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April 15, 2008
A shift in the sands
THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION has taken over in the ongoing sand war between Pierpont homeowners and the city. Monday night's City Council meeting held little of the rancor of earlier sessions.
The Council voted 5-1 to proceed with several key steps that should help to partially satisfy Pierpont homeowners who have been unable, because of complicated state regulations, to clear large dunes which are causing damage to houses and impeding beach access through the stairs on the lanes. See previous entry.
The council's actions direct staff to seek a short-term solution to the sand issues and a shared-funding arrangement with residents to pay for a long-term solution. There remains the possibility that Transient Occupancy Taxes collected on beach rentals could be used to help defray costs. The city also voiced a commitment to keeping the access stairs free of sand, but the level of service remains to be determined.
The long arm of the California Coastal Commission was ever-present through the discussion. The commission, established as part of the 1976 Coastal Act, is the ultimate arbiter of what goes on at the state-owned beach. Any plan to clear dunes could affect sensitive beach habitat and comes under its purview.
CITY ENGINEER Rick Raives offered a faint glimmer of hope to residents that the state-authored Sand Management Plan which they find so distasteful could substantially change. "It's really in no person's best interests to fight a losing battle with the Coastal Commission, but we're willing to see if they'll consider any revisions."
He added that the injunction filed by Pierpont residents against the city and state has put a bit of a pall on negotiations. The outcome of this suit should determine ownership of the narrow strip of land that runs in front of the beachfront houses and as well as who ultimately pays to maintain the area. News on that front should come by April 30.
Looming budget cuts and other pressing needs in the city will also have an effect on what is done for Pierpont. "There isn't enough money and time to fix all these problems," City Manager Rick Cole said.
Councilmember Carl Morehouse, always refreshingly candid, expressed the wish of many that equipment could be brought out to plow the sand away once and for all. But we need to work with the Coastal Commission, he said. "Rather than doing shock and awe, we should have a diplomatic approach."
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Comments
This scenario was discussed in numerous threads and is finally playing out. Sadly, bureaucrats will only respond to the threat of legal action - it's just an inherent part of how they respond to challenges. I'm certainly glad that this problem is finally reaching a solution stage, however let's not forget what it took to get everyone to the table. Those who think that the beachfront homeowners were overly aggressive or greedy should remember that they were forced into initiating legal action by the same non-responsive bureaucrats who are now finally doing something. What we're seeing now is not local leaders representing their taxpayers, but bureaucrats who were forced into at least acting like leaders.
Before they start to pat each other on the back, let's remember the time and resources that the City and State wasted and that without legal action, they'd still be avoiding the problem. And finally, let's not forget "our" Coastal Commission who have obviously risen to modern Pharaoh status (are we even allowed to look at their shadow if they pass by?) Time and money - our leaders have lots of it to play with.
Thankfully, it looks like the residents as well as the council are moving closer to the middle. As mentioned at the meeting, the decssion made in 1998 to cease with the cleaning/grooming of Pierpont beach has had lasting/negative effects which have brought us to the place that we are today. The Coastal Commission all but admitted that the reason that Oxnard (and other beaches) are able to bring in heavy equipment to clean the beaches is that it has been going on for so long. No one could have imagined that the one (hasty) decission made by the council so many years ago would have such an impact on so many. The council was urged to give thoughtful consideration to the decissions which they are now faced with regarding Pierpont. We would hate to think that 10 years from now, the residents and council would point to this day..this moment in history and credit us with fundamentally removing access and use of the majority of the beach in Pierpont. As the Ventura home page suggest..."The city of Ventura is a classic Southern California beach town". It is the obligation of every person that enjoys the beach and certainly the obligation of the city council to do everything possible to protect the city's number one asset...THE BEACH.
Posted by: Lisa at April 17, 2008 11:30 AM
It is unfortunate that a lawsuit had to be filed by the beachfront homeowners to get the City and State Parks' attention as to the seriousness of the sand issue in Pierpont. I know for a fact that their lawyer tried to negotiate with the Operations side of the City and with State Parks, but to no avail. Hence the lawsuit. State Parks didn't even bother to send someone to her meeting. The good news is that the City Council led by Mayor Weir now seems to understand and support the residents of Pierpont. I am very concerned, however, about the Coastal Commission's present position which basically wants to give precidence to the Globuse Dune Beetle over us humans. Pierpont Beach is in an urban area. It is a recreational beach and in no way, shape or form should become a Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area which is exactly where the Coastal Commission is trying to push it. And I guarentee that State Parks is on the same page. Hopefully our City Council will make every effort to keep Pierpont Beach for the recreational use of the citizens of Ventura and its visitors and stop this insanity.
Posted by: Murray at April 16, 2008 1:40 PM