City to update local coastal program for Cliff Drive resiliency; grant-funded work to follow

City planning staff told the Capitola Planning Commission on Aug. 21 that the city’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) requires an update tied to the Cliff Drive Resiliency Project and that a public draft is available online. The LCP contains two parts — a land use plan and an implementation plan (zoning within the coastal zone) — and staff said both documents need revision to account for increased coastal erosion, sea level rise and adaptation planning.

Staff said the city received grant funding from the California Coastal Commission to support the LCP update and the Cliff Drive project, and that the grant covers both planning work and match funds for technical studies. The city’s public-works department is preparing a sea-level-rise study, and staff indicated follow-on grant applications will be needed for design and implementation work over the next two to three years.

Staff also reported editorial cleanups in the LCP, including updating references from the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way to the Regional Transportation Commission railroad corridor, and removing cross-references that no longer apply.

Public outreach and schedule: staff held a community meeting on Aug. 12 and expects to bring the LCP amendments to the Planning Commission on Sept. 4 and for subsequent City Council hearings in October. Staff posted the public draft and supporting materials on the community development web page and encouraged interested residents and stakeholders to review and comment.