Back off the beach and the rising sea? No way some California cities say!

Apr 29, 2020 | Articles - Misc, California Coastal Commision News, San Diego County

The City of Del Mar and surrounding communities are apposed to being forced to consider moving all structures away from the beaches and cliffs, to allow for rising sea levels. As long the the California Coastal Commission insists that their Local Coastal Plan includes the concept of “managed retreat”, the city of Del Mar and property owners are apposed to any further revisions to their LCP to address sea level rise. According the the Pacific Legal Foundation, the commission has been heavy-handed, favoring relocation over armoring the coast with sea walls, jettys and other barriers intended to protect homes. Coastal property owners have the right to protect their properties with appropriate armoring devices, until it is no longer possible.

CCC pushes homes back from the ocean bluffs

Apr 6, 2020 | Articles - Misc, California Coastal Commision News, California Coastal News, San Diego County

In a recent decision the California 4th District Court of Appeal sided with the California Coastal Commission on the 60-foot mandate for set back of new home on coastal bluff in Encinitas, Southern California. The property owner will not be able to rely on any shoreline protection, and must build the new home 60 feet from the bluff’s edge to meet the 75 year projected coastal erosion. A couple, who recent bought this property for $1.8M had hopes of building a new home overlooking the cliffs and beaches with only a 30 – 40 foot set back. But now, they must move the structure farther inland with no views of the cliffs or ocean surf. This is what could happen to Santa Cruz Coastal Property owners, if the County does not get a revised Local Coastal Plan approved by the CCC.

California is suing a silicon valley billionaire for blocking public access to beach

Jan 8, 2020 | Articles - Misc, California Coastal Commision News, California Coastal News

CNN & LA Times have published an article about Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla, who purchased a large parcel of coastal property south of Half Moon Bay, two large pieces of land next to the popular Martin’s beach, which happened to contain the only viable public path to the shore. He has blocked the only public access path to the beach, and refuses to give access because the public leave their trash on the beach. He has been fighting these legal battles over access for over 20 years, and now the California Coastal Commission, and California State Lands Commission are suing him in the CA Supreme Court over public right of way.

Coastal Commission’s Response letter to the Board of Supervisors re the final LCP

Dec 10, 2019 | California Coastal Commision News, Meetings, Santa Cruz County

The California Coastal Commission has submitted a letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors regarding the proposed final LCP. CCC wants the definition of > 50% change to major structural components to be calculated singularly (> 50% change to foundation, or > 50% to framing/exterior walls, or > 50% change to roof framing) instead of collectively. Second, they want the County to be aggressive in forcing the removal of all rip rap (revetment) rocks for new or redevelopment in favor of modern vertical seawalls, which meet CCC standards. Third, they want the concept of manged retreat to be addressed more clearly.

Notes From CCC Local Government Workshop 7/12/19

Jul 17, 2019 | California Coastal Commision News

Notes taken by Steve Forer, President, CPOA-SC, do not necessarily represent the proceedings of the workshop or views of the participants. Audio Transcripts can be obtained from CCC, upon written request.

There were 12 CC Commissioners and 13 County and City officials from all over CA present, along with over 120 public and special interest organization representatives. Surfrider’s Association has over 12 representatives from different chapters present to provide public comment. There was only one hour allowed for public comment and each person was allowed only 1 minute. The rest of the workshop was dedicated to an exchange of issues and concerns between the CCC and local government officials. There were three topics on the Agenda: 1) Short Term Vacation Rentals (STRs), 2) Sea Level Rise (SLR), and 3) Local Coastal Program (LCP) Development Process. Below is a summary of the issues raised and identified goals for next steps.