Oct 21, 2022 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The Commissioners voted (9:0) to reject the Santa Cruz County’s proposed LCP Amendments, and sided with the Surfriders, and recommendations on the CCC Staff Report. The CCC Staff report asserted that the LCP Amendments were poorly written, with many internal inconsistencies, were not consistent with the Coastal Act (1977), which generally prohibits any new shoreline armoring, and most existing armoring may need to be removed to allow managed retreat to preserve the public beaches as sea level rises.
Oct 12, 2022 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The County staff is committed to pursuing the clearest and quickest route to getting an LCP amendment certified by the Coastal Commission which is reasonable and feasible for the County to implement to address sea level rise, and to continue to meet with CCC staff and major stakeholders to reach consensus where possible. It is imperative that the LCP amendment effort which has taken over 6 years to get to this point, not be abandoned.
Oct 4, 2022 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CPOA’s letter to CCC outlines our position on the following topics as part of the County’s Proposed LCP Amendments, scheduled for a CCC Hearing on 10/14/22.
Major Differences between CCC’s Position vs. County Proposed LCP: CPOA’s Response to:
A. CCC’s definition of “existing structures” being those structures which were present prior to the Coastal Act (January 1, 1977).
B. No new armoring for existing structures or redevelopment in coastal hazard zones.
C. Existing Armoring (Revetment Rocks) along East Cliff Dr. between the Harbor and Soquel Point may need to be removed as the public beaches shrink due to sea level rise.
D. The requirement for all property owners with existing shoreline protection (seawalls or revetment rocks) to file a “Monitoring, Maintenance, and Repair Plan (MMRP)” and to routinely inspect, maintain, and repair the shoreline structures and prevent any seaward migration.
E. When necessary, managed retreat to move structures inland to preserve public access and beaches.
F. Shoreline Protection Exception Area (SPEA). The County had proposed a “Shoreline Protection Exception Area, extending approximately 1.4 miles from Soquel Point (APN # 028-304-72) to the Capitola City border.
Aug 18, 2021 | California Coastal Commision News, Pajaro Dunes, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The Proposed Santa Cruz County LCP Amendments for Coast Beaches & Bluffs have been filed with the Coastal Commission, who is scheduled to meet with County officials in the next few weeks to discuss identified issues and timing for changes. The CCC Hearing on the County LCP Amendments will most likely be delayed from this Fall until Early Winter 2022. For more information, contact Kevin Kahn, at CCC: kevin.kahn@coastal.ca.gov
Mar 18, 2021 | California Coastal Commision News, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
CPOA requested an update from the California Coastal Commission’s on their review of the proposed amendments to Santa Cruz County’s Local Coastal Program relating to coastal bluffs and beaches (land use plan section 6.4) and geologic hazards (implementation plan chapter 16.10). No date has been set for CCC hearing as of yet on the proposed amendments.
Nov 14, 2020 | Meetings, Santa Cruz City, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point Building Limits, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
Nov 13, 2020 | Meetings, Pajaro Dunes, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
At the CPOA Annual Zoom Meeting 11/12/20, David Carlson from the Santa Cruz County Planning Dept responded to questions raised by CPOA members regarding the recently approved Local Coastal Plan documents. A recording of this Zoom meeting with discussion from the 11/12/20 meeting will be posted on the CPOA website shortly.
Oct 26, 2020 | Articles - Misc, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Building Limits, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point Building Limits, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
According to an article in the “Santa Cruz Local” , the California Coastal Commission will consider the LCP proposed by Santa Cruz County. If the Coastal Commission accepts changes to a Local Coastal Program that was approved unanimously by Santa Cruz County supervisors in September, the county will be on the vanguard of local governments in the state that are trying to manage expected sea-level rise. The changes try to strike a balance between sea-level-rise management, beach access and oceanfront property owners’ rights to redevelop and protect their homes.
Sep 30, 2020 | Meetings, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
We will be discussing the latest approved version of the Local Coast Plan documents. Please plan to participate. We have invited County Supervisors John Leopold, Zach Friend, Kathy Molloy and David Carlson from the Planning Department to participate.
Sep 15, 2020 | Meetings, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County: Capitola / Depot Hill, Santa Cruz County: Coastal Access / Public Right-Of-Way, Santa Cruz County: Opal Cliffs, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point / East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz County: Pleasure Point Building Limits, Santa Cruz County: Rio del Mar / Aptos
The Board of Supervisors approved the proposed LCP, which will be sent to the CCC for review and comment. It is expected that the CCC will request significant changes and send it back to the County to accept or reject the CCC requested changes. At that time, there should be another opportunity for public comment, before the Board of Supervisors finalizes the LCP. This process is expected to take 90 days to one year to complete.
