News Summary
The California Coastal Commission is set to vote on a critical one-time permit for the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, amid past regulatory hurdles and public funding concerns. The event may go ahead with a hefty fine imposed on the operator, yet compliance issues raise doubts about its future. With ticket prices ranging significantly and scrutiny over public access to the beach, the airshow’s fate remains uncertain as the commission deliberates.
Huntington Beach, CA – The California Coastal Commission is scheduled to cast a pivotal vote on a permit for the much-anticipated Pacific Airshow, taking place from October 3 to 5 in Huntington Beach. The event has faced significant hurdles in securing permits in prior years due to regulatory navigation around coastal development and activities.
Commission staff are recommending the approval of a one-time permit for this year’s airshow, albeit with stringent conditions. Among these conditions is an imposed fine of $274,758 on the show operator, Code Four. In addition, Code Four is required to submit a comprehensive Coastal Development Permit application for any future airshow events.
Currently, Huntington Beach is obligated to compensate the airshow operator approximately $500,000 each year. This payment stems from a contentious legal settlement resulting from a lawsuit initiated by Code Four after the city allegedly canceled the 2021 show due to an oil spill incident.
This legal agreement has been challenged by critics who have described it as an unwarranted allocation of public funds. The city initially declined to release the complete terms of the settlement until compelled to do so by a legal challenge from a local school board member. Currently, the city is embroiled in a legal battle to prevent the State Auditor from conducting an audit of the settlement, and this matter remains in the courts.
Officials from the Coastal Commission have pointed out that Code Four has not applied for the necessary permits related to beach closures and the placement of equipment regarding the airshow. The commission has proactively issued multiple letters requesting these applications, all of which have been disregarded by Code Four.
As preparations for the event continue, ticket prices for the airshow range from $50 for general admission to as high as $3,500 for a reserved table of ten, complete with catering. However, the event has raised concerns about public access to the beach during the show, particularly after receiving complaints related to restricted access in prior events.
The Coastal Commission has cautioned that if Code Four fails to comply with the permitting requirements, it could result in enforcement actions, which may include a cease and desist order against the airshow. Such possibilities underscore the precarious future of the event contingent upon the commission’s decision.
In addition to the permit-related discussions, the use of public funds and concerns regarding access to the beach have attracted scrutiny from both state officials and local representatives. They are advocating for more thorough scrutiny and transparency of the airshow’s contracts and financial agreements.
As the Coastal Commission prepares to deliberate and vote, the future of the Pacific Airshow remains uncertain. Approval of the permit is critical for the event to proceed as scheduled, but opposition from various stakeholders suggests that challenges may lie ahead.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Huntington Beach Airshow and Coastal Commission
- OC Register: Huntington Beach Sued Over Audit Refusal
- LA Times: Huntington Beach’s Deals with Pacific Airshow
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Huntington Beach
- Google Search: Huntington Beach Pacific Airshow
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
