Report: California Coastal Commission Often Stymies Affordable Housing Plans

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 he 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 breach, 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.