A recent public forum pitted a home development company against conservationists in the battle for West Coyote Hills.

In one corner – Pacific Coast Homes, a subsidiary owned by Chevron Land and Development Co., which wants to develop part of the area into a residential district. In the other corner – the Friends of Coyote Hills, a conservation group that is intent on keeping the land in its present state.

In 1977, under the "Greenbelt Concept," Pacific Coast Homes had the opportunity to build and develop a maximum of 1,138 homes on the site. The concept includes residential development under the West Coyote Hills Master Specific Plan 2A.

City officials met with officials of the home developing company in an attempt to move forward with any developmental plans. At the recent forum, the company proposed a land-use plan that would allow it to build a maximum of 760 dwelling units comprised of nine neighborhoods.

Out of 510 acres, approximately 340 acres would be set aside for open space. The plans include a perpetual endowment to maintain the property and a Robert Ward Nature Preserve.
Out of 340 acres, 280 would be considered habitat conservation areas.

Ray Young, associate dean of the Cal State Fullerton College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said he believes a proposal has to discuss all issues and offer a solution that warrants both economic and environmental gain.

"[The parties involved] are dealing with three different issues," said Young, the facilitator at the public forum. "The first is economic growth; the second is environmental protection; and the third is social equity. One tends to value open space, scenic views. But it costs money to provide that, too. All require a compromise."

Young offered logical arguments on both sides.

"From one perspective, [open space] is an antidote for urban living because you can look at the scenery instead of looking at the stucco on the side of a wall," Young said. "Conversely, Chevron Land and Development legally owns the property. No one can deprive a property owner of an economic return on their property."

Friends of Coyote Hills believe the space reserved for conservation use is not enough.
"It is fragmented open space," said Connie Spenger, the organization's president. "The space now is far too small to tolerate any building."

Annik Ramsey, member of Roots and Shoots – a global environment and humanitarian program club on campus – believes that Pacific Coast Homes' plan to leave some of the land would still create environmental concerns.

"They are leaving a little more land than originally planned," Ramsey said. "However, it is still not enough to sustain the ecosystem and some of the species."

Spenger said any development on the land would decrease the number of endangered species who inhabit the area. Most notably, the California gnatcatcher, a bird listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species list.

"About 40 percent of local gnatcatcher population lives in Coyote Hills," Spenger said. "Biologically, the area is very sensitive."

Spenger also notes that an educational aspect will be lost if the area is used for urban development.

"Students and professors from Fullerton College and CSUF have used that land for research and educational purposes," Spenger said. "They would have to travel a great distance to perform the same research."

Spenger said 21 professors with 500 combined years of teaching and research experience signed a letter to propose that West Coyote Hills be left in its natural state.

Pacific Coast Homes is still proceeding with the plan. An environmental impact report will be released later this month. The public will have 45 days to review and comment on the plan. A second public event will proceed shortly after.

Ultimately, the city council has to approve the plan by a majority vote. Of the five city council members, three have to return a positive vote.

Don Means, vice president of Pacific Coast Homes, said he believes the recent plan represents a balance between the land allocated for urban development and for conservation efforts.

"We want to make appropriate use of our assets," Means said. "We have to balance the needs of the community and our shareholders. We think we came up with a plan that's balanced."