California millionaires have taken matters into their own hands and decided to build a green fence along a public beach walkway to keep out visitors – even though they are being fined $5 million for the decision.
The most recent fight over the 800-foot walkway began in December when the Coastal Commission fined property owners for trying to block the walkway with makeshift materials such as nets, cones and medians.
In response, the owners decided to sue the commission, as a judge ruled that the county had to pay them $3.7 million in legal fees and damages for the years of fighting, but the county did appeal the decision.
Barry Scott, an Aptos resident who advocates against the fence, told the Chronicle of San Francisco: “We want to be the nice place that people want to come and visit, not a fenced off place.”
Many residents found the condition of the narrow and blocked alley dangerous. However, homeowners who reside in homes worth $2 million to $5 million argued that the path acts as patios in their yards.
Millionaires from Santa Cruz, California decided to build a new green fence along the driveway to restrict public access. The owners have been arguing for decades with other local residents, the county and the Coastal Commission over the issue.
In December, the Coastal Commission fined property owners more than $5 million for trying to block the driveway with makeshift materials such as netting, cones and medians.
“It sends a broader message that the coast is accessible to a privileged few, either those with good resources or those without mobility issues,” said Santa County Supervisor Zach Friend. Cruz.
With an uneven sidewalk, trash cans blocking the path and cars parked against the sidewalk, Friend, who represents the city of Aptos, said the beach walkway “is constantly obstructed by homeowners.”
The county vigorously fought back against the property owners and said it considered the path behind the homes a “public easement” that “the public will have the right to use as a pedestrian crossing.”
In response, angry homeowners said they were the ones who built the seawall and trail to protect their beach houses.
The general struggle between homeowners and beachgoers dates back to the 1980s, when severe storms damaged a retaining wall between coastal homes and Seacliff State Beach and led to the creation of the Rio Del Mar Beach Island Homeowners Association.
In 2018, a group of homeowners decided to file a lawsuit to try to resolve the decade-long debate, but the county fought back and instead tore down the barrier installed at the time.
In response to the newly constructed fence, the association said KSBW: “The so-called County Parkway, as Coastal Commission staff erroneously described the private decks in front of each home, was determined by the Santa Cruz County Superior Court in late 2022 to be private property and the Court also allowed the homeowners association to erect the temporary fence pending any appeal.
“The Court reviewed 90 years of records, extensive historical evidence, and the County’s decades of disinterest in making public improvements due to uncertainty over title to the area, while the Commission clearly did not review or ignored most of these critical facts.”
Barry Scott (left), an Aptos resident who advocates against the fence, alongside Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend (right)
As the feud continues, the beachfront owners have clashed with other residents, the Coastal Commission and Santa Cruz County in court and on social media. (Pictured: a collage of photos showing the progress of the construction of the fence)
As the feud continues, the beachfront owners have clashed with other residents, the Coastal Commission and Santa Cruz County in court and on social media.
Vivan Neasham, who lives year-round along Beach Drive in a house built by her husband, said Santa Cruz Lookout that she would accept public access to the walkway as long as skateboards, e-bikes and extended outings were restricted.
Another resident, Vaudagna, told the San Francisco Chronicle that before the fence, she was often interrupted by “a thousand people a day” along the path.
Vaudagna recalled a case in 2018 where an elderly homeowner was beaten by a group of teenagers after asking them to leave his patio.
Since the green fence was erected, Vaudagna said she feels “safer” with fewer people accessing the walkway.
Greg Poncetta, the president of the homeowners association. told the San Francisco Chronicle that his house had already been burglarized before the fence was erected.
He expressed that he did not have a problem with the public being able to use a walkway, but would prefer it not to be shared with his garden.
‘It’s crazy. The reason we’re all here is because we all love the beach and love being able to spend time here,” Poncetta said.
Mike Maffei, who has lived in Aptos for 50 years, said he is angry with the commission.
The walkway “was constantly obstructed by homeowners” with an uneven sidewalk, trash cans blocking the path and cars parked against the sidewalk, officials said. (Pictured: cars parked against the sidewalk and a set of trash cans on the path)
It’s unclear what the next steps are in the ongoing fight for access to the gateway, but they are expected to be discussed at the Coastal Commission’s next meeting in Sacramento in March.
“Where is the Coastal Commission saying, ‘Hey, let’s defend this property?’ They have enough money to build it; they’ve made money, so why don’t they have enough money to build it? maintain,” Maffei said.
John Hopkins, another longtime Aptos resident, told KSBW, “I sympathize with the owners of the homes, but you can’t fence off a public area.”
Annalena Norman, another local resident, said she was concerned that the fence had imposed burdens on disabled people who already struggle to enjoy the beach.
“They had to open it up to people with disabilities and people with access to strollers. I don’t like it,” she said.
It’s unclear what the next steps will be in the ongoing fight for access to the gateway, but Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings said he’s hopeful the issue will be resolved soon.
“It was agreed that the homeowners association would provide coastal access,” Cummings, who also serves on the Coastal Commission, told KSBW.
“It’s just one of those things where we try to make sure everyone is compliant. The Coastal Commission has been informed of what happened and we hope to resolve the situation,” he added.
The next Coastal Commission meeting is scheduled to take place in Sacramento in March, where Cummings said the issue will be discussed.
