Commission sends Carlsbad emergency revetment extension to full hearing

The City of Carlsbad asked the Commission to extend its authorization for a 530 foot long rock revetment along a hazardous stretch of Carlsbad Blvd. - originally placed in 2016 via emergency permits - by seven years, from six years to a total of thirteen. Staff proposed to process the request as an immaterial amendment through the Deputy Director's Report, which would have approved it without a hearing.

Surfrider objected. The revetment was permitted in 2018 as a temporary measure, conditioned on the City developing a long-term plan to realign this vulnerable stretch of road and preserve the beach. The City made strong progress toward that goal between 2020 and 2024, then stopped, citing a lack of grant funding. Meanwhile, this marks the City’s third request to extend the timeline. Surfrider's comment letter and testimony showed that the City is financially healthy, that it has continued to fund other coastal projects nearby, and that a seven-year extension would remove the deadline pressure the original permit was designed to create.

The comments and presentation made an impact. Commissioner O'Malley came out quickly in support of Surfrider's request, joined by Commissioners Lowenberg and Jackson. A lively debate followed between the Commissioners and staff, who brought Carlsbad's Director of Transportation into the conversation to answer questions. Ultimately six Commissioners raised doubts about processing the amendment as immaterial, with Hart, Kelley, and Smith joining the first three. The amendment will return as a material amendment for a full public hearing at a future meeting.

You can read Surfrider's comment letter and learn more about the campaign on the San Diego Chapter's page. Video of the comments is embedded below. The first covers the entire 30 minute exchange, which was unexpectedly lively for a Commission that usually votes as a bloc. For those with less time, the second video highlights Surfrider's public comments only.

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This was a win for grassroots advocacy. The ActCoastal coalition supports Commission staff recommendations most of the time, and for good reason. Staff do excellent work, and their recommendations usually reflect the best balance achievable under the Coastal Act. This was one of the occasions where public engagement moved an outcome beyond what the staff report proposed.

Getting a full hearing means the extension will now be evaluated on its merits, in public, with the City on record about its intentions for this stretch of coast. That gives the Commission and the public the opportunity to hold Carlsbad accountable to the conditions it agreed to, and it keeps the pressure on for the long-term solution this hazard hotspot needs, which is relocating the road and restoring a natural, resilient beach.

When advocates show up, do the homework, and make the case clearly, the Commission listens. That is worth remembering the next time a decision that matters is headed for a consent vote.

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