Residents Oppose Expansion at The Shops at Rossmoor

Seal Beach officials and the new owners of The Shops at Rossmoor faced some of their toughest critics Tuesday as they met with dozens of Rossmoor and Seal Beach residents who bristle at plans to expand the shopping center without seeking input from the community.

Tuesday night was the first meeting of the Shops at Rossmoor Ad Hoc Committee aimed at addressing some the quality of life concerns of the surrounding community. A Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Rite Aid, and an In ‘N Out Burger are already in varying phases of construction at the south end of the shopping center. Additionally, the Shops’ property owners have already submitted plans to the city of Seal Beach to remodel into three separate stores to house a Staples and a PetSmart after the lease expires. The city of Seal Beach, which has jurisdiction over the property, has submitted draft plans to the state to rezone a portion of the property for affordable or high-density housing, although no such housing development is in the works.

Resident Cheryl Ruddich garnered applause from the crowd after telling The Shops representatives to back off their expansion plans.

“I want to clearly and briefly state that no one wants these retailers here…and we will do whatever it takes to resolve these issues,” said Ruddich. “No one wants it.”

Residents lined up to voice their concerns with the traffic gridlock along Seal Beach Boulevard as well as the parking shortage within the shopping center. One woman said the center was so crowded and unfriendly to pedestrians that she would never let her children walk to the center.

The shops’ owners have worked hard to engage the community, responded Spokeswoman Kristine Smith.

“We have donated a lot of money to local community groups,” said Smith. The Shops owners have hosted a health fair with the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, and they have donated to the school district and local library, added Smith.

Committee Member Brenda Gorman questioned the city’s decision to place affordable housing on the boarder of Rossmoor rather locations within the hear of the city such as the Boeing property or Gum Grove Park.

However, David Josker Senior Director for The Shops’ new property manager, assured the crowd that the new owner has no plans to build any housing at the site.

“I can tell you that there is no intention by the owner to have any kind of housing built on that property,” he said. “It’s a non-issue.”