TCA Regroups

Is the TCA desperate or just thinking outside the box? It ran the same full-page ad in the OC Register on Dec. 30 and Jan. 4 about completing the 241 Foothill Toll Road.

On Dec. 18, the Commerce Department announced it would stand by the California Coastal Commission’s February decision to deny the TCA’s plan to extend the 241. In Mission Viejo, an unusual alliance of environmentalists, Democrats, Independents and Republicans celebrated the news.

Environmentalists argued that alternative routes are available that don’t cut through the California Coastal Zone. Others objecting to the TCA’s plan include Mission Viejo activists, who said the TCA’s preferred route wouldn’t relieve traffic congestion as claimed. Additionally, the TCA wants a “non-compete” clause, whereby the I-5 can’t be widened without a payoff to the TCA for loss of toll-road use. Forcing taxpayers to enrich private investors doesn’t set well with a lot of folks who might otherwise be undecided.

While nearly everyone acknowledges the need for traffic relief, the TCA appears to have trouble letting go of the route that’s been rejected. The Commerce Department’s suggested alternative, the La Pata route, would run from Oso Parkway to La Pata in San Clemente. The TCA objects, claiming the La Pata route would take out 200 homes and cut through agricultural areas.

Some Mission Viejo residents support an alternative route using the planned Cow Camp connector to the I-5. This alternative would serve Ladera Ranch and the planned development of Rancho Mission Viejo, and it would relieve traffic on Oso, Crown Valley and Ortega.

Headlines of the TCA’s ad state: “As always, we’re all about moving forward.” The ad then proceeds to slam the Commerce Dept., Coastal Commission, environmental groups, “anti-road and anti-growth organizations” and anyone else who dares to oppose the mighty TCA. The ad commends those who supported the TCA’s preferred route – such lovable entities as elected officials and labor unions.

The last paragraph of the ad implies the TCA will next implore the Obama administration to come to the aid of its lobbyists, developers and elected officials who are lined up at the trough. Why would Obama support a group that comprises the Orange County Republican power club? Democrats who control the state long ago backed the Coastal Commission against the TCA, and President-elect Obama will likely figure this one out.