Big plans at Aliso

There is much to chew on in the conceptual plans unveiled Wednesday in a public forum by Athens Group for the Aliso Creek and Driftwood properties.

Athens wants to tear down the existing resort buildings and rebuild on a safer foundation that won’t be subject to flooding -- the existing canyon-nestled inn has been under water five times in the past 15 years.

Athens, which developed the nearby oceanfront Montage Resort and Spa with an appealing Craftsman bungalow design, now proposes to duplicate the success of Montage with a similarly designed project in the canyon.

We’ve no doubt it will be beautiful and will, as promised, enhance city coffers with many millions more in hotel taxes and other fees.

And the developers also promise to finally open the secluded canyon area to hikers and mountain bikers by linking with the long-standing system of trails that meander to its borders from the huge wilderness park that surrounds it.

That linkage was something the previous owner, the venerable Vi Brown, fought tenaciously, and successfully, to stop.

Athens has wisely dropped its previous proposal to expand the nine-hole golf course to a full 18. Sighs of relief have been heard from the beaches to the hilltops.

In another boon to the community, redevelopment of the golf course will promote improved water quality, so Aliso Creek, and the beach it flows into, may be cleaner in the future.

And the developer indicates that, of the 315 acres in question, some 240 will be dedicated as public open space.

Those are certainly plusses.

What community members will no doubt be watching are the plans that underpin the advantages:

Athens proposes 40 to 50 new homes at the Aliso site, in addition to unspecified residential development in the Driftwood area.

The inn itself will be expanded by about one-third, and Athens says it will increase parking in the area.

We expect the community will have many questions about how all this will be accomplished as details emerge.

Unfortunately, many of the details are lacking at this juncture. Athens Group has been trotting out the proposal for at least a week now to focus groups, and now in a public town hall forum, but details are still sketchy as the firm says it is working out final plans.

Since the project will require an environmental report and Coastal Commission approval, there will be plenty more opportunities for the community to review and comment on the plans that emerge.

Aliso Creek is a true coastal gem and deserves to be polished to shine brightly for many years to come.