Los Cerritos Shows Signs of Flexibility

Residents of Los Cerritos Estates have many legitimate concerns about what happens with the State Land Office’s Section 32.

The town of Edgewood has leased the land since 2004 and has wanted to open up the area for recreation. The only way to the 680- acre parcel now is through the subdivision, raising concerns among neighbors that everyone and his brother will be driving through the subdivision.

That’s why it’s refreshing to see that the Los Cerritos Estates Area Homeowners Association supported a thinning project on 80 acres bordering Los Cerritos. The project is creating 300-foot-wide fire breaks.

The neighborhood association has concerns about vehicles used for the project coming through their neighborhood and tearing up roads, but for the most part like the tree thinning.

"Everybody is in agreement that the fire potential is pretty great," said Mike Rariden, a board member for the association. "We’re happy with this project."

Hopefully the project will foster a little trust between the town and the neighborhood. Section 32 would be a great area for recreation and perhaps common ground can be found to open it for everyone.

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