Mailbag: Allow reasonable development at Banning Ranch

There are many people who are sick and tired of the NIMBY attitude displayed in many letters to the Daily Pilot regarding Banning Ranch.

If only the Native Americans had had the choice to restrict the foreign intrusion into their lands, all of Southern California would be pristine and unblighted by the homes that over 20 million people live in, including the most recent letter writer.

Is it so hard to understand that as you restrict the supply of homes, prices rise? While I am not in favor of completely unbridled development, a reasonable amount of building should and can continue in order to provide homes for the people who haven’t been so lucky as to have already gotten theirs at lower prices, whether renting or owning.

I don’t have children, but many of my friends do, and they all say the same thing: My kids will never be able to afford Orange County and will have to live an hour — or more — inland.

It appears as though the most recent letter writer would be OK with more parking, so she can get a spot when she wants one, but parking lots also take land.

There is nothing special on Banning Ranch (including endangered species) that does not exist in many areas of not only Orange County but all of Southern California. Much of Newport Coast is undeveloped and will remain that way forever. You can still hike the trail from the top of Newport Coast all the way down to the water. There’s Bolsa Chica, San Onofre State Park, all the way down to Trail 7, .

Sure, I fondly remember when there was more open space, but I also know that there are many people looking for a reasonably priced roof over their heads.

Stop thinking about just yourself and look at the big picture, keep balance in mind and enough with the NIMBYism. Write to the Coastal Commission and tell them you’re OK with reasonable amounts of development including Banning Ranch.

Dennis Gimian
Irvine