Controversial Development Proposal by U2's The Edge on June Coastal Commission Agenda

The proposal by David Evans, better known as U2 guitarist The Edge, to build five large houses off Sweetwater Mesa Road above  is scheduled to be considered by the California Coastal Commission at its meeting next month in Marina del Rey. The item has been on previous commission agendas during the past several years, but was removed prior to each meeting.

Three of the proposed houses would be more than 12,000 square feet. The other two would be approximately 8,000 square feet and approximately 7,000 square feet. The houses are slated for an area just outside the city limits, so the  cannot vote on the applications. However, the project also calls for a 1,600-square-foot access road that is in the city. The council decided two years ago not to vote on the application for the road until the commission decides on the houses.

Representatives of The Edge say he has partners on the project, but coastal staff has not been satisfied with the evidence presented in an attempt to prove this.

When the project appeared on the February commission agenda, the staff had recommended against approval. In an interview Wednesday, Coastal Commission Deputy Director Jack Ainsworth said, "Our position hasn’t changed when it comes to the recommendation."

A staff report with the recommendation is expected to appear on the Coastal Commission website on Friday.

The hearing is scheduled to take place June 16 at the Marina del Rey Hotel, located at 13534 Bali Way.