Plans submitted for development at Bolsa Chica

Thirty years ago, plans for Bolsa Chica included a sweeping breadth of

5,700 homes, a marina and hotels on the 1,200-acre area.

But the ensuing years saw a constant scaling back of the plan in the

face of opposition from conservationists and reactions by developers.

Now, one potentially final plan has emerged for just a tiny swatch of

the mesa.

This week, Hearthside Homes submitted a proposal to the state and

county to build 387 single-family homes on the upper Bolsa Chica Mesa

near Los Patos and Warner Avenues.

Hearthside’s executive vice president, Lucy Dunn, would not discuss

the plans, saying her company has a policy against speaking with the

Independent.

In published accounts, Dunn said the company submitted the plans in

order to move ahead with construction while awaiting legal decisions

about earlier proposed developments.

Hearthside, along with Signal Landmark, is contesting a November

ruling by the California Coastal Commission that would limit development

to 65 acres out of a planned 183 on the upper mesa.

Reactions to the latest proposal from Bolsa Chica activists was

relatively muted, as most have not yet seen the plans.

Adrianne Morrison of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy said she is curious

about the proposed plan and interested in the role the conservancy could

play in water-quality management.

“We would be involved in developing a water quality monitoring

program,” Morrison said.

President of Amigos de Bolsa Chica Linda Moon could not be reached for

comment.

In is unlikely that any work on the plans would begin before the

middle of next year, after the county is expected to release

environmental studies of the proposal.

The plan then would have to get the approval of the county Board of

Supervisors and the coastal commission.