The Shops at Rossmoor are getting a series of major new tenants, and the changes have some in the community worried about the traffic and safety impact to the surrounding neighborhood.
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 at the end of the year. None of the remaining projects will require approval from the Seal Beach Planning Commission or City Council, nor do they require input from neighboring Rossmoor residents, many of whom packed a community meeting Tuesday to voice their frustration.
“We basically have no say in what goes on in our backyard. It’s very frustrating,” said Rossmoor resident Brenda Gorman. “Seal Beach is using us as its trashcan basically.”
Gorman, a 40-year resident and realtor in the community, worries about the increase in traffic and crime stemming from the expanded shopping center.
Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem Gary Miller attended Tuesday’s meeting in Rossmoor and listened to the neighboring community’s concerns.
“It was pretty eye-opening. I feel bad that they perceive Seal Beach that way. They think Seal Beach isn’t sensitive to them,” said Miller. “But they don’t come to (Council meetings) to tell us their concerns. All I can say is come and tell me about it. If you don’t tell me about it, I don’t know it.”
A decade ago, the center was home to small local shops that served the residents nearby. But now the national chains draw customers from surrounding cities such as Hawaiian Gardens, said Gorman. Seal Beach’s decision to add a second left hand turn from Seal Beach Boulevard to St. Cloud Drive will only encourage people to drive into Rossmoor to get to and from the new stores instead of using the main entrance to the Shops at Rossmoor off of Seal Beach Boulevard, added Gorman. With the increase in people coming to the shopping center, it has seen an increase in crime, including two people robbed at gunpoint at the Shops in the last year.
Another concern for the Rossmoor residents are Seal Beach’s plans to rezone the back-end of the property for affordable housing.
The zoning change puts the city in compliance with state law, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that homes will be built on the property, said Seal Beach Director of Development Services Mark Persico. The law requires he city to identify a place for affordable housing, but it doesn’t require that the housing be built, added Persico. To allow for affordable housing, the city doesn’t set an income limit for the tenants or determine the sale price of the units. It simply has to allow for increased density, which amounts to 33 units per acre. That density is actually lower than the existing condos along Montecito Road, added Persico.
The property owner does not oppose the zone change, but “they have no plans to build housing now,” Persico said.
As for the Rossmoor community’s frustration, it could be alleviated some with better communication between Rossmoor community leaders and Seal Beach officials, said Persico. He recommended that Rossmoor officials reach out to Seal Beach to talk about some of their concerns.
The 2 lanes coming out of the Ralph's center should allow that the right turn only lane, also be a Straight lane, rather than the left turn lane also serve as the straight lane for people wanting to drive across the street to the Kohl's / Sprouts side of the street. At St. Cloud again, the left turn lane onto Seal Beach Blvd, should also serve as a Straight lane to drive up on the right side of the CVS so drivers can get to the Ralph's parking lot & vice versa coming back into Rossmoor. I don't understand why we can't just go straight at the Seal Beach Blvd /St. Cloud intersection. Making these changes isn't just for Rossmoor residents but also for the residents of College Park East and Seal Beach who frequent the center. The congestion is going to get worse and it doesn't have to be this way. Other than putting the 2 left turn lanes 1 block north, these ARE simple changes that could greatly help with the traffic flow.
Additionally, stop shopping at the two centers in Seal Beach. Go a bit out of your way. Let the City of Seal Beach know we can have an economic impact and our community should be considered when they make these decisions. Why don't we make a community pact to not shop in Seal Beach for the month of January? I'm sure the mayor will hear that.
Therefore, the City that likes that tax revenue from the Shops at Rossmoor lost some money Friday. I drove the 1.8 miles from Carl's Jr. to St. Cloud in ONLY 50 (yes, 5-0) minutes. I counted 23 cars that made u-turns before even hitting the bridge. Guess they figured they would spend their money somewhere else.
It has nothing to do with the "wrong" kind of people, it is the fact that we are already over crowded. The residents of Rossmoor or "bigots" would be opposed to 37 of ANY kind of housing units being built in the shopping center. I think most would also agree that it is unfair, that of the City of Seal Beach's entire city boundaries they pegged the back parking lot of the shopping center, which is surrounded by Rossmoor, to sacrifice for the state mandated housing!
You are so RIGHT about that!! I agree....it's all about tax dollars for Seal Beach..and they could care LESS about Rossmoor because the main body of their homes is alway from the Shops at Rossmoor!
Here is a taste: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ9swBnxk7k&feature=related
As it is now, at the Town Center light, only 2-3 cars are able to make it turning left in either direction PER each green light & this is going to get much much worse when the other shops open on the Kohl's side with people trying to exit. I think that's an EASY change & would great improve traffic flow.