Club Beach Land Ruling Affirmed

If the exclusive Jonathan Club wants to expand its Santa Monica beachfront facility onto state-owned land, it must allow the general public to use the facility, the 2nd District Court of Appeal affirmed Thursday.

In a unanimous ruling, the court agreed that the Jonathan Club must abide by a 1985 Coastal Commission decision that required a non-discriminatory policy before the club could lease public land. The club had intended to use the land to expand its parking lot and paddle tennis courts.

The Jonathan Club, which has been attacked by civil rights and women’s groups for its exclusive membership policies, had argued that the Coastal Commission exceeded its jurisdiction in making the 1985 ruling.

State Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, whose office advises the Coastal Commission in legal matters, said he was pleased by the ruling.

“It confirms what we have always believed,” Van de Kamp said. “If the Jonathan Club benefits from the use of state property, the use of its facilities should be open on a non-discriminatory basis.”

Jonathan Club officials could not be reached.