Irvine Co. Wins Property Battle

Unmoved by written pleas from parents to save the Camp Frasier day camp, an Orange County Superior Court judge Friday denied businessman Harry Shuster’s bid to remain on 300 acres near the El Toro Y pending an appeal of his eviction from the site.

The ruling by Orange County Superior Court judge Byron McMillan clears the way for the Irvine Co. to regain control of the property. Shuster refused to vacate the premises after his lease expired Feb. 28.

Irvine Co. spokesman Larry Thomas said the land giant will ask the court’s marshal to begin eviction proceedings immediately, which could return the parcel to his company’s control by early May.

“We feel vindicated as a matter of law,” Thomas said. “All of their claims to remain on the property were bogus. We’re glad to have that resolved clearly.”

Shuster’s attorneys had argued that the businessman, as well as the surrounding community, would suffer irreparable harm by the eviction. Shuster’s United Leisure Corp. operates the Camp Frasier day camp on the site, which has become a popular vacation pastime for thousands for Orange County children. Court papers included emotional letters from parents expressing dismay over the camp’s imminent demise.

Shuster attorney Brian Lysaght said he’ll ask a higher court to allow Shuster to remain on the parcel pending the appeal of the eviction.

Irvine Co. officials scoffed at the notion that Shuster was acting out of concern for the community, citing his threats to destroy all improvements to the property if he isn’t granted a lease extension.

“That is feigned altruism,” Irvine Co. attorney Linda Schilling said. “It’s posturing.”

Thomas said the Irvine Co. is considering replacing Camp Frasier by inviting another day camp operator onto the site. But he said it’s unclear whether that could be accomplished in time for this summer’s season.

Shuster has been battling for a 26-year extension of his lease, alleging that an Irvine Co. official made an oral promise to extend the lease beyond Feb. 28 if the property continued to be used for recreational purposes. He contends that the Irvine Co. is trying to swipe his subtenants--the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre and Wild Rivers water park--without compensating him for his bringing those two profitable tenants to the property.

McMillan refused to hear those arguments and ruled last week to return control of the property to the Irvine Co.