California homeowners on the coast near the Bay Area are building chain-link fences to prevent public access to their beaches, ignoring a $4.7 million fine from authorities ordering residents to clear the way. was installed.
The illegal barricade was erected by the Rio Del Mar Beach Island Homeowners Association in Aptos, a wealthy community located about 60 miles south of San Jose.
This will prevent access to the 7m wide building at the back of the multi-million dollar Beach Drive condominiums along the 400m long beach. According to SF Gate.
The HOA has filed a lawsuit against the government agency responsible for protecting beach access, arguing that the sidewalk is private property and condo owners are legally allowed to install fencing. There is.
An Aptos waterfront home was listed on real estate site Zillow as a five-bedroom home for as much as $13 million.
Another five-bedroom home overlooking the ocean in Aptos was listed on Zillow for $9 million.
“I don’t think there’s a need for people to walk behind people’s private property,” one condo owner whose property overlooks the sidewalk told SFGATE.
“I don’t like walking on sand. It’s not my preference. Yes, the sidewalk in front of the house is rough. I’m not sure about wheelchair access. Let’s put a wheelchair there. I have never done so.
“My opinion is that it’s a privacy issue for them,” the owner said.
Condominium owners in the area tried several times to block access to the sidewalk, only for Santa Cruz County officials to tear it down.
“Whether it’s trash cans blocking sidewalks in front of homes on Beach Drive or newly erected fences blocking sidewalks along the waterfront, a great deal of time, effort, and money is expended to prevent safe public access to beaches. It certainly looks like the area is being improved.”Rio Del Mar Supervisor Zach Friend he told SiliconValley.com last week.
The HOA told the California Coastal Commission that it was “in direct violation of a 2022 ruling by a Superior Court judge that public easements are not granted over privately constructed and fully permitted patios.” The lawsuit accuses the department of “applying its enforcement powers.” Beach islands do exist. ”
The Post has reached out to the CCC and HOA for comment.
