LAGUNA BEACH : Smithcliffs Action Delayed by Dispute

A controversy over development of a secluded, 10.4-acre coastal property known as Smithcliffs continued Thursday, when a regional sewage agency postponed a decision on how sewer service would be provided.

The proposed development of 26 exclusive homes on the unincorporated site depends on getting sewer service. The Irvine Ranch Water District has offered to provide that service.

But that plan requires the cooperation of the Aliso Water Management Agency board, of which Laguna Beach is a member.

And the city of Laguna Beach wants some say in how the Smithcliffs site is developed. Smithcliffs is adjacent to Laguna Beach. The city has maintained that the land is logically part of Laguna and that city officials should have some say in how it is developed.

Laguna has said it will not provide sewer service unless the land is annexed to the city, an option rejected by the property owner, construction magnate Gary Brinderson.

Aliso Water Management Agency board members on Thursday directed the Laguna Beach and the Irvine Ranch Water District to hire a new attorney to study issues surrounding the problem.

Tensions have been raised within the normally cohesive board over the battle between two of its members. The strain was heightened Thursday when City Manager Kenneth C. Frank said Laguna’s “level of comfort” would be raised if a separate attorney is hired to grapple with the issues. The Irvine law firm of Bowie, Arneson, Kadi & Dixon represents both the Aliso Water Management board and the Irvine Ranch Water District.

Over the objections of Peer Swan, president of Irvine Ranch Water District, the directors agreed to postpone further discussion until the attorney has time to study the complex issues.