Close, but it’s still not over

As a 30-year battle over the Bolsa Chica mesa potentially nears its

end, the players seem to need a reminder to play nice and be

reasonable.

The lower portion of the Bolsa Chica mesa inched closer to coming

into state hands last week when the California Wildlife Conservation

Board approved a purchase from landowner Hearthside Homes. But that

step may prove meaningless, because the deal still needs approval

from landowner Signal Landmark’s shareholders, which Hearthside CEO

Ray Pacini said will only happen if the California Coastal Commission

approves a development on the upper portion of the Bolsa Chica mesa.

So in one corner we have Pacini, who says he’s prepared to play

rough and tough if he doesn’t get what he wants. In the other corner,

we have the California Coastal Commission -- a powerful board whose

staff members are recommending an outright denial of Hearthside’s

project, which they say does not adhere to the Coastal Act.

Both sides are trying to play hardball here and should keep their

best interests in mind. For Pacini, that means remembering a previous

Coastal Commission ruling that says the lower portion can not be

built on. If it isn’t sold to the state for $65 million, he’s going

to have to find another buyer for the land. Good luck with that,

don’t play too tough.

The Coastal Commission needs to keep in mind it serves the public.

And while it should be a stanch protector of the Coastal Act, it

needs to work with the developer to come out with an equitable and

fair plan for the area. No one will be well served by another 30

years of fighting. While an ongoing battle leaves the land

undeveloped, it costs money to argue over the property hurting the

community and developer’s business, and it prevents the land from

being restored or enjoyed by the public.

Both entities should be striving for a solution. For instance, the

Coastal Commission has said a gated community cannot be built, and

the homes are too big. There are only a fraction of the homes planned

compared to what was OKd be the commission previously. Hearthside

should take the gate off the plans and the commission should look at

whether 379 large homes is not better than more than 1,000 smaller

homes.