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# PCH project at an impasse
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/pch-project-at-an-impasse-editor/
- Published: 2006-04-17T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:37:48.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Jonathan Ornstein*

I live on PCH not far from where the proposed beach facility is planned to be developed.

Over the last few years I have witnessed numerous serious traffic accidents including fatalities. There were three fires in the Palisades Bluffs directly across from my home started by “campers,” according to the fire department. There was a violent assault in my home in front of my children by a deranged homeless person.

I’m also aware of numerous instances of theft, property destruction and other illegal acts perpetrated by homeless people in the area, including public defecation and urination, alcohol and drug consumption, aggressive panhandling and camping on public land.

For these reasons many of us who live on PCH are very concerned about the development of 415 and have asked City Hall to put an enforceable agreement in place that codifies the conditions under which the property will be operated and to which they have already agreed to with our homeowners’ association.

These are reasonable conditions including security for the site, fencing around the pool, adequate staffing levels, abiding by the requirements of Proposition S in regards to food service facilities, noise level requirements and, probably most importantly, the necessity of a light on the PCH to safeguard the public.

In the past, when the property was going to be developed privately, a light on the PCH was a condition required by City Hall in order for the project to go forward.

The wisdom and necessity of a light has not changed because the project is now public, and City Hall should hold itself to the same standard of safety. The EIR report both then and now talk of the serious traffic situation on PCH and clearly state the impact of additional traffic can not be mitigated.

To move forward without a light and put people at serious risk is irresponsible and dangerous. In addition, the requirement of an agreement is not unusual. LAX, for example, entered into the same type of agreement with its neighbors.

The agreement will ensure that City Hall maintains the facility at the level it has promised without regard to potential revenue shortfalls or budget cuts. In fact, in one of our meetings with the City Manager, a representative from one of the beach clubs stated the revenue projections were highly optimistic and unobtainable.

You can hopefully understand our sincere concern that faced with a revenue shortfall, 415 PCH’s budget will be reduced and important aspects of the facility like staffing and security will suffer, which could ultimately result in an underutilized and rundown white elephant.

Please do not confuse the homeowners like myself for our more “liberal” neighbors to the north in Malibu. We have not spent millions to block public access and have in fact chosen to live on a truly public beach.

What we are asking for from City Hall is nothing more than a formal agreement that will protect all of the people of Santa Monica.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 17, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041706.pdf?ref=smdp.com)