Laguna Niguel Land Giveaway: Finding Culprits in Lost Space

It is currently unclear whether the 96 acres of Salt Creek parkland were knowingly or negligently given to Taylor Woodrow developers.

What is known is that the Laguna Niguel Community Services District violated the public trust in either case, whether (the officials) knew what they were doing or acted recklessly in giving away the acreage.

The Community Services District must adequately identify all parklands entrusted to its control and must verify whether any development encroachment has occurred.

If the Community Services District did not know that Taylor Woodrow had developed on approximately 45 of the 96 acres, then they are just as negligent as if they had known. How can development occur on such a large area and not be discovered until nearly two years later?

If the Community Services District had acted properly, they should have adequately identified all parkland areas and therefore would have spotted development at the onset.

Many questions remain unanswered as to how 96 acres of parkland were given to a developer. But one answer is certain: Whether intentionally or negligently, the Community Service District violated the public trust given it by the citizens of Laguna Niguel to maintain their parklands.

ELI NAFFAH

Laguna Niguel