Crystal Cove Residents Sue to Block Eviction

Residents of the Crystal Cove State Park cottages who have received eviction notices from the state sued on Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court to prevent being ousted from the 1920s-era dwellings.

A lawyer representing the Crystal Cove Residents Assn. said officials of the California Department of Parks and Recreation had violated the California Environmental Quality Act and other statutes by evicting residents without first adopting a plan for reuse or maintenance of the historic cottages.

But Roy Stearns, deputy director of communications for the Parks Department, said: “We have a plan. The 1982 General Plan is still in effect.”

That plan calls for repairs, upgrades and other renovations that officials have said could cost an estimated $32 million, but does not specifically outline the future use for the historic beach structures.

Last week, parks officials said they had dropped plans to allow a luxury resort there. But in a statement Tuesday, Parks Director Rusty Areias said Michael Freed, the developer who was awarded the 60-year contract to run a resort on the site, might still be involved in future plans there. Freed could not be reached for comment.

Deborah Rosenthal, a Costa Mesa attorney representing the residents association, said the Parks Department should have more than the initial stages of a plan before evicting longtime tenants.