Greenbelt Penalty

I was reading the hilarious story about the homeowner who ignored several stop-work orders from the California Coastal Commission (May 11), went ahead with the construction of his 6,000-square-foot house and get this--it gets funnier and funnier; then a preservation agency gave him $50,000 to help him pay $165,000 for 2.3-square acres of permanent greenbelt that will enhance his house. This fine citizen has “promised not to build on it.” Under these terms he won’t be penalized!

This is a penalty? Anyone who can afford to spend at the very least $600,000 on construction costs and then receive more than 30% towards the purchase of 2.3 acres of greenbelt that will only improve his property--well, this man is a genius. He has been given a reward for ignoring the commission’s stop orders. The punch line: “This sends a message out to people who violate the Coastal Act, that they have to play by the same rules as everybody else.” What rubbish!

ANDREAS G. KOSTELAS

San Pedro