County Issues Stop-Work Order on McCaw’s Beachfront Project

County zoning enforcement officers issued a stop-work order on Craig McCaw, ex-husband of embattled News-Press owner Wendy McCaw, to prevent any further vegetation removal from the 60 acres of beach front land just west of the Bacara Resort & Spa, which he recently purchased for $20 million. In addition, McCaw reportedly had dozens of eucalyptus trees – home to monarch butterflies – removed. County inspectors responded to a complaint forwarded to them by the California Coastal Commission, whose enforcement officer contends that McCaw should have first obtained the necessary permits. The inquiry originated with Mark Masara of the Sierra Club, who charged that McCaw’s property is home to such endangered species as the red legged frog. He also charged that McCaw should have applied for a permit before posting “No Trespassing” signs and a guard on the property. County Enforcement Officer Kimberley McCarthy said she’s still investigating whether McCaw needed the permits, and if so, what kind of remediation program, if any, would be required. McCaw bought the property with the intent of building a home there for his current wife and their two children.