Commission to consider cottages

Paul Clinton

A state coastal panel is poised to approve the restoration of

historic cottages at the state park for use by the general public.

At a meeting today in Long Beach, the California Coastal

Commission will consider a plan from California State Parks to

restore the 46 cottages and offer them to the public as affordable

overnight rentals.

Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman, who is also a commissioner, said

she has long been a supporter of the plan that has winded its way

through months of public input and discussion. The California State

Parks Commission approved the project Feb. 21.

“This is an example of caring people working hard to preserve

historic, cultural resources,” Iseman said.

“The area will soon be open to the public and we can all enjoy

this moment frozen in time,” she added.

Long valued by its former residents as an idyllic refuge from the

stresses of modern life, Crystal Cove, for the first time since the

state purchased the land and cottages in 1979, will be offered to

anyone who books a room if the commission approves.

State Parks officials have been working to turn the district over

for public use for more than 20 years, but several successful

lawsuits slowed them. The former cove dwellers successfully fought to

stave off eviction until July 2001, when they left after receiving

eviction notices.

Parks spokesman Roy Stearns said his agency looks forward to begin

restoring the cottages, which would begin in October pending

commission approval.

“We’re hoping that approval goes through and that we get started

on time,” Stearns said. “Everybody is very excited to get this

project started.”

Coastal Commission analyst Anne Blemker, in an April 22 report the

Daily Pilot obtained, has recommended that commissioners approve the

project under several conditions.

State Parks, if the conditions are adopted, would need to better

define rental rates, add a new bluff-top parking lot and ensure the

protection of coastal sage scrub, among other things.

In the first phase of the project, the state would spend $12

million to restore and upgrade the bulk of the cottages, which would

be available for rental as early as fall 2004.

Two types of rentals would be offered, said Mike Tope,

superintendent of State Parks’ local district. Guests could book a

cot in a dormitory style cottage for between $25 and $30 a night.

Private cabins would go for between $80 and $150.

Under the state’s plan, 30 cottages would be set aside for

overnight rental; eight would go to park staff; five would be used

for education and an interpretive center; and three would be used as

concession stands.

Environmentalists who once fought against a private resort plan

for the cove have, for the most part, embraced the state’s project.

Laura Davick, an activist and former resident, is among them.

“I’m looking forward to it being approved so we can move on to the

future of Crystal Cove,” Davick said. “I fully support the plan. I

think it’s a great balance.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.