As someone who is passionate both personally and professionally about protecting the environment, I was very disappointed by the California Coastal Commission’s decision to deny The Edge of U2 and four other property owners permits to build five of the most environmentally responsible homes that I’ve ever seen. The Coastal Commission missed a critical opportunity to show the world how smart thinking can combine with a deep-seated respect of the environment to create home designs that clearly and authentically respect the natural habitat of Sweetwater Mesa.
I am fairly certain the environmentally extraordinary protective measures that were offered to the Coastal Commission by the owners of the five legally buildable lots, sets a high water mark, rarely if ever witnessed in this country, let alone California.
These proposed homes, which were denied by the Coastal Commission, would occupy less than 1 percent of the total acreage of all five properties.
Any misguided attempt by the Commission to reduce the number of homes from five to some lesser number would not alter the basic facts; access and utilities need to be brought to the site in a responsible manner, just as proposed.
I believe it is our generation’s responsibility to preserve and improve our natural resources and it’s clear that the Sweetwater Mesa property owners share that belief. We should be encouraging this type of sustainable development, not punishing it.
Tom Schey