Latest news with #CaliforniaCoastalAct
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Paul Hasting Adds Preeminent 5-Partner Real Estate Team in Los Angeles
In a move that brings together one of the most highly regarded land use teams in California and Paul Hastings' elite real estate group, the firm announced the addition of partners DJ Moore, Beth Gordie, Winston Stromberg, Benjamin Hanelin and Lauren Paull in Los Angeles. The team joins from Latham & Watkins, uniting two top-ranked Chambers practices. The group has extensive experience advising landowners, developers, project sponsors, institutions and utilities throughout California on securing the full range of local, regional, state and federal approvals necessary to permit and construct development and infrastructure projects, as well as compliance with all associated environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, California Coastal Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many others. 'The real estate sector and California continue to be strategic priorities for the firm, and the team brings an extensive track record of success in high-stakes real estate matters across the state,' said Paul Hastings chair Frank Lopez. 'They are another fantastic addition to our preeminent real estate platform, further strengthening our ability to provide our clients with premier support on their most complex matters involving real estate zoning and environmental matters and more broadly.' Moore's practice focuses on helping clients obtain and defend land use entitlement and environmental approvals from government agencies for major infrastructure, energy and development projects. Gordie focuses on advising landowners and developers through all stages of the entitlement and development process, providing counsel to clients on local planning and zoning regulations, complex regulatory frameworks, government approvals and related environmental matters. Stromberg advises major energy, infrastructure and real estate project developers on land use entitlements, environmental approvals and administrative hearings with a principal focus on litigation arising out of such processes. A former judicial clerk in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California, Hanelin has worked on some of the largest development projects in Southern California over the last 20 years. With a focus on major infrastructure projects, logistics facilities, data centers, film and television developments and California Environmental Quality Act litigation, he guides developers and institutions on state, federal and local planning and zoning regulations and defends any litigation that follows. Paull advises landowners and developers through all stages of the entitlement and development process, counseling clients on planning and zoning regulations, approvals and related environmental matters. 'Paul Hastings' real estate practice has had undeniable momentum and has differentiated itself as a premier, full-service offering at the top of the market,' said Moore. 'We're incredibly excited to continue our work together at Paul Hastings while offering our clients unparalleled service to meet all of their needs with some of the most impressive talent in the industry.' Information sourced from Paul Hastings. For more information, contact christophersumano@
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hotel Laguna Faces Daily $11k Fine for Beach Privatization
Laguna Beach has some of the most coveted beaches in the entire state, often topping listicles of California's 'best' and leading to heavy crowds. And right, smackdab in the middle of town, at perhaps the enclave's most visited strand, Main Beach, a hotel is under fire for an attempt at privatization. Per reports and videos from citizen activists, the iconic Hotel Laguna has constructed a sand berm, signifying exclusivity for their patrons, posted signage reading 'Laguna Beach Club,' and shooed away anyone who isn't staying at the hotel. All of this is a violation of the California Coastal Act, which ensures public access to beaches at the high tide line. And so, a beach battle has ensued. If the issue isn't resolved by May 23rd, the California Coastal Commission can fine the hotel $11,250 per to the regulations regarding public access to beaches, Laguna Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said: 'Everybody should know that from the mean high tide line – which can change when the sand changes – to the water, is for the public. And you're not to impair access to the public to get to that line, even if you think that your private property goes underneath sand. I think that's the way the Coastal Commission looks at it, and that's the way we look at it too.' Meanwhile, TikTok justice warriors are taking matters into their own hands, poking the bear, and testing the 'beach colonizers' of Hotel Laguna. One such citizen activist – see above – has repeatedly shown the situation at Hotel Laguna, breaching the berm, and when asked to leave, demanded to speak with the manager. The drama…just in time for summer.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Shame on you': Upscale California hotel faces daily $11K fine for privatizing beach
A historic oceanfront hotel in Laguna Beach is under fire for setting up a private area for its guests. In violation of a California law ensuring public beach access, the upscale property faces a fine of up to $11,250 per day, according to the state. Hotel Laguna claims to be first hotel located on the famous Orange County beach, set along the Pacific Coast Highway, for over 125 years, according to its website. It also has a several years-long history of breaking the law set by the California Coastal Act, which manages conservation and the development of coastal resources while also providing "maximum public access to the coast," according to the California Coastal Commission. Most recently, the hotel has built a "berm" on the sand outside of its property line with umbrellas, beach chairs and signage, according to a letter shared with USA TODAY that was sent to the property by the commission last week. Such unpermitted developments "unlawfully discourage public access to public trust lands" by giving the impression that the beach is private, the letter continued. While private ownership on the shoreline is legal, the state owns all beaches "waterward of the mean high tide line." Feuds over ensuring access to public beaches are nothing new to