SAN DIEGO — A new report accuses the California Coastal Commission of standing in the way of affordable housing and climate-friendly projects such as bike lanes.
The report, called "A Better Coastal Commission," was written by Circulate San Diego. It cites examples of affordable housing projects in the Los Angeles area that have been held up for years by the California Coastal Commission.
The report also includes claims the commission is making it difficult to get a protected bike lane installed along a busy stretch of West Point Loma Boulevard. Circulate San Diego points out a 41-year-old cyclist was seriously injured last year after being hit by an SUV in that area.
"The mission of the coastal commission and the image we have is of this great environmental institution. That is not how they behave," said Will Moore, Policy Counsel for Circulate San Diego.
He said the delays caused by the coastal commission cost a lot of money. He said developers have told him they don't even bother trying to develop in the coastal areas because they know how difficult it is to get anything off the ground.
CBS 8 reached out to the coastal commission for comment. A spokesperson said the commission didn't deny any of the five project examples listed in the Circulate San Diego Report. She said of all coastal development permits issued by local governments every year, only about 5 % get appealed to the Coastal Commission.
The commission also released the following statement:
"Circulate San Diego’s recent report significantly misrepresents the California Coastal Commission’s track record on affordable housing. The agency has been and continues to be deeply committed to equity, environmental justice and affordable housing in the Coastal Zone.
Without background or context, the report fails to provide credible evidence and cherry picks a handful of cases to paint an erroneous picture that the Commission does not approve density bonus projects or support affordable housing. The reality is very different. Density bonus projects are regularly approved in the Coastal Zone every year by local governments and the commission.
We have and will continue to proactively work with local governments and developers to find opportunities to increase the availability of affordable housing in the coastal zone, ensure coastal resources are protected and ensure that the beach is accessible to all Californians. These priorities are not mutually exclusive."
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