HUNTINGTON BEACH An area near the Bolsa Chica Wetlands will be home to more than 100 residences after a contentious battle between environmentalists and developers, which has dragged on for more than a decade, tipped toward development.

The California Coastal Commission approved Shea Homes’ Parkside Estates project on Thursday in 6-2 vote. The project includes 111 single-family homes on 50 acres north of the Wintersburg Channel on Graham Street.

The plan also includes park space, trails that link to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and 8.5 acres of wetlands for the area.

Those against the project highlighted concerns about the adverse effect on the environment at the nearby Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, while supporters said they welcomed the additional flood protection in the area and dedicated restored wetland areas the project would bring.

Despite casting “yes” votes, some commissioners said they felt they had no choice in approving the project. A vote from a previous commission bound them by law to push the project through, commissioners said.

“It’s not a plan I would’ve approved and it’s not a permit I’m at all happy to move forward,” said Commissioner Jana Zimmer. “But as much as I empathize with the work of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust … it’s as important to me that this commission act with integrity towards the law.”

Parkside Estates has been entangled in approval processes and a legal battle for more than 10 years.

Opponents of the project have laid out dozens of concerns, citing issues with the loss of habitat for some wildlife and how it would impact the balance of the ecosystem of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Bolsa Chica Land Trust Board Member Julie Bixby said they are concerned with the piecemeal approach to building out an area that was once a thriving wetland. Housing projects slated for the area include the 68-acre Brightwater development, the 5-acre Ridge project and the 5-acre Goodell property.

“What this is really about is the big picture,” she said. “It’s about the entire Bolsa Chica ecosystem… a significant coastal resource that must be protected.

“One hundred of 300 acres would be eliminated forever as territory. A one-third loss of anything is something you would think would have serious consequences,” she said.

Commissioners Esther Sanchez and James Wickett rejected the plan, saying they couldn’t get behind a project they believe contributes to the destruction of an environmentally sensitive area.

“I believe we’re still going along this path of rewarding illegal actions because in truth … what is happening here is taking over and building upon wetlands,” Sanchez said.

But some commissioners said although they were legally obligated to approve the project, they recognize it has evolved into a more environmentally friendly project.

“I don’t like this project either … but it happened,” Commissioner Dayna Bochco said. “Even though this has been a long and not-so-pleasant process for everyone … this project is much improved.”

Supporters said they welcome the extra flood protection the Shea Homes project would bring.

“The burden on the homeowners who are in the flood zone is getting really intense. We have an aging population, these folks are suffering,” said Huntington Beach resident and local Realtor Adam Rodell.

Rodell said he was skeptical of Parkside Estates when it was first brought forward years ago but is behind the current plan, which includes about 23 acres of open space.

“The project has morphed into a beautiful project,” he said.

The road to approval for Parkside Estates has been a long and arduous for everyone involved, commissioners said.

The approved project has been scaled back from its original plans submitted in 2002. Parkside Estates was originally proposed to have 170 homes with about four acres of preserved space.

Commissioners said a previous panel approved the project in 2007 but did not address any enforcement for development without permits and did not set any standards to make up for the loss of any potential wetlands.

The revised, 111-home project then went to City Council members and was approved in January 2009.

The project went back to the Coastal Commission in January 2011 and it was denied, which prompted Shea Homes to sue the commission, alleging that the denial essentially made the land worthless from a development standpoint.

An Orange County Superior Court judge agreed and ordered the commission to set aside their denial, hold another public hearing and consider the project again.

A second public hearing was held in June but commissioners delayed making a final decision on the project, saying they wanted staff to explore allegations that Shea Homes had started work on the site without a permit.

Staff determined Shea Homes illegally started work on the site and ordered the company to remedy the problem and pay a fine of $292,500, which will go to pay for wetlands restoration offsite.

Although Shea officials did not agree they did anything wrong, they agreed to the settlement.

Company consultant Laer Pearce said Shea Homes has a lot of work to do before any construction can begin. A list of 26 conditions, some of which require environmental surveys for the area, have to be met before their permits are issued.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7953 or jfletcher@ocregister.com