California, with various battles hitting the sands of California's coast from San Diego to Malibu to Half Moon Bay. California's beaches are publicly owned on the water side of the high tide line. However, many communities have made it hard over the years for people to reach the coastline. On social media, people have posted TikToks of the hotel's employees allegedly threatening them if they don't leave. Others have left scathing comments on the hotel's Instagram posts, saying, "shame on you" and that it's "stealing" the beach. The government agency is requesting the hotel promptly remove these unpermitted developments but, due to a history of similar violations, is also considering "formal enforcement." In 2024, the commission received reports that people walking along the water's edge were being told they were trespassing private property, when it's lawfully state land. The hotel had also set up a barrier for a volleyball net, poles and other "other equipment that discourages public access." The hotel has until May 23 to provide photographic evidence that the berm and other beach equipment have been removed. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Upscale Laguna Beach hotel under fire for violating coastal access law
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Shame on you': Upscale California hotel faces daily $11K fine for privatizing beach
A historic oceanfront hotel in Laguna Beach is under fire for setting up a private area for its guests. In violation of a California law ensuring public beach access, the upscale property faces a fine of up to $11,250 per day, according to the state. Hotel Laguna claims to be first hotel located on the famous Orange County beach, set along the Pacific Coast Highway, for over 125 years, according to its website. It also has a several years-long history of breaking the law set by the California Coastal Act, which manages conservation and the development of coastal resources while also providing "maximum public access to the coast," according to the California Coastal Commission. Most recently, the hotel has built a "berm" on the sand outside of its property line with umbrellas, beach chairs and signage, according to a letter shared with USA TODAY that was sent to the property by the commission last week. Such unpermitted developments "unlawfully discourage public access to public trust lands" by giving the impression that the beach is private, the letter continued. While private ownership on the shoreline is legal, the state owns all beaches "waterward of the mean high tide line." Feuds over ensuring access to public beaches are nothing new to California, with various battles hitting the sands of California's coast from San Diego to Malibu to Half Moon Bay. California's beaches are publicly owned on the water side of the high tide line. However, many communities have made it hard over the years for people to reach the coastline. On social media, people have posted TikToks of the hotel's employees allegedly threatening them if they don't leave. Others have left scathing comments on the hotel's Instagram posts, saying, "shame on you" and that it's "stealing" the beach. The government agency is requesting the hotel promptly remove these unpermitted developments but, due to a history of similar violations, is also considering "formal enforcement." In 2024, the commission received reports that people walking along the water's edge were being told they were trespassing private property, when it's lawfully state land. The hotel had also set up a barrier for a volleyball net, poles and other "other equipment that discourages public access." The hotel has until May 23 to provide photographic evidence that the berm and other beach equipment have been removed. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Upscale Laguna Beach hotel under fire for violating coastal access law
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Upscale California hotel faces daily $11k fine for privatizing beach
A historic oceanfront hotel in Laguna Beach is under fire for setting up a private area for its guests. In violation of a California law ensuring public beach access, the upscale property faces a fine of up to $11,250 per day, according to the state. Hotel Laguna claims to be first hotel located on the famous Orange County beach, set along the Pacific Coast Highway, for over 125 years, according to its website. It also has a several years-long history of breaking the law set by the California Coastal Act, which manages conservation and the development of coastal resources while also providing "maximum public access to the coast," according to the California Coastal Commission. Most recently, the hotel has built "berm" on the sand outside of its property line with umbrellas, beach chairs and signage, according to a letter shared with USA TODAY that was sent to the property by the commission last week. Such unpermitted developments "unlawfully discourage public access to public trust lands" by giving the impression that the beach is private, the letter continued. While private ownership on the shoreline is legal, the state owns all beaches "waterward of the mean high tide line." Feuds over ensuring access to public beaches are nothing new to California, with various battles hitting the sands of California's coast from San Diego to Malibu to Half Moon Bay. California's beaches are publicly owned on the water side of the high tide line. However, many communities have made it hard over the years for people to reach the coastline. On social media, people have posted TikToks of the hotel's employees allegedly threatening them if they don't leave. Others have left scathing comments on the hotel's Instagram posts, saying, "shame on you" and that it's "stealing" the beach. The government agency is requesting the hotel promptly remove these unpermitted developments but, due to a history of similar violations, is also considering "formal enforcement." In 2024, the commission received reports that people walking along the water's edge were being told they were trespassing private property, when it's lawfully state land. The hotel had also set up a barrier for a volleyball net, poles and other "other equipment that discourages public access." The hotel has until May 23 to provide photographic evidence that the berm and other beach equipment have been removed. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Upscale Laguna Beach hotel violates California law, blasted online
