Do you remember voting for members of the California Coastal Commission? This is the group that CONTROLS zoning, permits and building from the ocean to miles inland. Oh, that is right—the members are all appointed, none responsible to the public.
“Among the examples cited in the report are denials and long delays for housing projects and bicycle lanes.
In February, the commission denied approval for an eight-unit condominium in the Venice area of Los Angeles, a mile from the beach, saying the project “is not consistent with the community character of the surrounding area.” Other affordable housing projects in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz have been delayed for years.”
Is it any wonder that developers are moving out of California? Would you want to build anything knowing it could years and lots of special studies to approve a money losing project?
Report: California Coastal Commission Often Stymies Affordable Housing Plans
by Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, 6/16/24 https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2024/06/15/report-california-coastal-commission-often-stymies-affordable-housing-plans/#google_vignette
A new report by a nonprofit San Diego think tank suggests the California Coastal Commission stymies plans for affordable housing and climate-friendly transportation in coastal areas.
The study “A Better Coastal Commission” by Circulate San Diego was released Friday, with Assemblymember David Alvarez lending his support to the findings.
“The Coastal Commission is supposed to protect the environment and coastal access for all Californians. But its actions have excluded Californians from the coast and made climate change worse,” said Will Moore, policy counsel for Circulate San Diego and primary author of the report.
Among the examples cited in the report are denials and long delays for housing projects and bicycle lanes.
In February, the commission denied approval for an eight-unit condominium in the Venice area of Los Angeles, a mile from the beach, saying the project “is not consistent with the community character of the surrounding area.” Other affordable housing projects in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz have been delayed for years.
In San Diego County, the report found the commission had stalled marked bicycle lanes in Pt. Loma and Encinitas despite serious accidents on the roads.
The report listed six recommendations, including removing special exemptions for housing development in the coastal zone, and urged the state Legislature to take action.
“We need the Coastal Commission to live up to its mission and its rhetoric. We hope this report pushes it to do better,” said Moore.
The only real benefit for having a Costal Commission is to reward friends and family members with a nothing job from the State with a big paycheck. California should pass a law, plain and simple, that there will be no new c0nstruction of any kind within 1 mile of the ocean, lake or river shoreline. The law should include that any structure already within the 1 mile limit can be remolded providing there is no change in the foot print.