comunale
• David Shilling
• Zac & Amy Ernst
• Arnold & Dora Fernandez
• Chris Arnold
• Judith Miller
• Bill & Bev McNally
• Joan Lyon
• Dee Schumacher
• Nancy Cole
• Marie Antos
• Fred & Janice Kirksey
• John & Aija O’Neil
• Richard & Vicki Michaels
• Rene Schultz
• Delton Schilling
• Jonathan Schilling
• Kathleen Morton
• Dennice & Stephen Peters
• Bill & Gail Ayers
• Sarah Smith
• Thomas Clarke
• Jeffrey & Linda Santos
• David & Celeste Byrd
• Sean Walter
• Rand Richards
• Nathanael Janicke
• Robert & Cathy West
• Kerry Browning
• Donna & Duke Pullman
• Thomas & Josephine Greely
• Steve Mesner
• Jim & Joan Wolfelt
• Mark Lopesko
• Elizabeth Kane
• John Dewitt
• Jeff & Joanne Levin
• Ed & Sally Hirsch
• Ken & Kathleen Wedul
• Riley Forsythe
• Del & Janet Smith
• Steve & Glenda Snyder
• Luster & Audrey Hauth
• Tim & Ruth Plax
• Patricia Kearney
• Harlan & Miriam Kelley
• Judy Cook
• Brent & Courtney Gustin
• David & Lisa Wysocki
• Christopher &
• Marilyn Edmunds
• Jason & Randi Buell
• Kip & Sharon Whelan
• Alan & Loretta Nakamura
• Barbera Longiny
• Matt & Judy Grayson
• Ken & Monica Kropf
• Margo Silvers
• Jack Lynde
• Donna Mace
• Rupen Markarian
• Frank & Linda Grillo
• Florence Healey
• Jason Siegel
• Ron Deaton
• Monique Atwood
• Joan Alderson
• Esther Cummings
• Mario Borunda
• Diana & Chris Wade
• Mike & Roberta Armstrong
• Art & Harriet Warner
• Eddie Maginnis
• Annelle Aviani
• Kris Baum
• Janet Tedesco
• Doris Dragan
• Peggy Barros
• Richard Whitehair
• Barry Mehzel
• Jeannie & Mark Dennison
• Jimmie & Cecelia Feruzzi
• Claudio & Diana Materazzi
• Dana & Jim Tierney
• Jeff & Vanessa Travis
• Cary & Shirley Cheiu
• Zay & Betty Brand
• Burton & Dorothy Flurkey
• Thomas & Anna Mulligan
• Todd Slater
• Donna Wares
• Cathy Goldberg
• Richard Landress
• Joan Laszlo
• Sue Manzo
• Ken & Libby Appelgate
• Patricia Cesarrio
• Marceann Killian
• Wendi Rothman
• Joe Gallo
• Steven & Bernadette Meltzer
• Marie West
• Nancy Smith
• Ray Van Camp
• Gene & Linda Stegman
• Raymond Allebaugh
• Vicki & Don Siembieda
• Dale & Edie Turner
• Kenneth & Margaret Santucci
• Richard Layon
• Art Arponte
• Kathleen McGinley
• Robert Alexander
• Stacey Standrod
• Marie Lang
• Erin Harrington
• Melinda Howell
• Jean Jarrett
• Ronald & Wafa Kaluzok
• Kurt Klatt
• Rod & Lois Briggs
• James & Tracy Caviola
• Chet Silvers
• Cal & Sharon Callahan
• Morris & Joanne Yockey
• Gloria Souders
• Gilbert Aguirre
• Michael & Jacqueline Astorga
• Sherry & Mort Baum
• Nichole Burgee
• Greg Castaneda
• Dana Crotwell
• Rusty & Wayne Cunningham
• Susan Davis
• Jason & Massiel Galla
• Brooke Gantt
• Ed & Judy Hall
• Nancy Herbert
• Terry Hess
• Thomas & Nancy Hetherington
• Claudia Horvath
• Brian Lawrence
• Mary Payne
• Rebecca Rose
• Jim Shoemaker
• Mike Beckage
• Louise Talbert
• Sharman & Gary Snow
• James Hall
• William Lucus
• John Hartford
• David West
• Lois Lohrke
• Joseph Ribal
• Jack & Joanne Bettenhausen
• Matthew Hughes
• Gary & Laura Stromlund
• Joanne Shumate
• Norm & Katey Davidson
• Lou & Vicky Carreon
• Nancy Shook
• Crystal Russell
• Clive Martin
• Larry & Susan Bender
• Tamera Clark
• Daniel Kee
• MB McCormick
• Donald & Joanne Memmott
• Jim & Diane Nicholson
• Karen & Bill Owens
• Howard McGovney
• Karen Miller
• Doris Moore
• Pat & Sibyl Moretta
• Linda Natzmer
• Kathy & Steve Orr
• Fred Schreiner
• Jerry & Bonnie Galbreath
• Dorothy Geisler
• Jim and Judy Watson
• Deidre and Kevin Gaffney
• Judy and Ed Hall

Who are we?
We are unpaid volunteers from all parts of Seal Beach who want to protect historic Old Town and keep our beachtown village atmosphere.

