LA HABRA : Theater-Restaurant Complex Advances

The Planning Commission has approved construction of an eight-screen movie theater and two restaurants on Beach Boulevard south of Imperial Highway.

Also included in the plan are several retail stores, bringing the total development to nearly 140,000 square feet, said John C. Penz of Hughes Investments, which is working with Chevron Land Development Co. on the project.

One restaurant will be of the “sit-down” variety, and the other will be a 3,500-square-foot drive-through restaurant, Penz said.

Resident Joseph Abbate, whose property is opposite the proposed theater, spoke against the development. The Coyote Creek flood channel lies between the proposed development and Abbate’s back yard, Penz said. Abbate’s home rests on land that is about 30 feet higher than the Chevron property and 160 feet from the proposed theater building.

Penz agreed with Abbate’s complaint that the roof of the theater would be at ground level for the homeowners, but he told the Planning Commission that the company intends to build a quality development. Residents will have 10 days to appeal the commission’s decision.

The development is a scaled-down version of one approved by the commission last year, Penz said. The new plan calls for one-third less square footage than the one approved in January, 1989.