Aptos beach access controversy
UPDATE 12/03/18 7:26 p.m.The controversial fence on Beach Drive in Aptos is now open to the public for coastal access.
The green fence is usually closed and locked, blocking beach goers from using that entrance to the walkway leading to Rio Del Mar Beach; but county officials say it’s actually public county owned land and is for everyone to use.
“The county has owned it since the late 1920’s and has never given up the acceptance of that. Overtime there have been some encroachments into that by some of these private homeowners, in fact they’ve applied for encroachment permit from the county acknowledging that we own it, but also over time they’ve dealt fences and walls and prevented public access,” says supervisor Zach Friend.
Just days after the county put up coastal access signs, someone took them down and proceeded to shut the gate, but the county says it’s not trespassing to go through because it is not private property.
Residents we spoke with say they were under the impression it was private property; “i’ve been walking up and down this corridor for years and I had no idea it was public domain,” says Alex Fowler.
Roberta Hill and Shaun were under the same impression, “I always assumed it was private property because it was so close to the homes. Every time we walk by here we just think it’s private property. So this is news to us.”
The county will be meeting with the coast commission on Tuesday to further discuss options.
People living in the buildings along the walkway tell me they are concerned for their safety and privacy.
Supervisor Friend says there’s other benefits to having that part of the walkway open too, like safety, “wheelchairs, people with strollers or mobility access issues can’t access this area, we need to get this area reopened and we are determined to do it soon.”
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The controversial fence on Beach Drive in Aptos is now open to the public for coastal access.
The green fence is usually closed and locked, blocking beach goers from using that entrance. But county officials say it’s actually public county owned land and is for everyone to use.
Just days after the county put up coastal access signs, someone took them down and proceeded to shut the gate, but the county says it’s not trespassing to go through because it is not private property.
The county will be meeting with the coast commission on Tuesday to further discuss options.
Residents we spoke with say they were under the impression it was private property.
People living in the buildings along the walkway tell me they are concerned for their safety and privacy.
KION’S Ashley Keehn will have more at 5 p.m and 6 p.m.
