Developing Vacant Land in Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach

The city of Laguna Beach argued before the California Coastal Commission that it was OK to develop and fill in 3 1/2 acres of the Laguna Greenbelt because it was only a little bit and because we had so much open space. Incredibly, the commissioners were persuaded by the argument!

Opponents to the proposed Alta Laguna Sports Complex displayed slides of aerial photographs that dramatically showed the scar that the present five-acre graded park site has inflicted upon the beautiful, pristine open space. However, a number of the “swing vote” commissioners noted that the pictures showed how vast the Laguna Greenbelt was and that developing a little bit wouldn’t hurt.

This concerns me greatly regarding all the efforts to acquire the Irvine Co.’s Laguna Laurel acreage. The Irvine Co. has plans to build a 3,200-house development in Laguna Canyon.

I believe it is essential to stop this development and to acquire the land and keep it natural for all future generations. It is most important for all our citizens’ quality of life to have refuge from the urban sprawl that is engulfing us.

But why bother acquiring the open space if projects will come up in the future to develop it, perhaps on a piecemeal basis? It is essential that as we are successful in acquiring this property, provisions are made to prevent development in the newly acquired open space in the future.

If we acquire Laguna Laurel, developers will have even a stronger argument that “developing a little won’t hurt” as we will have even more open space. We need to ensure that developing our open space can only occur by a vote of the people. Laguna Beach should have the Open Space Element of the General Plan ratified by the people in November with the proviso that no portion could be sold off or developed without the voters’ concurrence.

GENE FELDER

Laguna Beach