This KAZU Radio News article provides a summary of some of the concerns in addressing sea level rise. Professor Gary Griggs, David Carlson from the Planning Department, Cove Britton of Pacific Coast Protection Association, and several coastal property owners were interviewed. CPOA declined to be interviewed for this article.
Steve Forer, Reed Geistreiter, Derric Oliver, with Fenton & Keller representing CPOA, and Bret Sisney, also a CPOA Board Member, met with Kathy Molly on Thursday 2/27/20. Notes from meeting taken by S. Forer are intended for internal use by CPOA members. These notes do not necessarily represent the County’s final position on these issues.
While most CA coastal cities refuse to retreat from rising sea level, the City of Marina, north of Monterey, with a population of about 23,000 is preparing to address “Managed Retreat” from its eroding shoreline, considering relocating sewage treatment and power plant facilities, and prohibiting further development along the fragile coastline. Since Ft. Ord was closed in 1994, most of the development has taken place across highway one, blocks away from the coastline.
The County Planning Department will host a Public Informational Meeting on the latest proposed LCP and Code Amendments to address Sea Level Rise on Monday, March 2nd at 7 p.m. at Live Oak Elementary School. (see official meeting announcement)
County Planning Department will hold a Public Informational Meeting on Monday March 2, 2020 at 7 p.m. at Live Oak Elementary School – Multipurpose Auditorium to discuss the latest proposed 6.4 Safety Element Amendments – Local Coastal Plan (LCP) for Coastal Bluffs and Beaches, and 16.10 Safety Hazard Code Amendments to the building codes for Santa Cruz County. CPOA-SC wants to urge you to attend this meeting on March 2nd to reiterate your concerns as Coastal Property Owners.
This letter clarifies that CPOA-SC does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of all CPOA members nor all Coastal Property Owners, but does provide a process for member input through it’s Board of Directors, continues to advocate for rights of property owners, keeping CPOA members informed on important issues impacting coastal property owners.
The sea level rise is accelerating at a rate that is alarming according to the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) Report. In 2019, rates of sea level rise accelerated at all 21 of the stations studied along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts and at seven of the eight monitored stations along the U.S. West Coast.
Planning Department has requested the Board of Supervisors defer the Public Hearing on 6.4 Safety Element Amendments and the LCP for Coastal Bluffs and Beaches until March 10, 2020 to allow time to coordinate with Coastal Commission staff and other stakeholders.
Steve Forer, Reed Geistreiter, and Derric Oliver, representing CPOA and Bret Sisney, also a CPOA Board Member, met with Kathy Molly and David Carlson on Friday afternoon on 1/10/20, to discuss our concerns, present issues still needing clarification, and propose alternative language in the one time redevelopment/replacement allowance in the latest draft of the Safety Element Amendments 6.4, Local Coastal Program for Beaches and Cliff Bluffs. Although Kathy did address most of our concerns, we were disappointed in her response and justification for limiting the number of major redevelopment/replacement structures to only one project. Kathy Molly did indicate they plan to clean-up the language in this section, and to make it clear that the one time limitation applies to the next 20 year planning period, but would not commit to language indicating any future potential major redevelopments/replacement structures after 2040. Please see Kathy’s response to to our questions and areas needing further clarification.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on adopting the final Safety Element Amendments Section 6.4 – Local Coastal Program for Beaches and Bluffs on Wednesday, January 28th, @ 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisor Chamber on the 5th floor of the County Building, located at 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. There have been substantial changes from prior draft approved by the Planning Commissioners, there are apparent discrepancies between the LCP and Code Amendments, and a number of issues still require further clarification. CPOA will be meeting with Kathy Molloy and David Carlson on Friday 1/10/20 to present alternative language regarding the only one time redevelopment/replacement structure > 50% of major structural components, and to address other outstanding issues and concerns requiring further clarification in the final LCP. We will keep you updated. We urge you to attend this important Board of Supervisor’s meeting on January 28, 2020 @ 9:30 a.m..