LAGUNA NIGUEL : Residents Opposing Water Tank on Ridge

Residents in the Laguna Heights community have begun a petition drive to block construction of a 2-million-gallon water tank on one of the city’s highest ridgelines.

While a water district official said the tank is needed to conserve water and keep Laguna Niguel’s hillsides green, residents say the ridge, which offers a panoramic view of the Capistrano Valley, should be left undisturbed. An equestrian trail frequented by joggers and walkers stretches along the hilltop.

“This ridgeline is one of the most beautiful in all of South County, if not all of Southern California,” said Kathleen Botros, a resident of the Palisades development, a neighborhood in Laguna Heights. “This was one of the reasons so many of us chose to buy here. This is just a real valuable community resource we’re talking about losing here.”

Residents said the project, which is expected to take a year to complete and would require the removal of 25,000 cubic yards of soil, would lower property values and generally disrupt their lives while construction is under way.

Engineers have determined during the past year that the hilltop, which rises 700 feet above sea level, would be “the ideal location” for the reservoir, according to a spokesman for the Moulton Niguel Water District, which serves Laguna Niguel and surrounding cities.

The concrete tank would be 32 feet deep and 106 feet wide, but would be mostly buried, said Carlo Habash, director of engineering for the water district. However, a 50-foot wide section would rise above ground 6 feet at the highest point, he said.

Although several bids have been received on the project, Habash said the tank cannot be installed until the water district is granted right-of-way by the Laguna Heights Homeowners Assn., which owns the property. But residents say a project of such magnitude should not proceed without the blessing of the homeowners themselves.

Diane Brizzard, who has carried anti-tank petitions throughout the area, said the feedback she received so far indicates the community is opposed to the project.

“I’ve gotten negative responses from everybody I’ve talked to,” she said.

Minh Argabritht said residents are upset that the association did not notify them earlier that such a project was in the works. “It took us by surprise.”

Laguna Heights Homeowners Assn. board member Dave Cathcart said the board was approached by the water district about nine months ago but said there was no reason to advise homeowners until engineers could decide if the project was feasible. The board unanimously supported allowing the water district to conduct feasibility tests, Cathcart said.

“I would hope we could sit down and arrive at a meeting of the minds, so the project could be completed with as little inconvenience and frustration as possible,” Cathcart said.

A 3-million-gallon tank is currently under construction in the nearby Bear Brand Ranch area, Habash said. About 15 reservoirs have been built in the area since 1974, but this is the first time there has been such a public outcry, he said.

Water district officials will meet with residents on Thursday to explain the project, Habash said. At a subsequent association board meeting, the district will attempt to gain easement rights, he said.