Commission Meets On American Flag's Fate At Trump National Golf Course
RANCHO PALOS VERDES (CBSLA.com) — A meeting was held Wednesday to determine the fate of the Stars and Stripes that fly at the Trump National Golf Course.
The California Coastal Commission met at 8 a.m. in Ventura to decide on the removal of the 400-square-foot veteran-dedicated flag as Rancho Palos Verdes residents gathered outside, singing the Star Spangled Banner.
In the end, the commission decide to send the issue back to the city for an amendment that would allow the taller flagpole to remain.
The giant American flag has been the focus of a standoff between Donald Trump and state officials, who say he has not taken the proper legal steps to keep it flying.
The flag has flown for the past eight years from a 70-foot-tall flagpole, which does not follow California Coastal Commission guidelines.
The committee also claims Trump has not filed the necessary coastal permits or paid a $10,000 fee to fly the flag in its current location.
Trump's attorney, however, stated that the fee has been paid.
"The flag has been up for many, many years," Trump told CBS2/KCAL9 by phone. "And after many years, we're still looking to get final approval on it. They're having a hard time approving the American flag."
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council voted 3-1 Friday to send a letter to the Commission recommending that the flag and the pole stay put despite some residents who say it obstructs coastal views.
A staffer has recommended that the flagpole's height be lowered to 26 feet and moved 30 feet from its current spot.
City Councilman Jim Knight says that the issue is less about the height of the flag and more about adhering to the rules and codes.
Trump ultimately says that he will continue to fight to keep the flag at its current height and location.
"I will fight for the American flag."
