Sea Pointe Estates is the Most Beautiful Orange County / San Clemente Real Estate

As you may have heard either from your Realtor or from other sources, there has been some stigma attached to a particular slope and potential slide issues here in Sea Pointe Estates. We would like you to know all that we know about this matter and would certainly suggest further investigation if you have an interest in purchasing this home or any other in Sea Pointe Estates.

The potential for problems came to light specifically when a few lots washed out and a particular home owner had foundation issues. Since then and because of those incidents there has been extensive discussion, investigation, litigation and indeed some posturing on the part of several parties.

Movement in slopes is not an uncommon occurrence, in some cases it is serious and in others not. Sea Pointe Estates is better off than most hillside communities in San Clemente or for that matter in South Orange County, as we have been proactive about identifying and addressing geological issues. As previously stated the Geologic research was initiated when a few lots were washed out. It was determined at the time that the primary reason for this situation arose because the City of San Clemente had not made the storm drains big enough. Since the discovery of this issue, the City has tripled the size of the problematic gutters and initiated several geologic studies.

During the scope of a series of geologic studies and investigations done by the Sea Pointe Homeowners Association, the City and private lot owner commissioned investigations, an ancient landslide was identified, mapped and then redefined. The upshot of these reports is that there is a fraction of an inch movement at 50 feet below the surface in the identified zones. Initially these reports identified four zones related to the ancient landslide. More recently at the June 20th, 2007 Homeowner’s Association meeting, the discussion centered around the issue that only the A and B zones previously identified, are now considered within the ancient landslide.

Although much has been said and reported on this matter, very little has been reduced to writing in an effort to stem the concerns and rumors about this issue. As a matter of fact, the litigious nature of our society has caused almost everyone to spend time covering their collective backsides in this matter and not making clear the limited nature of these issues.

As previously stated, the community of Sea Pointe Estates has been very active at taking proactive steps to research, report and resolve these issues. They installed eight hydraugers (A small pipe installed horizontally at inside of

earth embankment for the purpose of removing water from internal part of earth embankment, in an effort to stabilize a slope)  to remove water from the water table with success.  As a result, 18 additional hydraugers have been ordered to be installed, which are expected to reduce the water table to the point that any slippage would no longer be an issue of any kind for any part of this community.

There are some homes In Sea Pointer Estates that have foundation issues. These are homes likely built early in the development phase of the community.  Most homes here in Sea Pointe Estates have been constructed using caissons (A shaft of concrete and steel placed under a building column or wall and extending down to hardpan or rock. Also known as pier foundations). In particular this home, to the best of our knowledge, has 25 such piers linking its foundation to bedrock. The only homes in our neighborhood that we are aware of that have foundation issues, do not have any caissons. We would be happy to show any potential purchaser of our home the extraordinary effort that was made with the foundations of this home to alleviate any slide issues, and they are quite extensive.

An additional note here; The “A” zone (center of the ancient landslide), as designated by the original Geological report, is not much more than a few lots. The current owners of these lots have been working with the City to get building permits. The first Geologic studies concerned the San Clemente City Council so that they chose to set aside $1million to build a retaining wall between Sea Pointe Estates and Camino De Los Mares to protect the road.  The more recent geologic studies proved these fears were exaggerated and to our knowledge, the City canceled construction of the retaining wall. The last geological survey the City of San Clemente commissioned is supposed to be completed the week of June 25th 2007, after which they are scheduled to make a final decision about the development of the previously affected lots located within “Zone A”. 

As of now, the few people that have studied the geologic information have very little if any concerns about these slope issues or owning homes within Sea Pointe Estates.  More than 24 new custom homes have been built in our community during the last two years, which is a clear testimony to the efforts made to stem not only the issues themselves but the rumors surrounding them.

Again, we would suggest that an interested party conduct their own thorough investigation of these matters. We would be happy to provide any supportive information we have, and keep in mind that no other community has as much knowledge about its geological makeup as do the residents and owners here in Sea Pointe Estates!