Rich Malibu homeowners ordered to create public access to beach

Wealthy residents whose homes block an exclusive beach in Malibu have been ordered to spend millions and construct public access and a parking lot ending a decades-long battle.

Following a 40-year effort, the California Coastal Commission and California State Coastal Conservancy collaborated to open access to Escondido Beach.

Last week, the commission approved an agreement with former movie mogul Frank Mancuso and the heirs of defunct Bally Total Fitness founder Don Wildman, who died in 2018, to rectify the violations that prevented people from accessing the exclusive beach along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Mancuso is to remove a driveway and pay a $600,000 fine, while the Wildmans will build a path to the beach, parking lot and other adjustments at an estimated $3 million.

Wealthy residents whose homes block an exclusive beach in Malibu have been ordered to build public access ceasing a decades-long battle connected with Escondido Beach

Former movie mogul Frank Mancuso (left) and the heirs of defunct Bally Total Fitness founder Don Wildman, who died in 2018, (right) will need to rectify the violations that prevented people from accessing the exclusive beach along the Pacific Coast Highway

Reaching Escondido Beach has been historically difficult after former homeowners put in obstructions starting in the 1980s - here a large metal fence obscures the path

Reaching Escondido Beach has been historically difficult after former homeowners put in obstructions starting in the 1980s, according to SFgate.

A report obtained by the outlet said 'an unpermitted lot line adjustment' as well as metal fencing, thick vegetation and paving driveways over the easement has obscured access. 

Mancuso and Wildman both sued the conservancy in the late 1990s and 2000s in separate lawsuits as the battle for public access continued. 

Both argued through the 1990s and 2000s that the public accessway should be moved elsewhere due to the difficulties of building on and improving the recorded easement area, the report said. 

To access the beach, the public either had to pay an entrance fee to park a quarter-mile away or go through a nearby restaurant half a mile away. 

According to the Los Angeles Times attorneys for Wildman and Mancuso claimed that they 'inherited' the violations which had not been disclosed to them at the time of purchase.

Wildman purchased his property in the mid-1980s and Mancuso in 1991.

'The Mancuso family has never done anything on the property whatsoever, they bought it the way it is, but they understand the law, and they've worked out an agreement and they hope the commission will approve it,' Alan Block, an attorney for Mancuso, said to the outlet.

Susan Hori, an attorney for the Wildman family, shared a similar sentiment. 

Mancuso is to remove a driveway and pay a $600,000 fine, while the Wildmans will build a path to the beach, parking lot and other adjustments at an estimated $3 million

According to the Los Angeles Times attorneys for Wildman and Mancuso claimed that they 'inherited' the violations which had not been disclosed to them at the time of purchase. Mancuso Sr. (left) seen pictured with his son (right)

Following a 40-year effort the California Coastal Commission and California State Coastal Conservancy collaborated to open access to Escondido Beach

'We are very happy that the commission did support and approve the resolution,' Hori said. 

'And we're very appreciative of the time that it took from staff to come and work with us on that resolution.' 

The violations stretch to the early 1980s, when prior owners Ken and Jeannette Chiate and Marilyn and Roger Wolk wrongly recorded the location of the easement.

In California, the coastline is considered public land up to the high-tide line.

'It's so hard for us to get new access to the coast, and new vertical accessways are like unicorns, they just don't exist, especially in Malibu,' said chief of enforcement for the Coastal Commission Lisa Haage said.

'Settling this case without litigation is huge. This is like flying to the moon or something.'

Haage said Malibu is synonymous with 'going to the beach' calling the agreement a significant victory for the public.

'If you say the word 'Malibu' to anybody in the world, they think of going to the beach, they think of surfing and beach life and picnicking and all the stuff that goes along with the California coast,' Haage said.

'It's just so ironic that there's so few access points, and every single one, we've had to fight and fight and fight for.'

Nearby neighbors include billionaire David Saperstein, Jay-Z and Beyoncé , and was home to Tom Petty whose home went on the market there for $9.85 million last year

The easement could open to the public in 2024 pending permit and construction

At present, to access the beach, the public either had to pay an entrance fee to park a quarter-mile away or go through a nearby restaurant half a mile away

Escondido Beach, which overlooks Point Dume, is home to many wealthy residents who have long enjoyed access to the secluded spot. 

Nearby neighbors include billionaire David Saperstein, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, and was home to Tom Petty whose home went on the market there for $9.85 million last year. 

'Escondido Beach means 'Hidden Beach' in Spanish, and the lack of public access here kept it hidden from many people that could not find a nearby public trail to the beach, or even a public parking spot, over the decades,' commission staff wrote ahead of Wednesday's decision.

The easement could open to the public as soon as 2024, pending permit and construction.