Mark your calendars for our March 7 Breakfast Meeting, when the NSCA Communication Committee fills us in on the 50-year history of the Seashore News in Niguel Shores.
February came on strong for the Men’s Club with three meetings in the month, contrasted to our normal two. On February 7, after a fine breakfast prepared by the Beebe/Dunlevie cooking team for more than 40 members, we enjoyed a charming and informative talk focused on 20th Century America, Dana Point, and a distinguished local family of Japanese heritage. Ms. Brooke Cuevas, owner/manager of Dana Point Nursery and great-granddaughter of its founder Harry Otsubo, spoke on her family’s history in the area. Their journey has been long and inspired, leaving Dana Point better-and-greener than when they found it. (See the article on Page 7 for more related to the legacy of Mr. Otsubo.) After many family-related questions for Brooke, she fielded inquiries from members trying to understand why their home landscapes are often on intensive care. The advice Brooke offered is pay attention to the amount of water plants receive, whether too much or too little. We adjourned, well fed and well informed.
At 0900 on that same Tuesday, our second meeting commenced, and a few spouses joined us, to hear former Club VP and current Dana Point City Councilman John Gabbard, along with Dana Point City Manager Mike Killebrew, talk about changes being considered to various rules and regulations concerning Short Term Rentals. This is a big, active topic in the California Coastal Zone, the city of Dana Point, and Niguel Shores. Kudos to all involved for conducting this discussion in an informed and intelligent way, and in conjunction with a Men’s Club meeting.
That said, as a local homeowner and an observer at this meeting, I am not sure what the future holds on the subject of STRs. I am clear that the existing CC&Rs for Niguel Shores prohibit STRs. I am clear the city of Dana Point will not issue an STR permit to a Niguel Shores applicant unless the applicant has an authorizing document from our homeowner’s association. So far, so good. But, the final outcome is still unresolved. The California Coastal Commission is a powerful force created in the 1970s to promote “beach access.” The Coastal Commission defines the Coastal Zone as all land from the Pacific ocean, east, to the west side of Pacific Coast Highway (in Niguel Shores). That includes a significant portion of Niguel Shores. So, stay tuned.
At our “Third Tuesday” meeting on February 21, we enjoyed a fine breakfast, and then heard from James Shadle, Director of General Services for the City of Dana Point, whose department oversees parks, facilities, emergency services and acts as steward of the City’s physical assets. Talk about interesting and relevant for this crowd… very interesting!
The Men’s Club wishes to acknowledge the passing of our longtime member Jack Christiansen, who will always be remembered for his service to the club and the Niguel Shores community.
If you are not yet a member of the Niguel Shores Men’s
Club, there is no time like the present.
We meet at 8 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. We always start with a good breakfast, followed by an interesting presentation from an invited guest speaker. Come
check us out. Your first breakfast is on us!
—Tim Moore
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