Development Threat

More Mesa faces a substantial threat of development that could seriously harm existing ecological, scenic and recreation values. County Plans, adopted in 1993, currently restrict building to 70 large homes on the main Mesa’s northeast 40 acres. The remaining 260 acres is designated as environmentally sensitive habitat (ESH), inhibiting development of these areas. However, even development of 70 new large homes on 40 acres could harm the white tailed kite’s main winter roosting site, disrupt the major public coastal access trail, forever scar the Mesa’s current scenic vistas and harm the fragile beach through increased visitation. Although no development is currently pending, the owner of 265 acres of the Mesa strongly opposes protection of the extensive habitat on-site and has expressed interest in erecting many more homes than are currently permitted. A hotel and golf course have even been suggested in the past. Such a development would create even more extensive environmental disruption.

In 2007, the owner of More Mesa requested that an Updated Biological Resources Study be performed to assess the possibilities for rezoning More Mesa for higher density development. More information on this study, and implications for various findings may be found in the Biological Study and News Sections of this site..