IN A 6-4 VOTE, CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION MEMBERS VOTED NOT TO APPROVE A CHANGE IN the SANTA CRUZ LOCAL COASTAL PLAN. THAT MEANS THE END OF the CURRENT PLAN TO TEAR DOWN THE LA BAHIA, AND REPLACE IT WITH A 5-AND-A-HALF STORY, 125-ROOM CONDO-HOTEL. THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS SAID THEY VOTED AGAINST GIVING THE ZONING VARIANCE, BECAUSE THEY FELT THAT IT WOULD SET A BAD PRECEDENT FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE COAST, AND THAT the RESULTING CONDO-HOTEL WOULD BE “OUT OF CHARACTER” WITH THE AREA.
MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION ALSO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY’S ORDINANCE REGARDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES.
