‘Catasrophic’ Coastal Development Gets Underway In Dana Point

Ryan Brower

• September 18 2008
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As reported by Susannah Rosenblatt for the LA Times.

September 18, 2008: After more than 30 years of legal, legislative and environmental battles, the multimillion-dollar development on the Dana Point Headlands — one of the last untouched promontories in the region — was unveiled in a coming-out party Wednesday afternoon.

Invited guests could nibble hors d’oeuvres under a white tent while enjoying rolling waves, sea breezes, a rugged coastline — and an estimated $18-million view.

Once buyers own the dirt, the houses — with such luxurious touches as infinity pools, home theaters and eight-car garages — can cost $10 million more.

To make way for the houses, developers completely leveled the original outcropping, home to the endangered Pacific pocket mouse and threatened California gnatcatcher, and reshaped 2 million cubic yards of earth into the terraced lots of the Strand at Headlands. The land is supported by extensive retaining walls of concrete blocks. To the south, the rocky promontory shielding Dana Point Harbor remains.

Conservationists describe the development as “catastrophic.” The California Coastal Commission’s 2004 approval of the project was “a tragic loss for the coast and coastal protection,” said Mark Massara, director of coastal programs for the Sierra Club. Referring to Wednesday’s celebration, Massara said: “These guys are like dancing on this desecrated bluff; it’s just really a shame.”

City officials in Dana Point, who initially signed off on the project more than six years ago, are excited about the 68 acres of new parks and trails.

“I think people are watching the p’s and q’s to make sure the developer delivers what he promised,” said Mayor Joel Bishop.

Dana Point voters rejected more extensive building plans in 1994. Bishop said this effort strikes a balance between natural features and new construction. “Once it’s done, there will be a great sense of closure,” he said.

As the gated neighborhood gradually fills in, beachgoers will have four access points to the Strand, as the stretch of sand is known, rather than a single stairway that’s long been the only route to the water.

Headlands Reserve is building a $2-million motorized rail car system to move people up and down the bluff, in addition to public restrooms. Visitors can also take one of three new stairways or trails to the beach.

A new public sidewalk runs 2,200 feet along the length of the development, just below a green metal fence where each front-row lot has its own built-in beach access. The path is next to a new sea wall, a controversial structure that some foes of the project believed violated the state’s Coastal Act.

A few strollers passed on the new sidewalk Wednesday afternoon while a handful of body boarders, surfers and sunbathers dotted the shore. On the bluff above, chain-link fencing was bordered by newly planted palms and birds of paradise.

Even as the real estate market is in a slump nationwide, prospects for selling the prime, cliff-top lots look bright, Edward said. More than 30 of the parcels have been sold, but only a portion have been put on the market.

For the full article head to LA Times.