"It's like squatting by the rich," said one commissioner.
"Some 55 Newport Beach homeowners who’ve extended their yards as much as 80 feet onto the public beach must return those areas to their natural state," reports Martin Wisckol.
A unanimous decision by the California Coastal Commission came as the result of the city of Newport Beach asking the state to intervene after years of unpermitted encroachment by the private property owners onto the public beach. "Those encroachments include lawns, shrubs, ground cover and lawn furniture, and the city’s proposal would have also allowed patios and seawalls," according to Wisckol.
"The commission agreed with its staff that the intrusions served as privatization of public beach…and was counter to the commission’s mission of ensuring public beach access," explains Wisckol.
The beach, known as Peninsula Point, is located just to the west of one of Southern California's most famous surfing locations—The Wedge.
FULL STORY: Coastal Commission orders Newport homeowners to remove yards from public beach
The Inequities of Beach Access
Over 80% of Californians live within an hour’s drive of a beach, but that does not mean that everyone has easy access to beaches.
Lawsuit Could Open Public Access to Colorado Rivers
Colorado is one of few U.S. states that has decided that private property owners supersede the public when it comes to access to rivers and streams.
California Coastal Commission Nixes Parking Reforms Intended to Spur ADUs in San Diego
Environmental causes run into conflict with zoning reforms intended for environmental benefit once again, as the California Coastal Commission requires San Diego to reinstate parking requirements for ADUs.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service