Sign our petition to protect Aliso Canyon in O.C.

Sierra Club’s Save Hobo Aliso Task Force was created nearly 15 years ago when threats to the finite natural resources in the Hobo and Aliso Canyon (and creek) areas began in earnest. We have always taken our stewardship of this area very seriously and have been involved at every level of government in our protection and preservation of this area. 

Sign our online petition to help protect Aliso Canyon and Creek.

Five years ago the California Coastal Commission helped us save 75 acres, and there is a right of first refusal on a portion of land that is currently under negotiations.  However, as the late coastal commissioner Peter Douglas said, “The coast is never saved. It’s always being saved.” 

With this in mind, the Sierra Club has yet another battle on its hands with the development of The Ranch in Aliso Canyon and new owners/developers that have little to no concern about the area’s rich natural resources, cultural resources and public access issues. Some of our members may remember this property as the old Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course. 

This highly contentious issue will be heard by the Coastal Commission on Jan. 7-9 in Marina del Rey.

The Coastal Commission has heard this issue on appeal and what will be heard in January is the de novo portion of the appeal process. This enables the Commission to delve into all areas of concern using not only the City’s Local Coastal Program policies as the standard of review, but also the policies of the Coastal Act. In addition, the developer has been issued a Notice of Violation by the Commission for unpermitted development and destruction of habitat and other natural resources in an area that is adjacent to the Aliso Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. This enforcement action will also be a part of the de novo hearing.

Here are just a few of the issues that were included in the appeal that will be reviewed de novo:

• As stated previously, the unpermitted development in the historic eucalyptus grove adjacent to the wilderness park included the installation of a 7,000 square foot dance floor, walkways, native and non-native plants, changes to lighting that impact this wilderness area, use of the new facility for large events that introduce people, loud noises and light into the grove with impacts to potentially suitable habitat for federally threatened California Gnatcatcher among various other biologically sensitive species.

• Removal of native and non-native vegetation from City-designated areas of Very-High Value Habitat and High Value Habitat located around the perimeter of the golf course.

• Absolutely NO environmental review prior to demolition and construction.

• Insufficient parking that impacts public beach access parking along Coast Highway, designated public beach access parking lots and surrounding neighborhoods.

• A portion of the proposed development is located within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated special flood hazard area and therefore a floodplain development building permit is required.

• Applicant’s refusal to complete a public access trail that would connect Aliso Wood Canyons Wilderness Park trail to the coast, providing the long-awaited Trail to the Sea that was planned during the development process of the City of Aliso Viejo. This trail has been on the County’s Master Trail Plan for over 40 years.

I have personally, along with many Laguna Beach environmental advocates, brought numerous appeals to this Commission following the City of Laguna Beach’s very bad decisions.  Every single appeal has been found to have substantial issue and through de novo have either been denied or improved thanks to the strong work of this Commission.  

The Ranch is unfortunately just another case of bad Laguna Beach planning and decision making.

During public comment at the October Coastal Commission hearing, the City Council made an unprecedented stand of support for this environmentally deficient project. Recently re-elected Councilmember Toni Iseman spoke to the beauty of this canyon and how we “all” enjoy it. We take issue with Councilmember Iseman’s statements. No, this property is a strictly pay to play area. We don’t all enjoy it. It’s not a park, it’s not free and open to the public. You pay to enjoy the beauty here, and now we are being refused the long-planned Trail to the sea – a public trail that has been on the books since the early '70s. That’s how the public would be able to enjoy this special place.

Let your voices be heard at the January hearing, fellow Sierra Club members!

Penny Elia is chair of the Save Hobo Aliso Task Force.