Mailbag: Aerial photos offer perspective on size of Banning Ranch

Each time something is written about Banning Ranch, there usually appears a photo of part of the land written about. I am a retired appraiser, so I am familiar with land sizes and what can be put on various size sites.

The recent op-ed piece and photo by Kevin Nelson, “Commentary: Draw the line against development at Banning Ranch,” (Sept. 3) was interesting, but more than that, provided an excellent aerial photo of the total ranch that clearly displays the vastness of the total acreage and what building possibilities there are if a decision is ever made whether to build.

Bill Spitalnick
Newport Beach

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Laguna is no longer affordable

The thing about Laguna in the ‘70s is that there were a lot of lofts that artists and worker bees could afford. When I first moved here in 1976, most everyone I worked with lived here (I worked at the Jolly Roger, long gone). Now, nobody I work with lives here.

And downtown had stores where working people could buy the things they needed without leaving town. Village Laguna can’t bring that back. The things it wants to preserve, like the Historic Poop Building in the parking lot on Broadway, should be torn down. I think Village Laguna served a purpose at one time, but no longer.

For me, the village entrance is the Greenbelt.That’s when I know I’m coming home.

John Bates
Laguna Beach

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Non-competive surf event ‘jammed’

The Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s very first “Jammin’ at the Jetty” surfing competition just finished on Aug. 27, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Bolsa Chica Tidal Inlet and the surfing culture of the ‘60s.

Special thanks to P.T. Townend, who organized the unique non-elimination surfing competition. Spectators enjoyed a front-row seat to the action at the North Jetty at Bolsa Chica State Beach, and the competition was followed by an award ceremony, tacos and beer at Pacific Kitchen.

Proceeds from the Jammin’ at the Jetty will support the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s STEM-based education and restoration programs. Hope to see you all next year!

Grace Adams
Executive Director, Bolsa Chica Conservancy
Huntington Beach

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Off-site parking is the solution to Laguna’s traffic woes

With the tremendous success of Laguna Beach’s peripheral parking and bus service at the 405/133 parking lot this summer, developing outlying parking options for visitors can reduce the amount of traffic into our community.

These parking hubs could also be connected with important bike routes along Laguna Canyon Road (LCR) into our community in alternative access to the open space. Bikes would ride right by all the stopped traffic during the summer months, and the trails could be accessed from multiple hubs rather than just LCR.

The open space usage on LCR has grown so fast and is contributing to the summer traffic with an annual 400,000 visitors. Usage needs to be spread out through the open space, as the areas on LCR are becoming overused.

There are many options and solutions, but things need to start happening sooner than waiting.

Louis Longi
Laguna Beach