Huntington air show gets coastal panel permit

The Pacific Airshow has received approval of a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission, propelling plans for the event to roar through the skies of Huntington Beach again this fall.

- BY MATT SZABO

THE AIR FORCE Thunderbirds fly over Huntington Beach. The Pacific Airshow, scheduled for Oct. 3-5, received a permit this month.

The Coastal Commission has voted unanimously to approve a five-year permit to operate Pacific Airshow LLC albeit with a list of 21 special conditions that the show must abide by to mitigate impacts on natural resources and public access to the beach.

Among them, Pacific Airshow LLC must pay $274,758 to the California State Lands Commission for public access and habitat enhancement projects at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, to resolve unpermitted development.

"There's not a single person that doesn't appreciate a good air show," said Commissioner Raymond Jackson, who made the motion to issue the permit. "It clearly promises to be wonderful. I appreciate the conditions. I think they're crystal clear and more than reasonable. I'm thrilled that the staff and the applicant have worked so hard together to move this forward."

Commissioner Mike Wilson, while voting to approve the permit, noted that there has been an issue of trust, not only between the Coastal Commission and the air show but between the show and community members.

"There's work to be done there," he said.