San Mateo residents sue a Silicon Valley tycoon for buying and closing off a public beach in violation of California Coastal Act.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that on Monday, Vinod Khosla, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who co-founded Sun Microsystems, had his first day in court following his purchase of Martins Beach in San Mateo County, California.
The beach, which has been open to the public for more than a century, is now gated off, and protected by armed security. The only way onto the beach is from the water.
"You can’t just go down and buy a beach from the city and county of San Mateo and close the beach down," Joe Cotchett, who represents the Surfrider Foundation, told the local CBS affiliate. "We hope that the court, after a trial, will order Mr. Khosla to follow the law and apply for a permit to close down the beach." Cochett, who represents the Surfrider foundation in filing the suit.
Plaintiffs claim Khosla’s disfiguration of a billboard on-site constitutes new development, requiring a permit that Khosla never applied for. During the hearing, Vinod remained "evasive and uncooperative.”
This raises new questions on how the acquisition of public lands by increasingly wealthy, insular owners affects the enclosure of public space and other recreational areas.
FULL STORY: Martins Beach billionaire evades questions on stand
Court Ruling for Beach-Blocking Billionaire Redeems Public Access
Vinod Khosla, the California billionaire who made news earlier this year for blocking access to a public beach, had his day in court.
The Inequities of Beach Access
Over 80% of Californians live within an hour’s drive of a beach, but that does not mean that everyone has easy access to beaches.
Long Beach Gated Community Must Provide Public Access
The development never fulfilled its mandate to build a public walkway through its property. Now, the Coastal Commission wants it to open its gates.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service