Christy Rounds Up Support for Ranch

By Andrea Adelson on October 10th, 2014

By Andrea Adelson | LB Indy

crowd turns out in support of new Ranch project.

A standing-room only crowd and elected Laguna Beach officials turned out for a Coastal Commission hearing Wednesday in Newport Beach to support remodeling of The Ranch golf course and hotel in Aliso Canyon, which is now under commission review.

Three elected City Council members, Lagunas city manager, and a former chairman of its planning commission joined Ranch co-owner Mark Christy to lobby for the project during the commissions public comment period.

Im begging you to look at the property, said Christy, urging the commissioners, while they are in the area for their two-day October meeting, to visit. We have nothing to hide.

Though the appeal itself was not on the formal agenda, Christy took advantage of the commissions proximity to organize the rally, sending out an email appeal two weeks ago. He chartered three large private buses for the trek between the Ranch and the neighboring town and handed out Ranch t-shirts to supporters. He aimed to provide a visual demonstration of the publics enthusiasm for what he described as a sensitive restoration project.

No one is being paid, Christy told the commissioners, referring to scores of locals that lined the Newport Beach City Council chambers. This is the way Laguna rolls when they know something is wrong.

The commissioners cannot legally respond to issues raised during the public comment period and remained silent.

The commission rarely sees a rally in favor of a development, pointed out Rob Zur Schmiede, a former chairman of the Laguna Beach Planning Commission, who is running for City Council.

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Christy Rounds Up Support for Ranch