August 17,2015-
Union Oil (Chevron) seeks to develop the 95-acre Avila Point project from an unused oil tank farm to a plush resort overlooking the ocean above the community of Avila Beach.
Avila Point will start the environmental review process soon as Chevron on July 31, sent the county their application to begin the CEQA process and hold a so-called Scoping public meeting that would kick off the review process.
Chevron needs to do a remediation process before it can begin the restoration and new building on the site. The industrial tank farm has old storage tanks, equipment, buildings and utility lines at the site that ceased operations in1997.
Chevron says they plan a 320,200sf resort on the hilltop site as well as connections to the Coastal Trail to Shell Beach, the Bob Jones Trail and and a proposed trail to Montana de Oro. The proponents say the project could generate $1.5 million in TOT (bed) tax and offer the public access to a site that has been closed for 15 years.
Critics will likely raise water issues, traffic and the fact the resort will cater to mostly high rollers.