A Carlsbad homeowner fined $1.4 million over coastal access and environmental issues last week has opened the driveway gate at the heart of his violations.

The gate provides the only access to John Levy’s custom-built home along the Buena Vista Lagoon, just south of the Oceanside border. It’s also the entrance for a trail to Carlsbad’s North Beach and a connection to a short nature trail along the lagoon.

Both footpaths have been on Carlsbad’s master trails map for years. However, until Sunday, the entry on Mountain View Drive was closed and locked to the public. The California Coastal Commission on Thursday gave Levy three days to open the gate permanently and 120 days to completely remove it.

The city posted signs at the Mountain View entrance and along the beach trail over the weeken

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