City Urges Developer to Firm Up Plans for Hotel on Marineland Site

Saying they are frustrated by delays and planning deadlines missed by the developer of the proposed luxury hotel and resort for the former Marineland site, Rancho Palos Verdes officials this week returned two envelopes of documents to developer James G. Monaghan.

The cover letter accompanying the packet invites Monaghan to “re-evaluate the scope of your project” and submit complete applications at a future date.

The materials relate to permits and the environmental impact report needed to build the hotel, conference center and golf course. Environmental Services Director Robert Benard said the decision to return the files was made after the Monaghan Co. missed a Nov. 15 deadline for getting all outstanding information to the city. He said the key missing material is a detailed project description with “floor plans, elevations, circulation, geology and grading.”

While expressing confidence that the project will be built, City Manager Dennis McDuffie said Monaghan must “get his act together and get serious about moving along with the project.”

McDuffie said the community has anticipated that “a quality project” would replace the Marineland resource “and that expectation level is slipping.”

Annoyed by the city’s actions, Monaghan spokesman John E. Corcoran said the company is “continuing to move ahead, has had several meetings with the city” where officials saw an updated site plan and models of the hotel. He conceded that the firm missed the Nov. 15 deadline but said delays have been caused by revisions in planning for the complex development, which he called a “tremendous investment.”

‘Partial Application’ Submitted

He said Monaghan submitted a “partial application” with incomplete information at the city’s request.

“We would like to bring this to a conclusion as soon as possible and make sure this is the best development,” he said. “If it takes longer to make improvements, we’ll do it.”

Corcoran said the project will be built. “Monaghan has made the statement that he will not only build this, but he will continue to be involved in it after it is built,” he said.

An Arizona developer, Monaghan purchased the 102-acre Marineland site at Long Point in May, 1987, and immediately said he would build a “world-class” resort hotel and conference center. Last June, he purchased 316 vacant acres from the Vanderlip family for a golf course serving the hotel.