Suit filed against Coastal Commission

A pair of coastal access advocacy groups have filed suit against the California Coastal Commission, hoping to throw out the permit for two housing development signs they say illegally restrict public access to public Bolsa Chica land.

The suit, filed in Orange County Superior Court last week, states that Signal Landmark, the parent company of developer Hearthside Homes, was allowed to build two “illegally constructed” signs to mark the entrance of its Brightwater housing development south of Warner Avenue. It was jointly filed by Access for All and the Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network.

The issue raised isn’t about the private land in the development, but the public land right next to it.

The signs, near Bolsa Chica Street and Los Patos Avenue and 1,000 feet from the development, are 10 feet high and more than 23 feet wide.

The suit argues the signs make the entrance to legitimate public land look private.

Officials with the Coastal Commission said last week they hadn’t received the suit and couldn’t comment.

The lawsuit takes the same line as the Coastal Commission’s staff did for an April 10 hearing, but the voting commissioners overruled that recommendation and allowed the signs anyway.

According to that staff report, “These tall stone walls establish an ambience of private exclusivity upon a public roadway that is an important entry point to public trails, parks and open spaces beyond.”

The lawsuit takes that same line, saying the Coastal Commission violated its policy of protecting access to the coast.

It’s not the first opposition the partially-completed Brightwater development has faced in recent months.

Native Americans and local environmental groups are petitioning the Coastal Commission to revoke its permit, citing what they call the improper reporting and handling of ancient bones and artifacts found on the land.

Hearthside Homes officials have said they followed all requirements.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at [email protected].