The community character issue is a mask the Commission is hiding behind. Community character allows the decision making body to make whatever decision they feel furthers their own agenda. According to Hill, coastal managers should be wary of making decisions solely on the basis of community character. That, to me, could be dangerous. Sara Wan, a California Coastal Commissioner, said community character was not the reason she voted against the gates.
Public access is the number one issue.
I have a very strong, positive bent towards the public and the public's rights. I believe my responsibility is to protect those rights. Exclusivity has negative connotations. Security has negative connotations. Coastal managers involved in the decision making process have to look at the existing standards and policies and make their decisions on those, and not on their personal preferences.