DANA POINT : City OKs Landslide Cleanup Package

Nearly a year after a massive landslide, the City Council this week voted to endorse a federally funded $3.1-million repair package that will not only clear Coast Highway but also restore seven privately owned bluff-top lots.

The council voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve the plan to rebuild the 75-foot bluffs along La Ventana in San Clemente and open the roadway, which has been closed since the cliff collapsed in February, 1993.

The project includes a network of cable anchors designed to not only stabilize the bluffs but restore the homeowners’ properties.

Councilman William L. Ossenmacher was absent.

Last December, the council approved a less-intense project that would have cleared the highway and built a retaining wall only. But several months of negotiations with the homeowners and the city of San Clemente ultimately led to an agreement that shares the added costs of the repairs among all the parties, said Councilman Mike Eggers.

The agreement stipulates that the homeowners pay $200,000 for the extra repair work through a loan guaranteed by the city of San Clemente. It also stipulates that the two cities share all costs not covered by federal grants, an amount estimated to be $150,000, Eggers said.

“Finally, it’s all done,” said Eggers, adding that he and the other council members were frustrated by the many delays. “But I’m not cracking any Champagne corks over this.”

Although the work will start in the coming months, the highway is not expected to be open until June, 1995.