US PIO billionaire wants popular beach to himself |
Billionnaire Indian American Vinod Khosla wants to keep the popular beach below his California property private. Khosla has filed a special petition in US Supreme Court over access to Martins Beach, which sits below his 89-acre property in Northern California. The Surfrider Foundation, defendant in the lawsuit, reportedly says that Khosla spent years and multimillion dollars just to refusemasses beach access. Khoslahired former U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement who has argued several high-profile cases before the Supreme Court. The California Court of Appeals last August ruled against Khosla, mandating that he immediately open the beach to public access. Change of use required a permit from the California Coastal Commission to develop the property. Khosladid not acquire a permit, saying he was not developing the property. The California Supreme Court last October declined to hear Khosla`s appeal.Martins Beach has been a popular spot for picnickers, fishermen, and surfers for over a century. The Deeney family, which formerly owned the spot, kept the beach open to the public for a small entrance fee.
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