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.

Yet more worrisome, the same owner has pending litigation against the County for rezoning More Mesa. Should this litigation prevail, up to 300 homes could be constructed. A development of this magnitude would likely destroy many of More Mesa’s resources. Although the Courts have thus far supported the County on procedural grounds, the threat of renewed litigation is cause for grave concern.