Local Coastal Plan Update

Elizabeth Bar-El, AICPSenior Planner, Project Manager

Cary FukuiAssistant Planner

Planning Commission MeetingJanuary 6, 2016

The California Coastal Act of 1976:What is it and What does it do?

California Coastal Commission (CCC) was established in 1972 by voter initiative (Prop 20). Its mission: "To protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the

environment of the California coastline."

1976 Coastal Act: extended CCC indefinitely, tasked with protecting coastal resources, including: shoreline public access and recreation, lower cost visitor accommodations, terrestrial and marine habitat visual resources, landform alteration, agricultural lands, commercial fisheries, industrial uses, water quality, offshore

oil and gas development, transportation, development design, power plants, ports, and public works.

The California Coastal Act of 1976:What is it and What does it do?

The CCC exercises its purview through the Coastal Development Permit process.

The Coastal Act provides for local jurisdictions to develop a Local Coastal Plan for their coastal zones and submit to the CCC to certify that the LCP complies with the State Coastal Act. Once certified, coastal development permits are

processed locally as part of the City permit process.

Santa Monica last prepared a plan in 1992. The full LCP was not certified.

1. Land Use Plan (LUP)Issues, Goals, Policies

2. Implementation Plan (IP)Coastal Zoning Ordinance

Santa Monica has a certified LUP that guides coastal approvals.

Santa Monica does not have an Implementation Plan.

Local Coastal Plan

The LUP does not reflect the current conditions of Santa Monica;

The LUP needs to be updated to reflect City primary policy objectives;

The City received a $225,000 grant from the Coastal Commission for the project

A certified Implementation Plan is needed for the CCC to transfer coastal permitting authority to the City rather than a two-step sequence

Why Update the LCP Now?

Planning will review for: consistency with certified LCP Zoning compliance review will be conducted simultaneously with the coastal IP review.

CCC retains authority over: Submerged lands, tidelands.Appealable to CCC:• Area within 300 feet of bluffs

or to first public road.All other: Council has final decision.

With a certified LCP: A New City Process

Evaluate projects based on current conditions and data

Coastal Zoning Ordinance requirements that are consistent with the City’s planning direction

Land use policies that comply with State Coastal Act and regulate coastal activity based on best management practices for stewarding coastal resources through changing climate conditions.

With a certified LCP: An ordinance that fosters coastal stewardship

City StaffLiz Bar-El, Project ManagerCary Fukui, Project Assistant

ConsultantsDudek (Alison Evans, PM)Lisa Wise, Alan SeltzerDavid Revell, Ph.D.

City Interdepartmental TeamPCDOSECCSHED

Public WorksCity ManagerCity Attorney

Coordination with CCC Staff

The LCP Team Structure

Where we are at in the process:

November 12, 2014:August 27, 2015:

September 1, 2015:October 27, 2015:

November 2015: December 2015:

January 2016:

CCC Grant Awarded to Santa MonicaRFP ReleasedHired LCP Assistant PlannerDudek Contract complete; NTPIdentified issues; 1st meeting with CCC staffOutreach planning; web page createdPlanning Commission presentation

Key Issues for the LCP Update

• Focus on Mobility and Access; Broaden from Focus on Beach Parking

• Consistency with Specific Plans

• Anticipate Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Impacts; Plan for Adaptation

• Address Low-Cost Visitor Accommodations

Current LCP is auto-oriented:

The previous LCP was written in 1992 and does not reflect transportation conditions in Santa Monica

Shift to multi-modal mobility

Policies to reflect goals and values

Mobility & Access

LUCE

Downtown Specific Plan

Civic Center Specific Plan

Pedestrian Action Plan

Bike Action Plan

City’s Active Transportation Policy Planning

New LCP will reflect and support these policies to develop Coastal Area regulations.

An Integrated Approach to Parking

Parking for the beach need not be at the beach:

The 1992 LCP views beach parking as that which is west of PCH.

Most parking lots in Downtown Santa Monica are no more than a ¼ mile walk from the beach

Sea Level Rise & Climate Adaptation

New Design Guidelines and Potential Regulations:

Work with the USC Sea Grant Team (OSE project) to assess the risk of Sea Level Rise and impact from storm events in Santa Monica

Develop Appropriate Regulations for Affected Land Uses

Protect Important Infrastructure and Plan.

Sea Level Rise & Climate Adaptation

North Beach

South Beach

100 YR storm in 2016 (0cm SLR)100 YR storm in 2030 (50cm SLR)

100 YR storm in 2050 (100cm SLR)100 YR storm in 2100 (200cm SLR)

Low-Cost Accommodation

The Coastal Commission is interested in maintaining and encouraging low-cost accommodations through tools such as:

Evaluating in-lieu fee for removing low-cost accommodations

Planning for future use of collected fees

Identifying affordable options within close proximity to access the beach, even if not directly in the coastal zone.

Project Highlights & Timeline

January to April 2016: April to June 2016:June to July 2016:

July to October 2016: Nov. to December 2016:

January 2017:February 2017:

April/May 2017:May 2017:

Community Outreach Phase IPrepare LUP Framework and IP OutlineRelease Framework; Commission/Council presentations Prepare and Release Draft LCPCommunity Outreach Phase II Release Final DraftPC Recommendation HearingCity Council Adoption HearingSubmit to CCC for Certification

Three Topics for Outreach Phase I:

1: Introduction to the Local Coastal Plan

2: Coordinated outreach with the Downtown Specific Plan:

Approach to visitor services and accommodations; mobility and parking

3: Presentation in coordination with USC Sea Grant and OSE to model future coastal scenarios based on changing

climate conditions

OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY

Thank You

Elizabeth Bar-El, AICPSenior Planner

Cary FukuiAssistant Planner

Planning Commission MeetingLocal Coastal Plan UpdateJanuary 6, 2016