More Revolting Developments

* With the passing of Measure A in Laguna Beach, a 275-room luxury resort and custom home area in Treasure Island will be developed for the rich to enjoy (April 28).

Down Coast Highway a few miles, Crystal Cove State Park continues to fight for its life. This spectacular stretch of coastline and marine reserve is for the public’s use and should remain that way.

Being a California native, I have witnessed one high-rise development after another pop up along the coast. Crystal Cove is one of the few untouched areas along the beach left open to the public. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy several school field trips and family jaunts to this special piece of paradise.

It is imperative that we fight to keep the state-owned parcels of coastline available for all to appreciate. We must preserve Crystal Cove for future generations to view.

Funding for these public treasures should become a critical necessity. They should not be developed to make money for the private sector or the state.

Once California’s beautiful, untouched, coastal domains are taken away, they will not be given back.

HOLLY SOCCI

San Juan Capistrano

* Your April 23 article “Turning the Tide” is a cautionary reminder to us all of the need for protection of the fragile ecosystem along our coast.

The tide pools at Treasure Island in Laguna Beach are ranked one of the highest in California, yet the property is in danger of overdevelopment by Merrill Lynch Hubbard.

Their plan puts a large hotel, restaurants, a spa, conference facilities as well as luxury homes and condos--euphemistically called a “resort community”--on the property.

As cities along the coast vie for tourist dollars by building “mega-resorts,” our tide pools and oceans will suffer through overuse.

Shortsighted interest in profit sacrifices critical coastal resources. Let’s employ good land-use planning that limits the intensity of development along the coast and protects our tide pools and ocean habitats.

CHARLETON BOYD

Laguna Beach