State advances in preserving cove cottages

Paul Clinton

CRYSTAL COVE -- A package of interim improvements approved by the

California Coastal Commission on Tuesday should improve the public’s

ability to enjoy the local treasure, an agency analyst said.

The commission unanimously approved the $1.3-million effort by

California State Parks to install a visitor’s center and repair

deteriorating walkways and staircases.

“That’s their intent,” said Anne Blemker, a commission analyst.

“That’s the coastal commission’s hope as well.”

State Parks officials have already begun implementing an interim plan

to preserve and protect the 46 historic cottages while they craft a more

permanent plan for the area’s future.

Any project must include the restoration of the cottages, estimated to

cost between $12 million and $20 million, and opening up the area to the

public, state officials have said.

In securing a coastal permit on Tuesday, the state also gained

permission to allow park rangers into four of the cottages, install a

lifeguard stand and convert the cove’s former art studio into the

visitor’s center.

“It helps us continue to move forward toward the final plan,” State

Parks spokesman Roy Stearns said of the approval. “This is one more step

that gets us closer to more public use.”

Stephen Miles, an attorney representing a group suing the state in an

attempt to return the former cottage residents to their homes, said he

was disappointed by the approval.

“The coastal commission isn’t truly informed about things down at

Crystal Cove,” said Miles, who represents the activist group Crystal Cove

Community Trust.