Threat of Development of Rim Rock Canyon

              Formidable forces are gathering for developing the Rim Rock Canyon area. Over the years, the large, central parcel in this area has been known as the Juarez property. This property has recently changed hands as have multiple surrounding parcels—creating, at present, a mass of ten, soon to be eleven, co-joined parcels totaling more than twelve acres. It is possible that still more properties may be added in future.

Two of these Rim Rock Canyon parcels contain existing houses located on Temple Hills Drive while the remaining nine of the parcels currently have no street access (access to legal vehicular rights of way) and so are not legal building sites; however, multiple efforts are currently underway to newly create the access necessary to open the entire acreage to development.

Developing this Rim Rock Canyon area will have major safety and aesthetic impacts on both the Temple Hills and Bluebird Canyon neighborhoods as well as on parts of the Top of the World neighborhood. Much of Rim Rock Canyon’s south-facing hillside is extremely steep with some history of soil slumps on its lower boundaries and is crossed by several faults, with the Juarez property (approximately half the acreage) characterized by an ancient land slide that appears on City maps. In addition, the area is in an extremely high fire hazard severity zone.

The mass of the developable area being created will result in a significant increase in traffic, potentially spilling onto very narrow, substandard streets, increasing traffic issues and the difficulties of emergency access to and from Temple Hills and Bluebird Canyon homes.

Existing neighborhood views of the ocean and hillsides will inevitably be negatively impacted by new development.  In addition, the Juarez parcel is crossed by a public walking path leading to one of the best overlooks in Laguna, precious to residents who walk the path.  Also lost will be animal habitats, Coastal Sage resources, and the darkened night sky.

We all need to be paying attention to this anticipated development of Rim Rock Canyon and be prepared to turn out and let our voices be heard if and when official proposals are presented to the City.  For now, spread the word to your friends and neighbors about potential plans to develop the Rim Rock Canyon area. Let our City Council members know that you are concerned about the dangers of development in this Canyon and that you oppose creating new  building sites there.

Becky Jones

Fifty Years of Temple Hills Conservation

On May 22 we will celebrate a half century of building community togetherness. In early 1973 we opposed a 36-home development on the steep slopes of the south side of Park Canyon. The Planning Commission had voted in favor, but the City Council supported us with a 5-0 vote against the project, and we came together to form the Temple Hills Community Association (THCA). In 1965 more than a hundred of us put together a Temple Hills Specific Plan that was presented to various Councils and mostly implemented in parts over the years. It included 10 detailed maps on Topography, Constraints (fault lines, landslide, flood plain), Geology and Soils, Hydrology, Bicycle-Pedestrian Paths, Slope Analysis, Street System, Utilities, Vegetation and Wildlife, Views and Edges.

Our conservation of open space not only is related to impact on community and togetherness, but also view and especially geological constraints, given the landslides and destruction and damage to homes over the years on Cerritos, Donna Drive, and Buena Vista.

Now we face the threat to Rim Rock Canyon by a developer who has purchased 11 parcels we believe have been secured over the years as open space. Rim Rock Canyon is “the gem” of the Laguna Beach Inner Greenbelt. Our community, indeed all Laguna Beach, is now learning of the threat of its development.  In her story herein Becky Jones elaborates on this. Community leaders have joined in our concern. We need to spread the word of this threat, share with neighbors, and, in my view, not only oppose development but through the city find the means to buy these lands and maintain them forever as open space.

Over the years THCA became known not only for its newsletter, printed monthly, then quarterly, and now less frequently, but also for its annual social dinners held in resident homes, initially sit-down and the largest drawing 150 persons and 120 for dinner in celebration of our 40^th anniversary. The pandemic has impacted us the past several years, but next month we will celebrate a half century of activity with a virtual meeting. Please join us with your annual dues. Together we can continue to build our community.

Ron Chilcote

[Ron has been Coordinator of THCA since its origins.]