Not So Fast Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach tax collectors looking to knock on the door and collect from "new" Sunset Beach residents will have to wait a little longer as Orange County Superior Court Judge Frederick P. Horn issued an injunction Thursday to stop, for now, the annexation of the unincorporated seaside town by Surf City until the matter can be heard in court.

In his ruling Judge Horn said there is a possibility the Citizen's Association of Sunset Beach will prevail in their lawsuit against the annexation.

Last year the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission gave Huntington Beach the go ahead to annex the community, perhaps best identified by the water tower home on Pacific Coast Highway, that has long been wedged between Surf City and Seal Beach.

The Citizens' group argues that the community has a right to vote on the annexation since Huntington Beach will charge Sunset Beach residents a city tax as, according to the group, Proposition 218 requires a vote of affected property owners before a new tax be imposed.

Huntington Beach officials have already claimed once the annexation goes through current city taxes would be imposed on the new residents.

However, according to KPCC reporter Susan Valot,

[T]he judge pointed out that some of the arguments from Huntington Beach have merit, too. The city maintains that since it would apply an existing tax to the city's new borders - which includes Sunset Beach - it is not a new tax. That would mean they can move forward with "small island annexation" without a vote by the annexed area.

Sunset Beach is one of the last classic California rugged coastal communities in Orange County.

Aside from a new city tax some residents fear Huntington Beach will drain the character of the town by making it a more homogenized community. That, along with the dreadful fear among residents and business owners alike the city may add parking meters.

The next hearing in determining the fate of the tiny seaside town will be in March.