Latest news with #SymphonyofFlowers
Los Angeles Times
28-03-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Protect HB sues Huntington Beach over Symphony of Flowers
Local grassroots organization Protect Huntington Beach has sued the city over the approval of an extravagant, months-long multimedia light show in Central Park. A petition for writ of mandate filed Thursday in Orange County Superior Court alleges the city violated the California Environmental Quality Act when it approved a license for Flowers of the Sky, LLC to operate the Symphony of Flowers. The show would be on more than six acres of land in the northeastern corner of Central Park East, on Thursdays through Sundays for about six months of the year. It would be expected to draw 900 visitors per show, though up to 2,000 could be accommodated in the bleachers. Huntington Beach would be guaranteed to receive at least $150,000 a year from the operator over a three-year period. The Protect HB suit notes the project relies on a master environmental impact report for Central Park from 1999. The City Council unanimously approved it on an addendum to that report in February. However, a letter to the city from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, sent March 7, raises questions over whether that addendum is sufficient and disputes its findings that the Symphony of Flowers would have either no impact or a less than significant impact in several environmental areas. For example, the letter states the Department of Fish and Wildlife disagrees that lighting generated from the project will be insignificant, since the addendum doesn't conduct a quantitative lighting analysis to support that determination. 'The addendum states that lighting will be directed away from sensitive habitat, but does not incorporate a study of illumination levels, light spill or spectral composition,' reads the letter, signed by Victoria Tang, environmental program manager of the South Coast Region. The letter also expresses concerns about several birds that could be impacted, including the light-footed Ridgway's rail, bald eagle and least Bell's vireo, as well as the Monarch butterfly. Protect HB co-founder Cathey Ryder said Thursday it was not her intent to be engaged in litigation against the city, but many residents have reached out asking how they could stop the light show or make changes. 'When you finally hear from enough citizens, we felt like this was just an action we had to take,' Ryder said. 'It's not that I'm opposed to them looking for ways to raise funds, but this is not a good use of our park land ... If they don't want to listen to us, then this is how we get their attention, I guess.' Huntington Beach Deputy City Manager Jennifer Carey said the city had not received the lawsuit as of Thursday afternoon. Mayor Pat Burns, reached via phone, declined to comment until he was more familiar with the lawsuit's contents. Ryder said the council ignored a public outcry and did not take steps like offering town hall meetings to discuss the light show. 'Our main claim is that they violated CEQA, and that became obvious to us when we saw that letter from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,' Ryder said. 'If this is something they're determined to have, let's pick another location or truly make sure that they can mitigate all of the things that need to be mitigated.' Protect HB member Gina Clayton-Tarvin, the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees clerk, said she successfully sued the city twice in the past as board president over CEQA issues. 'This should have been a full blown, brand new EIR,' she said. 'When you look at the impacts [the show] could have on the bald eagle, specifically, it's very, very concerning.'
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Huntington Beach sued over Symphony of Flowers light show
A group of Huntington Beach residents hopes to stop a multimedia light and music show planned for Central Park. The lawsuit filed by Protect HB claims that city council members deliberately misled the public. "We are not happy about the idea that they want to close off several acres of the park for up to 6 months a year with unknown real damage that would happen if you build bleachers and walkways and temporary structures," Protect HB member Cathey Ryder said. "There's going to be an impact." The Symphony of Flowers includes the installation of 500,000 LED Lights and 12 speakers playing classical music. Opponents said the fixture would disrupt the sensitive wildlife habitat where bald eagles, migrating birds and monarch butterflies live. Protect HB members said there was overwhelming opposition to the city council proposal, with hundreds of people sending emails to express their objection. When the contract was approved, council members aid the money brought in from the Central Park light show would generate much-needed income for the city budget. Council members unanimously approved the light show last month, but the details have not been solidified. City spokesperson Jennifer Carey said she hasn't seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.
Los Angeles Times
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Mailbag: Policy questions arise as homeless disappear in Fountain Valley
In response to the Feb. 26 TimesOC newsletter, 'How will Trump's policies hit O.C. where it hurts? Officials working to end homelessness look at uncertainties,' my husband and I frequently walk the Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley. We have noticed the homeless gathering in some areas of the park. A few days ago, we lost our car keys and retraced our steps for two days straight. On the first day, we asked several homeless groups if anyone had found any car keys. They were all very friendly and wished us luck. On the second day, the homeless groups were nowhere to be found. They left behind some heartbreaking messages scrawled on cardboard and nearby walls. Meanwhile, we were very thankful that a park employee at the office found our keys. They were very helpful. Our question is, where does the administration think the homeless are going to go? From place to place until — what? We do understand there are many concerns and safety issues. But how and where do the homeless get vital information about resources they may already have available to them without face-to-face communication? Most have no cellphones, no television, no internet, no way to travel to known shelters and food banks, except for hearing the news by word-of-mouth. Many need desperate help. In other words, it is up to law enforcement, first responders, advocates, informed volunteers, printed signage and fliers, etc., to inform them. How well are these approaches working? As one example, CalAIM is a multiyear program that was approved in 2021. It is currently scheduled to expire in 2026. However, a person has to know this program exists and most importantly they must 'qualify' to receive benefits. Some people choose to live on the street no matter what. They do not want anything to do with 'shelters.' Where do they go? They still need resources to move from place to place. Where are the funds going to come from in Orange County, where federal dollars for its Continuum of Care are threatened? How will the funds be managed? The situation remains overwhelming. It seems all we, the American people, can do is to protest, boycott, send money, and volunteer. But most of all we must be an informed voter — before we can't. Vicki MikoCosta Mesa Despite a huge outpouring of vocal opposition from community residents, the Huntington Beach City Council is moving forward with an ill-advised and destructive plan to place a damaging installation in our public Central Park. The so-called Symphony of Flowers is proposed to occupy a large section in the middle of Central Park for six months every year, from September to March, with a disruptive light show and music lasting from 5 to 11 p.m. daily. The contract is for three years with options to renew. In addition to charging for admission to several shows per night, the city proposes to sell access to the parking spaces associated with the Central Library, which is usually open until 9 p.m. most days. This installation will damage the grass and plants in the proposed area, as well as disrupt the environment for the birds and animals who inhabit the park and the people who enjoy the park on a daily basis. And it will disturb the residents for miles around the park with excessive traffic, noise and sound pollution! And it is not even likely to bring in the pitiful amount of revenue that is projected in the proposal. This is another boondoggle with smelly political overtones, and Huntington Beach residents do not want it to pollute our park! Diane BentleyHuntington Beach