Who finances Seal Beach For Two Stories?
We are financed entirely by local Seal Beach residents who volunteer their time and money.  No outside money is accepted from organizations or individuals.

How do most Old Town residents feel about the third story?
A vast majority of Old Town residents do not want any more three story buildings.  A third story invades privacy, blocks sunlight, and limits ocean breezes.

Where is Old Town?
Old Town is bounded by Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach Boulevard, Ocean Avenue, First Street, and Marina Drive.  Old Town is about a mile square and has approximately twelve hundred lots.  Old Town is where the City of Seal Beach began in 1915.

Why can’t Old Town residents alone vote on this?
The city laws of Seal Beach require a citywide vote on ballot measures.

Why should I care about Old Town when I live elsewhere in Seal Beach?
The charm of Old Town is a Seal Beach treasure that we all enjoy regardless of where we live.

Can’t everyone build a third story in Old Town?
No.  Only about one-third of the lots in Old Town are wide enough to build a third story.  The remaining lots have always been limited to two stories.

Why are the smaller, narrower lots allowed to build only two stories and the larger lots allowed to build three stories?
This is an inequity that came about years ago when zoning changes were made in 1974.  A tall third story actually reduces the property value of neighbors because the larger building overwhelms a smaller house.  Sometimes a single-story house sits next to a three- story house.

How is parking affected?
Parking is already limited and difficult in Old Town.  Three story buildings with more bedrooms will eventually draw more residents, and more residents mean more cars on our already crowded streets.

Will a two-story limit raise my taxes?
No.  Your property taxes will not go up when new construction in Old Town is kept to two stories.  Your city utility taxes will not go up either.

How will property values be affected?
Property values will increase because the quality of life in Old Town will increase.  Property values will not go down.

Is it possible for property values to go down?
When the quality of life worsens property values will be affected.  As houses are shadowed by three stories, privacy is invaded, then parking becomes even more difficult with an increased population density, and finally, property values will be affected adversely.

What about property rights?
Property rights extend to neighbors too.   No one has unlimited rights to build anything and damage the community.  The community determines the use of property and the quality of life. Property rights are reasonable and change with the times.

Are property rights being denied outright?
Anyone who owns just a small lot in Old Town can build a house with thousands of square feet and have three bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage.  There is no denial of property rights.

Is denying a third story a use of “eminent domain” and thereby setting a dangerous precedent?
No.  Eminent domain is used to create public facilities such as freeways, highways, or schools.  No property is being condemned through eminent domain in any part of Seal Beach.

Is property being taken?
No.  Property takings – a legal term – means that the property is substantially reduced in value so that it cannot be used for profit.  When taking into consideration the size of lots in Old Town, an owner in Seal Beach can build a house that is still much larger than in almost any other community.

If a third story can’t be built, isn’t that a reduction in property value?
Currently, third stories can only be built on the larger lots, which make up about one-third of Old Town lots.  Larger lots will always be worth more than smaller lots because they are bigger and a larger “footprint” can be built.

Do Old Town residents need more living space and therefore need a third story?
Old Town families are likely to be smaller families because there are few yards in Old Town for children to play.  This is especially true when larger houses are built. This is a question for each individual to answer.

Do big houses make for a better quality of life for families?
When a large house is built, furnished, heated, and cleaned, more time and energy come from the family.  This is a question for each individual to answer.

How does the city get additional tax money for needed services such as fire and police protection?
The City of Seal Beach is getting millions of dollars in new taxes – higher amounts than expected – from the recently developed shopping centers along Seal Beach Boulevard north of the 405 Freeway.

Doesn’t the city receive my property tax money too?
Almost every city depends on commercial and industrial development tax revenue for a great majority of income to the city, just as we do with our shopping centers in Seal Beach.  Most of our residential property taxes go directly to the State of California.  After that, only a fraction of our property tax is returned to Seal Beach.

Shouldn’t everyone be allowed to build a third story anywhere in Seal Beach?
This is an issue for each neighborhood in Seal Beach to determine.

Why are more third story buildings being built?
Some individuals want five thousand square feet or more of living space.  For speculators – who build and then sell – bigger buildings mean bigger short-term gains.  These short-term one-time gains come at the expense of the neighbors.

What can I do to protect Old Town from being overrun with three story buildings?  How can I help save historic Old Town and preserve the charm, atmosphere, and character of our delightful beachtown?
Contact us through our website, or phone 598-2269 and ask what needs to be done to support the citywide campaign for the November 4 election.

This is why Old Town needs a two story height limit.