Judge won’t approve Hollister Ranch coastal access deal

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — A judge has refused to approve an agreement between coastal officials and owners of a stretch of Southern California coastline that would allow only very limited access to beaches.

The Los Angeles Times reports Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Colleen Sterne ruled Friday the public’s interest was not fully represented in the agreement over access to Hollister Ranch.

The settlement was signed last year by the California State Coastal Conservancy and the state Coastal Commission on one side and the Hollister Ranch Owners Association on the other.

It limits access to those who could boat or paddle 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to reach it, visitors with guides, wealthy landowners and guests.

The ruling does not reject the settlement, but establishes a path for opponents to have it thrown out.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/