Petition Aims to Restore Free Admission to Volleyball Meet

Manhattan Beach residents have filed a petition with the California Coastal Commission in hopes of restoring a 30-year tradition of free admission to the annual Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament.

City officials amended the local coastal plan last month to allow one event promoter per year to sell all the seating at an event. That compares with a previous limit of selling 25% of the seats. If the Coastal Commission approves the plan next month, the city plans to sign a two-year contract with the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals and give up its role in partially funding the Manhattan Beach Open.

The commission will evaluate the plan, but will also review the permit that the city gave the promoter for the June 12-15 event because Manhattan Beach officials granted the association the permit by creating a local ordinance. The law was not approved by the commission, the governing body for coastal issues.

About 30 residents signed the petition that was sent to the commission last week. Bill Victor, who led the effort, said the group is taking its fight to the commissioners because the city has not addressed its concerns. He said that the tournament blocks access to the beach, that it creates too much noise, traffic and parking problems, and that the city is ignoring these problems.

City officials said they plan to face loudspeakers toward the ocean, limit the hours that music will be played and advertise the use of a shuttle service to and from the event. Beach-goers will have access to the beach.

Still, some residents believe that the event is an inconvenience to the community especially because it will no longer be free.

The Coastal Commission will review the issue at its Santa Barbara hearing May 13-16.