There are 600 wood-burning fire pits just up the highway in Huntington Beach for those who want that, Curry argued. What they came up with was working, he continued. The city has worked with the community to try and find a strategy that works with both sides and addresses the “significant health issues,” Curry said. There was an increase in usage at the beach last summer, Curry agreed. The beach was packed as usual last summer, he said, displaying photos of groups of people gathered around the fire pits. That’s not the case, countered Breakers Drive resident and a vocal opponent of the fire rings, Frank Peters. “I’d love to have people come and enjoy our beaches after dark and that means wood in the fire.”Ĭharcoal, being a more expensive fuel, limits who can enjoy the fire pits, he said. “So in effect, you’ve shut down the beaches at dusk,” Peotter argued. “You may as well remove them.”Ĭharcoal fueled fire rings have little use in the summer and no use in the evening or winter, he added. “I have a problem with charcoal in the fire rings,” Peotter said. Peotter raised the issue at the December meeting and directed staff to explore ideas on bringing back wood. While the layouts aren’t perfect, it does a good job of complying with both agencies, noted newly elected Councilman Scott Peotter, who represents the district covering Corona del Mar. Several of the rings would be shuffled around a bit in order to accommodate the rule. South Coast AQMD Rule 444 allows wood burning fires on the beach if they are spaced at least 100 feet apart from each other and 700 feet from homes. Only charcoal has been allowed in the city’s beach fire pits since SCAQMD’s rule regulating the types of fuel used in beach bonfires went into effect on March 1. The two organizations have been fighting over control of the fire rings for several years. Staff believes this will comply with both South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Coastal Commission, said City Manager Dave Kiff. The decision was made following about an hour and a half of discussion and nearly two dozen public speakers, split fairly evenly on both sides of the issue.
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