A lavish length of the beach with tranquil waters with guest parking and plenty of amenities have been enjoyed by tourists who came to stay at Campland and Mission Bay RV Resort. However, the beach was supposed to belong to the public.
From 1967 onward, resorts located in the northeastern part of Mission Bay have been offering public tidelands to profits, in violation of their agreement to the City of San Diego, which neglected to stop them, a report said.
This week, the state coastal commission imposed a fine on the operators of these resorts—Michael and Jacob Gelfand in a settlement agreement that will offer free camping to youth who are underserved and new amenities for the general public.
For many, the conditions of $50,000 per year for five years, which equates to $250,000 for the camping program, as well as an amount of $250,000 in fines – were insufficient to deal with the offense.
The agreement also includes fencing removal and public electric vehicle charging stations, updated signs, and restrooms for public use. The operators will promote the program throughout San Diego for those who may not know the program. They will also provide funds for group transportation and camping equipment.
Mission Bay, the largest artificially-created aquatic park in the United States, was developed from public tidelands. Once held as a trust by the government, they’re now in the hands of the City of San Diego, which leases the land for public use.
The coastal commissioners stated that the infractions pose the biggest threat to environmental justice, as they affect those who have the lowest income to stay at the resorts.
Campland has amenities that a typical campground doesn’t (a swimming pool). However, it is two times the cost of the state parks nearby. The same goes for Mission Bay RV Resort.