3 Responses to “AERIE Project Could Break Ground This Fall, Owner Says”
Comments
August 8th, 2012
I'm just curious, does anyone remember how the Channel Reef project was built, I think back in the early 1960's. People talk about construction that is out of place or oversize for the area, but no mention is ever made of that project. I know it was built back before there was very much oversight, but I just wonder what the history of it is. I got stuck in the elevator there once as a kid when we were fooling around and they had to call the fire dept to get us out. LOL
August 8th, 2012
I have a picture from 1963 of a new and unoccupied Channel Reef building and docks. I acquired the image from the excellent archivists at the Orange County Archives at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana.
August 10th, 2012
Channel Reef was built before the California Coastal Commission was established. It's size and scale were mentioned throughout the approval process for the Aerie development. Pro development people sited it as an example of large scale development in CdM. They argued that Aerie met the standard of 'being visibly compatible with the surrounding area' because of Channel Reef. Those opposed to Aerie sited the Channel Reef as an eye sore which would never be allowed today, and thus Aerie when first presented at 74,000 sq feet was inconsistent with the standards for current development in CdM. Aerie was subsequent reduced from 74,000 sq feet to just over 51,000. Aerie originally proposed major bluff alteration and destruction, and was denied by the California Coastal Commission. On the third trip to the CCC, the project was approved.
