July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Vineyard Owners Protest Modifications To Zoning Plan In Santa Monica Mountains:

The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Tuesday to approve modifications to a zoning plan aimed at protecting the Santa Monica Mountains, drawing praise from environmentalists and equestrians but protests from vineyard owners.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who championed the plan, urged his colleagues to act, saying the Local Coastal Program is “designed to protect one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in all of California … it’s a remarkable place.”

Seventy-odd modifications were proposed to the plan by the Coastal Commission after public hearings in April and July. Most of the changes focused on equestrian uses, according to a county planner, and the commission unanimously approved the plan as modified.

Though horse owners and trail riders are now satisfied, vineyard owners contend the plan is unfair.

The LCP allows existing vineyards to remain in the mountains, but prohibits permits for expansions or new vineyards.

“I feel that grapevines are being discriminated against,” said grower David Gomez, who noted that other agricultural uses are not banned under the LCP.

Gomez’s wife Ruth said she was worried about how the plan would affect the couple’s plans for retirement.

Yaroslavsky countered that “nobody’s ripping out anyone’s vineyard,” adding that environmentalists weren’t worried about boutique vineyards, but rather larger operations that would rip out chaparral and destroy ridgeline views.

If vineyards are operating without a permit, they would be forced out under the LCP, but the same would be true under current Coastal Commission rules. The Coastal Commission has not issued a permit for a new vineyard in the last five years, according to Yaroslavsky.

Growers said grapevines use less water than other crops and traditional landscaping. However, some of their neighbors said vineyards were endangering local water sources and wine growers were using chemical pesticides that damage native habitat.

Leah Culberg said one vineyard owner had dammed up a creek, causing Culberg’s own well to drop more than 100 feet in one year, while another dug a 2,000-foot well to service vines.

“That’s like putting a pair of straws down to the bottom of our canyon to suck everything out,” Culberg said.

Dozens of environmentalists offered their support for the plan to ban ridgeline development, protect oak groves and local wildlife.

Several local politicians did, as well, including Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, and both candidates for Yaroslavsky’s seat — former Santa Monica mayor Bobby Shriver and ex-Sen. Sheila Kuehl.

Elliott Dolin, who has 900 vines on a three-quarter acre site, urged the board to regulate and monitor new vineyards rather than prohibiting them altogether.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich said the LCP would deny some residents their property rights and cost the county millions of dollars in fighting legal challenges.

“If an individual wants to plant a vineyard on their property, that’s a decision that they should be able to (make),” Antonovich said. Existing vineyards provide tens of thousands of dollars of revenue and hundreds of jobs, he said.

Antonovich proposed that vineyards be permitted, drawing a second from Supervisor Don Knabe, but that motion failed on a 2-2 vote. Three votes are required for passage. Yaroslavsky and Supervisor Gloria Molina dissented and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas did not attend today’s meeting.

Antonovich dissented when the LCP itself went to a vote.

The plan, which still needs an administrative sign-off from the Coastal Commission’s executive director, will allow the county to directly issue and use permits in an area covering about 80 square miles in the Santa Monica Mountains.

As it currently stands, applicants must follow a two-step process, seeking approval from the county and the Coastal Commission.

At least one lawsuit has already been filed against the Local Coastal Program, according to Yaroslavsky.

in News
<>Related Posts

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...