City Council Won’t Join Suit Against Coastal Panel

The Hermosa Beach City Council and Manhattan Beach City Council have both decided against joining the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals in its lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission.

The association filed a lawsuit last week challenging the Coastal Commission’s decision to ban paid seating at any public event held between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The association relocated its Manhattan Open tournament to Hermosa Beach last month after a local group filed a lawsuit challenging the environmental effects of the noise and pollution generated by the tournament. The volleyball group is hoping that the courts will overturn the decision before its July 25-27 tournament in Hermosa Beach.

Manhattan Beach officials would not comment on their decision this week. The Hermosa Beach City Council voted 3-2 not to support the lawsuit because they were concerned about how it would affect the Coastal Commission’s upcoming decision on whether to allow outdoor dining on their newly renovated plaza.

Council members Sam Edgerton and Bergie Benz, who voted to support the lawsuit, said they plan to write a brief in support of the volleyball promoter.

“I think it’s chicken,” said Benz, regarding the council’s decision. “They’re afraid of the reprisals from the Coastal Commission, but what it comes down to is we have lost our beach.”