Dana Point and Huntington Beach Efforts to Reopen
Update on Emergency City Council Meeting and Court Action: Yesterday, the City Council held an emergency meeting in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement to close Orange County beaches.
City of Dana Point, May 1, 2020, Press Release
The cities of Dana Point and Huntington Beach requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Governor’s order and any enforcement of such order. This afternoon the Hon. Nathan R. Scott of the Orange County Superior Court denied the request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) made by the cities of Dana Point and Huntington Beach, and supported by the City of Newport Beach.
The three cites sought to prevent enforcement of Governor Newsom’s order to close Orange County beaches until a more complete briefing on the topic could occur in connection with a request for a preliminary injunction.
In denying the TRO, the Court commented that based on the limited time it had to consider the very serious issues presented, it felt compelled to defer to the State’s concerns about public health.
The request for a further hearing on a preliminary injunction was granted by the court, and will occur on May 11, 2020 at 2 pm.
During the court hearing, staff received a request from the State to participate in a call to develop a plan to reopen beaches in Orange County.
As a result of that call, a plan to reopen beaches has been developed and will be submitted to the State over the weekend. The City is hopeful the plan will satisfy the State, making further court action unnecessary.
At this time, beaches remain closed per Governor Newsom’s order. We appreciate the community’s patience and diligence through the Stay at Home Order.