South County Growth Control

Ray Chandos’ letter (July 19) missed the point. No one suggests Santiago Ranch was approved because the owner was an “orphan.” My letter (July 12) only states that the owner, despite humble origin, saved and worked hard for the right to own the ranch. Some buyers in new housing tracts protest growth before the concrete is dry in their drive. Cabin lot owners in Trabuco protesting small lots is analogous to chain smokers crusading for pure air.

It doesn’t take a soothsayer to see growth has come to South Orange County. Climate and the economy are attracting migration. Pacific Rim growth is beyond the control of the Planning Commission.

Apparently, for the remainder of the 20th Century the U.S. Supreme Court will have a Reagan majority. Open space, scenic corridors, density controls and beach access through private property may be re-appraised from the perspective of individual Constitutional guarantees and specified limitations on governmental powers. Ideally, law will again prevent plunder, rather than promote plunder.

Santiago Ranch may provide a good test case for re-evaluation of the 14th Amendment due process clause in regard to taking property. Chandos is correct that many of the Planning Commission’s density controls are arbitrary. Arbitrary can be construed unreasonable, when local decision makers are without governing standards.

Now that our ex-governor is off searching for truth, and our current governor is building roads again, many of today’s traffic problems will be resolved. Also with a back to basics U.S. Supreme Court, and capital punishment, we may not need the new jail.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Newport Beach