"California Gov. Jerry Brown has
signed legislation to force Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla to
allow public access through his property to a contested beach south of
San Francisco. The venture capitalist and green energy investor bought
the 53-acre property south of Half Moon Bay in 2008 and erected a gate across the road,
preventing beachgoers and surfers from reaching popular Martin’s Beach.
The standoff has become a lightning rod in the battle over beach
access, spawning legislation and litigation.
Earlier this year, Brown
signed legislation allowing the state Coastal Commission to levy large
fines against homeowners who block shore access. Then San Mateo Superior
Court Judge Barbara Mallach ruled against Khosla last week
in a lawsuit aimed at forcing him to reopen the road, saying he must
either allow access or get a state permit to permanently close it.
Khosla has not reopened the road. Legislation signed by Brown on Tuesday
specifically targets Khosla and requires the state Lands Commission to
negotiate with him for a year to try to resolve the issue. If no
agreement is reached, the Coastal Commission would acquire all or a part
of Khosla’s property by eminent domain to ensure access. An attorney
for Khosla did not immediately return a call from NBC News seeking
comment on the new law or the litigation."
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