Fight to Save Main Beach Gaining Critical Momentum

SaveMainBeach.org has tapped into a deep well of emotions and gathered support since its kick-off on August 22, 2008. In just one month, the movement has developed a solid supporter list and has informed thousands of residents, business owners and visitors about the City’s plan to significantly alter Main Beach.

The City of Laguna Beach plans to build a 4,500 square foot lifeguard facility on the sand at Main Beach and very few Laguna residents, business owners and visitors knew about it until SaveMainBeach.org began informing the public about this plan.

The most overwhelming, frequent comment SaveMainBeach.org has heard from residents while the street teams were out informing the public was ‘I had no idea’, followed by shock and opposition.

This plan has educated the community and evoked a number of strong comments and feelings. Following is a sample of the comments from Laguna Beach residents in response to the City’s massive expansion plan:

“This is complete nonsense. If it were a private enterprise or a private home on the beach, it would have never been accepted or approved by the Planning Department or the City Council. There are other places where this facility can be placed and not at Main Beach.” –David Tardiff

“I fully support all efforts to curtail the size of this project. I feel this is far too large of an installation that overpowers the north end of Main Beach. It destroys the character of the beach and is inappropriate.” –Brian Jacobs

“Laguna’s Main Beach was recently rated the #1 FIVE-STAR beach in the United States as was widely reported on NBC, CNN, ABC, etc. How can we even THINK of dramatically changing the crown jewel of our town? I am shocked and outraged!” –Todd Carter

“The Council should NEVER even try to build such a large facility on this beautiful site. There is plenty of other public land OFF the beach front that can be used for the lifeguards. They do NOT have to have an office and center ON the Beach!

It is insulting and we are appalled by the arrogance of this Council and Mayor for trying to pull this off. All the while they make the most difficult and stringent rules for all of the good tax paying citizens of this small town, when it comes to making even the smallest residential change.

The Council and Mayor should resign for attempting such a ridiculous, high cost and embarrassing project.” –Brian Cuddy

“The CHP does not build their administrative facilities directly on the freeways they patrol. Why does the lifeguard administrative building need to be directly on the beach? I fully support the lifeguards but not the admin at this site.” –Ron Kastner

SaveMainBeach.org urges the public to attend the Environmental Impact Report meeting at the City Council Chambers on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. to let the City know how they feel about these plans.

For more information, please visit www.SaveMainBeach.org and register so you can be kept up to date with respect to the City’s actions on this project. “Before” and “After” photographs of Main Beach are also posted on the web site.