The California Coastal Commission delivered the bureaucratic equivalent of a body slam to the Rosewood Miramar Beach for illegally blocking public beach access in front of the luxury resort.
In a strongly worded 10-page letter sent to Miramar Managing Director Seán Carney, Commission Enforcement Officer Tina Segura demanded the resort discontinue the use of security guards and ropes and stanchions that function to “discourage and restrict” public access along the waterfront. She cited site visits by Commission staff that confirmed complaints to the agency from Montecito residents. Her letter also referenced news reports as well as statements from Carney published by the Santa Barbara Independent.
“The use of security guards on the beach effectively privatizes beach areas where the public has the right to be,” Segura wrote. “Further, ropes and posts have been placed on the beach and have remained on the beach on a consistent basis, which give the appearance that the entire beach is private. Public access is protected under the Coastal Act, and protecting such access is a high priority of the Commission.”