Tax Increase Small Price to Pay to Stop Canyon’s Development
The residents of Laguna Beach are expected to vote to increase their property taxes via a $20-million bond issue to provide a significant part of the funds to purchase the Irvine Co.’s Laguna Laurel development land in Laguna Canyon.
Monies will also be contributed by the county--$2 million per year for five years. Thus, through the leadership and generosity of the residents of Laguna Beach, the county will have a wilderness park for pennies on the dollar. The acquired Laguna Laurel area is to be administered as part of the county’s wilderness park system.
The Laguna Laurel area is close to the county’s Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park and Crystal Cove State Park, which are significant parts of the Laguna Greenbelt. The Laguna Laurel area is in the heart of the Laguna Greenbelt, and its preservation is essential to provide wildlife a habitat that is large enough for a thriving ecosystem. This is the “central park” for Orange County.
The negotiations are the results of cooperative efforts of Laguna Beach, led by Mayor Lida Lenney and Councilman Robert F. Gentry, the Irvine Co., the county and environmental groups. The letters you printed indicate that other Orange County cities are being taken advantage of, with preferential treatment being given to Laguna Beach.
Laguna Canyon Conservancy president Carolyn Wood said the acquisition of Laguna Laurel is a “win for everyone.” Hopefully, the Irvine Co. will accrue goodwill. Pollution and congestion will be reduced preventing degradation to the quality of life for residents of Laguna Beach and other cities. And Orange County will get a wilderness park with a small contribution of county funds.
I’m sure the county’s park people will be eager to scrape up funds to acquire open space near other cities willing to tax themselves to provide a greater portion of the money. Those of us in Laguna Beach would be overjoyed to support such actions in this county, which otherwise has development running amok.
GENE FELDER
Laguna Beach
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