We know that both these developers have the resources and the leadership to make it so. The devil's bargain Contrary to those who imbue environmentalists with mythical powers, lesson number one in the fight against Los Angelization is that you can't just stop developers. Developers have rights, too. But just as important, if not more so, they have money and power and friends in all the right places. You can stop or improve some things, some times, but at enormous cost and risk.
Urban sprawl continues.
Environmentalists and community residents are outmanned and outgunned at every turn. The Pardee deal has been carefully sweetened by their offer to contribute significant lands on Carmel Mountain, the last and largest remaining stand of an endangered habitat known as coastal maritime chaparral. This is a conservation jewel that Pardee has actively sought to develop for the last few years. Only dogged grass-roots community pressure, combined with the resolution of the mayor's office, have kept the mesa top from the roar of the bulldozers. Now, Pardee has offered to save their portions of Carmel Mountain if we are successful in convincing the voters to approve Pacific Highlands Ranch.