Imperial Valley Press

Judge won’t approve Hollister Ranch coastal access deal

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — A judge has refused to approve an agreement between coastal officials and the owners of a stretch of Southern California coastline that would allow very limited access to beaches.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Colleen Sterne ruled last week that the public’s interest was not fully represente­d in the agreement over access to the 22-square mile (57-square-kilometer) Hollister Ranch, where wealthy homeowners live on houses on a limited number of large lots with stunning ocean views, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The settlement was signed last year by the California State Coastal Conservanc­y and the state Coastal Commission on one side and the Hollister Ranch Owners Associatio­n on the other.

It would limit access to those who could boat or paddle 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to reach it, to visitors with guides, the ranch’s landowners and their guests.

The ruling does not reject the settlement, but establishe­s a path for opponents to have it thrown out. Next steps could include a lawsuit against the state for failing to include a public process prior to making this deal with Hollister.

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