In a recent government meeting, community concerns surrounding a property development project on Las Tunas Beach took center stage, highlighting issues of safety, structural integrity, and local impact. Residents expressed frustration over delays and complications related to squatters and water damage at the site, which has been under scrutiny for over a year.

Omid, a family member of the property owners, detailed the challenges faced since purchasing the property in September of the previous year. He noted that while all necessary approvals had been obtained, the project has been stalled, primarily due to issues with squatters and the need for adjustments to the roof height and view corridors. He emphasized the urgency of completing the project for his aging parents, who are looking forward to a family home.

Jason Ventress, a long-time resident and property owner nearby, raised alarms about the structural safety of the proposed development. He pointed out that the application for the new structure is based on a frail, 40-year-old seawall and a foundation dating back to 1924. Ventress urged the commissioners to reconsider the approval, citing potential risks of seawall failure and the implications for public safety and neighboring properties.

The applicant's representatives defended their plans, asserting that they were following all required protocols and that structural concerns were outside the scope of the current meeting. They committed to having a structural engineer review the site during the construction phase to address any safety issues.

As the meeting concluded, the commissioners were left to weigh the community's concerns against the applicant's assurances, with the future of the development project hanging in the balance. The discussions underscored the ongoing tension between development aspirations and community safety, a recurring theme in coastal property management.