By Kevin Clerici
Ventura County Star
September 27, 20061
A
chorus of city and business leaders, surfers and other
proponents of a decade-long effort to rebuild and relocate a
crumbling trail on Ventura County Fairgrounds property lashed
out at Fair Board members Tuesday when the board postponed its
decision on the project.
Despite repeated pleas for support of the project, the Fair
Board voted unanimously Tuesday to postpone a decision until
its October meeting.
The board's staff offered little explanation for the delay,
saying only that more time was needed to better understand how
the project, now estimated at $4 million, would impact the
fairgrounds.
As a result, an October request for a critical construction
permit from the California Coastal Commission must be
withdrawn and requested later, possibly as early as November
or early next year. A coastal permit is needed to move the
trail on the seaward side of Shoreline Drive about 65 feet
inland.
Meanwhile, the pedestrian and bike trail continues to
disintegrate, leaving behind an unsightly hazard on the widely
used Ventura waterfront.
Angered proponents said Tuesday's decision puts the project in
jeopardy.
Some 20 people came to the meeting at the Derby Club expecting
to applaud the board. Instead, many left stunned that the Fair
Board and its staff were not prepared to address the matter.
"I can't believe my (expletive) ears," said
proponent Mark Halvorsen of Ojai, who left work to be at the
meeting. "Saying they need more time is an excuse. They
had an obligation today to move this hugely important project
forward."
Ventura City Councilman Brian Brennan said more than $1
million already has been spent on planning and studies. The
precedent-setting project to retreat from the ocean, instead
of building an enormous wall, will have far-reaching benefits.
"This is not about putting a Band-Aid on Surfers
Point," Brennan argued to the board. "This is about
rehabilitating the ecosystem. This is about rebuilding one of
the most important beachfront properties in our city. And we
haven't asked you guys for one penny."
Others who testified in support included leaders of the local
chapter of the Surfrider Foundation; Zoe Taylor, executive
director of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce; members of the
Green Building Council of Ventura County, and the Ventura
County Environmental Coalition.
No one spoke in opposition.
A decade in the making, the plan, often referred to as
"managed retreat," has gained positive attention
from coastal engineers, state leaders, environmentalists and
outdoor enthusiasts because it would create more beach space
rather than encroach on the valuable soil.
The city extended the Promenade and bike path to Surfers Point
in 1989. It also added a parking lot and lengthened Shoreline
Drive around the fairgrounds. But severe winter storms and
high surf followed, and, within two years, portions of the
bike path and parking lot had fallen into the ocean. Concrete
barriers now block about 100 yards of the eroded trail.
Once the bike path and parking lot are relocated inland,
25,000 to 35,000 tons of cobblestones would be spread at the
water's edge, nourishing the rocky shoreline and preventing
further erosion.
The city Monday applied for $1.7 million in federal and state
grants to go with some $2 million in hand.
Ventura resident Phil Naumoff said the deteriorating path is
an eyesore and has been a near constant cause of concern and
complaints for a dozen years. He said he didn't understand why
a forward-thinking fix with such widespread support was being
held up.
"It looks like we really don't care," he told the
board. "Everyone is fed up with it and are ready to move
forward."
After about 50 minutes of testimony, Fair Board member Ginger
Gherardi tried to appease speakers, making a motion to support
the project in "concept" so that it could still make
its scheduled October appearance before the Coastal
Commission. She believed that any minor issues could be
resolved between staff and the city.
Her motion, however, died because no one seconded it.
Fairgrounds officials downplayed Tuesday's catcalls, saying
the sides are closer than the spirited debate indicated.
"I think it was a positive meeting," fairgrounds CEO
Barbara Boester-Quaid said. "I can understand the passion
these people have for the project. It's the same level of
passion we have to do what is most responsible for the
fairgrounds."
The biggest hurdle remaining appears to stem from fair
officials' concerns over having adequate space at the 62-acre
fairgrounds to handle the crush of semis, campers and trucks
during the annual County Fair. Officials contend that they
don't have the space to simply move these vehicles, which
transport the carnival equipment and house people who work at
the fair. Proponents contend that some could be parked
off-site.
Boester-Quaid said she was optimistic that the fairgrounds and
city could work things out by next month's meeting.
Board member Jan Berk said the board's top responsibility is
"to do what is best for the fair." She said the
right balance of everyone's concerns could still be found.
"We are not trying to stall," she said. "We are
trying to do the right thing."
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