RPV Council Moves Toward Dog Beach Pilot Program

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council voted Tuesday night to embark on the first steps toward officially turning Rancho Palos Verdes Beach into an off-leash area for dogs and their owners.

The complicated motion, which was approved by a 4-1 vote, included a direction to immediately tighten enforcement of leash laws in parking lots near the beach, in addition to on trails down to the beach and in Founder's Park, particularly around Trump National Golf Club.

The passed motion included a potential pilot program for off-leash use on the beach, with city staff directed to begin an environmental analysis, and to immediately tighten up enforcement of leash laws in Founder's Park and the trails, in addition to clarify and improve signage at the beach. The Planning Commission was also directed to look at fencing the beach for non-dog areas, various permits for dog owners to ensure safe use, scheduling off-leash times and other potential ideas for the beach.

"I'm trying to look for a middle ground so both groups can enjoy a resource," said Mayor Anthony Misetich, referring to the two very vocal groups for and against the off-leash beach.

Residents filled the meeting room at Fred Hesse Community Park, with a few more spilling into an adjacent room where a monitor had been set up. Based on a show of hands requested by the mayor, supporters and opponents of the beach were evenly represented, and 22 people made requests to speak on the matter before the council.

The beach has long been used as an off-leash area by dog owners, in spite of laws prohibiting dogs in the area.

Resident Gary Randall, in his opposing comments before the council, expressed concern that the law was being flouted by owners currently using the beach.

"I am in favor of a dog park somewhere else," he said. "I don't think this is a viable place. We need to educate the public immediately, enforce the laws and mitigate the costs [of enforcement]."

Barry Shapiro, a supporter of the off-leash beach, pointed out that dog owners have only have two beaches in Los Angeles County where they can take their dogs, only one of which allows dogs to be off their leashes.

"They don't want to mix with the dogs, there are plenty of beaches without dogs," Shapiro said about opponents of the off-leash beach.

"I feel that dogs are marginalized," said Cornelia Bernstein, explaining that her golden retriever needs an area where he can get the exercise he needs. "I can't run as fast as he can. He gets his exercise by going off leash."

Both Dana and Jeff Dorsett expressed concerns about aggressive breeds being let loose on the beach.

"I don't think we can deny that the population of dogs has increased," Dana Dorsett said, adding that she used to go to RPV Beach every weekend. "I'm not going down there with my grandchildren. I think there is a serious threat."

Councilwoman Susan Brooks said the concern regarding aggressive dogs should be placed squarely on the owners' shoulders.

"It is not the breed, it is the owner," she said.

However, safety was a consistent concern among the council members as they debated the issue.

"We have the responsibility to see that it is safe," Brooks said.

Councilman Jim Knight, who was the lone member to vote against the motion, said he was concerned there was no way to get emergency vehicles to the beach except through the private Portuguese Bend Club area, and that the use of the beach would increase significantly should the off-leash dog beach become legal.

"I'm afraid it could get out of control," he said.

Councilman Brian Campbell urged the council to send the matter to the city's Planning Commission so members could look at other mitigating measures, including restricting off-leash hours, restricting sections of the beach for off-leash use, requiring special permits for off-leash use, among others.

"The great thing about a dog park is that this is a relatively low-cost thing," Campbell pointed out, and since there are no permanent structures to add or take down, regulations can be changed back to the no-dogs policy. "We can modify it as we go."

Councilman Jerry Duhovic said he was concerned about parking, noting that on his last visit, there were cars filling the three lots closest to the beach and along the streets. He also echoed Campbell's concern about dogs being off-leash in Founder's Park and on the trails down to the beach.

"The dogs need to be on leashes in the park and on the trails," Duhovic said.