OC County Beach Parking Lots Close Due To Coronavirus

DANA POINT, CA —After a weekend of total disregard for public safety, visitors are being discouraged from coming to Orange County beaches, according to Orange County Chief Executive Officer Frank Kim. On Tuesday, Kim told Orange County supervisors Tuesday that he would close down parking lots to all of the county's parks and beaches to discourage visitors who have not been complying with the state's social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 emergency.

Kim directed Orange County Parks to close parking areas at Salt Creek, Strands and Capo Beach, among others, Patch learned Tuesday.

The supervisors attempted to vote on the restrictions themselves after discussing the issue, as has been done in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Still, there was concern about whether they could do so immediately and comply with Brown Act regulations governing open meetings.

Supervisor Andrew Do argued the county board has the right under the emergency because it has given notice at a previous meeting that action regarding the county's parks system concerning COVID-19 outbreaks. Still, there was no consensus as to if the board was accountable if they voted on a ban or restricted access.

Instead, the board left it up to Kim to make a change and restrict access to the parking lots.
Last weekend, throngs of visitors flocked to the beaches, and many ignored social distancing requirements to stay at least 6 feet away from other people.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said she received numerous calls about "packed" bathrooms in the parks and beaches.

Supervisor Don Wagner said the board could call an emergency meeting for Wednesday and comply with the Brown Act by giving 24 hours notice.

"I fear for an overwhelming increase in the population of county beaches," Kim said, referring to residents in San Diego and Los Angeles counties turning to Orange County for a trip to the beach.
As the supes could not reach an accord to do so, Kim announced his intentions during the meeting, immediately closing parking lots of beaches. "That's what I intend to do," Kim told the supervisors.

At that point, the board rescinded its votes on a motion from Bartlett. The motion did not appear to have enough votes anyway as Wagner and Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel were opposed and Supervisor Doug Chaffee abstained.

Kim said he would work with OC Parks staff to make sure any parking to pick up food remains allowed.

"Part of my no vote was to give you that kind of flexibility," Wagner said.

The county will coordinate with Dana Point Harbor Partners to close lots in the harbor area, and lots on Puerto Place.

Dana Point has several restaurants and food services along its beaches.

Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach previously made determinations to close beaches, piers, parks and parking areas.

Newport Beach City Council members are expected to address similar issues at their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.

In the meantime, Newport Beach officials closed all beachfront parking lots and piers in the city, according to public information officer John Pope.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.

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