Supervisors Asked to Quash Camp Plan

In a blow to a proposed summer day camp for up to 400 children in county-run Laguna Niguel Regional Park, the City Council has voted to ask county supervisors to reject the plan.

The council also asked supervisors to delay a vote on the issue until after the Kite Hill Community Assn., the homeowners group located closest to the proposed day camp off Alicia Parkway, can schedule a Town Hall meeting.

Further, City Atty. Terry Dixon was directed to look into the city’s legal options in case the supervisors agree to lease a portion of Laguna Niguel Regional Park to a company that operates the Camp Frasier day camp.

“If our voice means anything, Camp Frasier would be doomed,” said Mayor Patricia C. Bates.

About 20 residents of the Kite Hill community showed up to hear a presentation from county officials, who said every reasonable concern has been addressed by the day camp operator, Irvine-based United Leisure Group.

The day camp would require construction of a pool and changing room and a corral that would house up to 36 horses. In addition, Camp Frasier would feature go-cart riding with a limit of four gasoline-powered vehicles.

City staff members said that with Kite Hill homes located on a slope about 150 feet above the day camp and 500 to 800 feet away from the horses and go-carts, noise and odor problems would be minimal.

Council members and residents, however, said the number of children and variety of activities would be too intense for what should be a relatively quiet regional park.

Kite Hill resident Dennis Harris said many local families use the park area being sought by the day camp and they shouldn’t have to “gather for a nice picnic lunch by a horse stable. . . . I feel certain some of the perfumes from the horse stable and the noise impacts will find their way up the hill.”