Local residents furious as Broccoli estate`s development plans would `destroy pastures of heaven to make a pile of money`

A group of residents oppose plans by heirs of the producer of several James Bond films to build a subdivision in the hilly, near-wild terrain of the Toro area, reports Associated Press.

Opponents contend the project, proposed since May 2001 by a real estate firm controlled by the family of movie producer Albert Broccoli, poses a host of water, sewage, traffic and soil-erosion problems. Harper Canyon Realty is seeking permission from Monterey County officials to divide 344 acres into 17 home lots and donate another 180 acres to the county's adjacent Toro Regional Park.

Broccoli, whose hit films include "Dr. No" and "Octopussy," owned the land, which has been leased for grazing since the 1960s. He died in 1996 and his wife, Dana, died in February. His daughter Barbara and stepson Michael Wilson are principals in the Santa Monica-based firm that owns the property.

"Now the old man has died and the kids want to make a pile of money," said Susan Clark, a representative of The Meyer Community Group, the opposition group taking its name from a private road that would provide access to the new subdivision. Opponents claim development would destroy the land that author John Steinbeck referred to in some of his short stories as the "pastures of heaven."

Michael Cling, a land-use attorney for Harper Canyon Realty, said the entire acreage is zoned for residential use.

"We have done all the studies and reports, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with what's being proposed," Cling said.

The county's Subdivision Committee, made up of planning, environmental health, public works and fire officials, are set to discuss the project at a regulatory meeting Thursday.

Thanks to `Ken` for the alert.

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