The Rescue of Crystal Cove

* The decision by state parks officials not to allow a resort hotel at Crystal Cove was very gratifying to those of us who have believed all along that the park belongs to the people and should not be developed. Had these officials sought public input instead of making secret plans and commitments, they would have known early on that no one wanted a high-end resort.

Save Crystal Cove, a coalition of environmental groups (including the Sierra Club and Village Laguna) headed by Jeannette Merrilees, has been opposing development in the park for the last four years, and recently other coalitions and Joan Irvine Smith have joined the battle. But these groups may have conflicting goals. The question is, what should we do with the property?

My solution would be to raze all but a few of the ramshackle cottages and keep the rest of Crystal Cove pristine and open to the public. The preservation of sample dwellings should satisfy the requirements of the historic district designation and be of some interest to visitors. As for the tenants, they have had the rare privilege of renting cottages on a fabulous state-owned beach at moderate cost. They should be grateful--and move on.

BETTE ANDERSON

Laguna Beach

* State Parks Superintendent Rusty Areias did some informal--but unfortunately skewed--polling of the large, boisterous crowd battling the proposed luxury resort at Crystal Cove (“State to Drop Resort Project at Crystal Cove,” Feb. 11).

Except for the small number who have occupied the cottages and have a tremendous personal attachment to the buildings, the top priority of most people I’ve spoken to is to save the scenic and needed beach, with its dramatic bluffs and rocks, for the general public. Our tax money purchased it.

Virtually all the locals were outraged at the closed-door deal by which the Parks Department granted a 60-year concession to a developer to build a luxury resort in a public park. Now that the state has agreed to undo that done deal (after more of our tax money buys out the contract from the developer), I hope they will ascertain the feelings of the public before rushing into another done deal.

JANET REMINGTON

Costa Mesa

* It’s great that the state intends to vacate the contract for development of a private resort at Crystal Cove State Park, but let’s not celebrate prematurely.

We’re told that the state may pay up to $2 million to buy out the contract. However, implementation of the contract is subject to approval of the California Parks and Recreation Commission and the Coastal Commission. Considering the outcry against the resort, is it reasonable to expect commission approval?

Then why would the concessionaire want to spend additional money for plans and studies for commission hearings? Wouldn’t he be ahead if he walked away now? Why should he receive a gift of our precious park funds just to spare himself a futile effort?

The Times refers to state staff “working diligently” on a different plan for the park. In addition, the state is preparing to install sanitary sewers at Crystal Cove. Presumably, sewer location and capacity are being designed to serve some specific future development. What is that development?

Let’s not allow one back-room scheme to replace another.

SANDRA GENIS

Costa Mesa

* I recently came across a picture of the Laguna Beach area circa 1910. The whole beach was dotted with tents.

It’s a great idea that can answer many needs. I can envision leaving a few cottages standing for interest’s sake and intersperse between those cottages removable, colorful tents. By adding the tents to the equation, the parks department is given greater latitude. The parks department can make some money, and when Labor Day comes and the tents are removed, the beach returns to its natural state. Everyone wins.

JOSEPH GIORDANO

Laguna Beach

* Thank God the state has seen the light for once. The decision to scrap the development of a super-upscale resort at Crystal Cove comes as great relief. This move will correct a backdoor deal during the Wilson administration and allow us to conduct the planning process fairly and correctly. I’m willing to bet the dolphins that use the adjacent coast for birthing are also smiling.

CHRISTOPHER KOONTZ

Orange

* How amusing your coverage has been! The fight over this area now supposedly has credibility because Joan Irvine Smith wants to help. The recounting of her childhood memories from this part of the ranch adds emotional fuel to the fire. How touching--but unwarranted.

Crystal Cove is one of the last areas around Orange County that would be negatively impacted by development. If anything, this area, full of aged facilities, should be improved for everyone rather than kept for a limited number of wannabe elites.

There are countless stories similar to Smith’s of youths playing on different parts of the ranch over the decades, yet has any land really been saved? No, because somebody named Bren has a canvas to finish painting throughout the former Irvine Ranch.

My friends and I had played in the fields of Turtle Rock-Irvine and did our own version of running with the bulls with the cattle on the ranch. I don’t recall anyone listening to my stories and saving Turtle Rock from growing into what it is today.

Where was Smith when Newport Coast was being developed? I can remember from years ago surfing off the stretch of land between Crystal Cove and Corona del Mar and watching the sun rise over the beautiful hills. Now that stretch of coastline is ruined.

Or how about where the Ritz-Carlton resides? No one listened to my wife’s stories of her youth on that stretch of beach.

It doesn’t matter that a billionaire is now behind a cause. What matters is that development in Orange County has lacked a better balance with open space, and everyone should have a voice.

CHRIS WILLIS

Irvine