Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
California
Related: About this forumTwo Malibu property owners fined $5.1 million for blocking access to public beach
A beachgoer walks along Carbon Beach in Malibu, also known as "Billionaires' Beach." The Malibu Beach Inn is seen in the left background. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)A gate on the Lent property blocks public access to the beach in Malibu. (californiacoastline.org)Commissioners described the Lent case as very egregious and a flagrant violation of state law because the couple had long refused a commission request to remove an unauthorized gate, fence, stairway and deck that blocked an easement required by a coastal development permit issued to a previous owner. The fine was far more than the $950,000 recommended by the agencys staff.In one of those decisions, the commission had battled for nine years with Dr. Warren M. Lent and his wife, Henny, before unanimously approving Thursdays cease-and-desist order for the couple and fining them about $4.2 million for diverting a public easement to private use at an expensive oceanfront rental they own at Las Flores Beach.
Commissioners described the Lent case as very egregious and a flagrant violation of state law because the couple had long refused a commission request to remove an unauthorized gate, fence, stairway and deck that blocked an easement required by a coastal development permit issued to a previous owner. The fine was far more than the $950,000 recommended by the agencys staff.
Commission officials said the couple made money at the publics expense by, in effect, converting the easement to private use. For years, the couple rented the house out to vacationers for about $1,000 a night and advertised on real estate websites that the romantic, gorgeous property has access to a private beach.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-headlines-coastal-fines-20161208-story.html
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
7 replies, 2892 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (7)
ReplyReply to this post
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Two Malibu property owners fined $5.1 million for blocking access to public beach (Original Post)
SunSeeker
Dec 2016
OP
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)1. Pay up motherfuckers!
SunSeeker
(51,698 posts)2. Yep. So proud of my state that these grifters didn't get away with that shit.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)3. I think when I retire I'm moving to CA!
SunSeeker
(51,698 posts)4. You may have to. It may be the only livable state in 4 years.
I'll leave the light on for you.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)5. How sweet! Thanks!
petronius
(26,603 posts)6. I hope they're really made to pay it - I'd add a 100% surcharge
for an 'egregious bullshit' foul as well:
According to the case, the Lents spent nine years arguing against the removal of the obstructions, saying they never installed them and never desired to keep the public out.
We were not trying to block the easement, but trying in good faith to resolve the situation, Lent, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, told the commission.
We were not trying to block the easement, but trying in good faith to resolve the situation, Lent, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, told the commission.
I'm not an expert, but it seems that, perhaps, just maybe, REMOVING THE GATE would be a pretty obvious way to make a good faith effort...
SunSeeker
(51,698 posts)7. Indeed. The Lents are greedy scum.
They thought they were above the law and could literally steal a public beach.