State panel adopts plan for Cove cottages

Paul Clinton

The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a plan on

Wednesday to restore the historic, but crumbling, cottages at the

state park for public overnight rentals.

The 11-member panel, at a Long Beach meeting, validated a plan

that was arguably two decades in the making. California State Parks

drafted its first restoration plan for the cottages in 1982.

The approval sets up a dual significance for next year as the 25th

anniversary of the state’s purchase of Crystal Cove from the Irvine

Co. in 1979 and the year the bulk of the 46 cottages will open for

public use.

“This is a very significant milestone in getting that section of

the park open to the public,” said Mike Tope, superintendent of the

State Parks’ local district. “It’s good to have a plan that

everybody’s behind.”

That could not be said in September 1997, when the state signed a

secret deal with Bay Area concessionaire Michael Freed for a luxury

resort at the cove. Using aggressive grass-roots tactics,

environmentalists mobilized opposition to that plan, which paved the

way for the state’s repudiation of it.

In July 2001, families that had lived at the cove since the 1940s

left after receiving eviction notices.

The state then proposed setting aside 30 cottages for overnight

rental. Eight would go to park staff; five would be used for

education; and three would house concession stands. The commission

approved that proposal on an 11-0 vote Wednesday evening.

In granting approval, the commission also set a string of

conditions that State Parks must meet, said Anne Blemker, the

commission’s project analyst. Those are better defined rental rates,

a new bluff-top parking lot, protection of coastal sage scrub, a

better water-quality management plan and a “mix of bed types” in the

lodgings, Blemker said.

The state plans to begin offering the cottages for rental in fall

2004. Dormitory-style cots will go for about $30 per night, while

private cottages will rent for between $80 and $150 per night.

On Wednesday evening, Laura Davick, a former Crystal Cove resident

and activist, breathed a sigh of relief after several years of

activity on the project. Davick said she looks forward to a new

public era at the cove.

“This historic district will be open to the public,” Davick said.

“I’m so glad this is behind us.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

[email protected].