The development plan for Forge Lodge requires an exemption from the legally required setback from Solstice Creek. Granting this exemption would severely conflict with fire protection for the property. A “defensible perimeter” for the structures would include a significant portion of the stream channel. During the wildfire up the coast a few years ago, many riparian corridors acted as fire corridors and the stream channels burned all the way down to PCH. If the Forge Lodge is constructed, every time a wildfire approaches the stream channel adjacent to the structures will need to be quickly cleared by bulldozers, causing great damage to the precious steelhead habitat that the creek provides. This conflict was entirely preventable. If the Forge Lodge proposal was scaled back, it could comply with both stream setback and fire defense regulations, but for whatever reason the planners didn’t choose to go that route.
Matt Horns