A Luxury California Hotel Faces Daily Fines Over $11,000 for Privatizing Public Beach Near Resort
Hotel Laguna was accused of blocking public beach access without the required coastal development permit
California Coastal Commission ordered the hotel to remove unauthorized sand berms and warning signs
The hotel faces a $11,250 daily fine if the barricades and signage aren't removed by May 23A popular California hotel is getting reprimanded by state officials for setting up barricades around a beachfront for its guests.
According to a letter obtained by PEOPLE, from the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach, Calif., the violation is described as 'construction of a sand berm and installation of signage within the coastal zone without a requisite coastal development permit,' or CDP.
In the letter that was issued on May 8, the CCC outlines that the 'berms,' or raised strips of land, violate the 1976 Coastal Act, which the commission is powered to enforce. The legislation was enacted as a means to protect the 1,000-mile California coastline in an effort to 'manage conservation and development of coastal resources.'
By cutting off a section of the public beach, the hotel is hindering the CCC from its duty of providing 'maximum public access to the coast,' the letter says.
The CCC has requested that the hotel remove the berms and signage that 'unlawfully discourage public access to public trust lands seaward and down coast' that have not been authorized by an approved CDP.
PEOPLE reached out to Hotel Laguna and did not receive an immediate response.
This is also apparently not the first time Hotel Laguna has received a warning for violating property laws to keep out public visitors.
According to the alleged past violations and discussions of resolutions outlined in the latest letter, Hotel Laguna has been notified on three separate occasions by the CCC enforcement staff.
Allegedly, each of those violations has been responded to via written communication or an in-person discussion with the hotel's owner Michael Kluchin, and the hotel's counsel, Sherman Stacey, agreeing not to put up obstructions to the public.
Following an alleged meeting on Nov. 21, 2024, between the Commission and Kluchin and Stacey, the CCC provided an example of the signage that was permitted by Hotel Laguna. However, as stated in the letter provided, the current signage 'does not resemble or have the intended effect of the example provided by Commission enforcement staff.'
The Commission also alleges that its staff hasn't received a CDP application for the current signage or sand berm being used.
As outlined in the notice, Hotel Laguna has until May 23 to provide photographic evidence that the signage and berms have been removed, or it will have a daily fine amounting to $11,250.
According to its website, Hotel Laguna claims to be the first hotel in over 125 years to be located on the famous Orange County beach along the Pacific Coast Highway.
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