17.40.060 Standards for coastal protection structures.
A. Except for a few facilities associated with sand mining, there currently is little capital investment to be threatened by erosion along Marina’s shoreline. The face of the dunes is subject to wave erosion, so future development shall be placed beyond the area vulnerable both to wave erosion and tsunami hazard. This setback shall be great enough to protect the economic life of the proposed development (at least fifty years) and be east of the tsunami hazard zone. The exact extent of this setback shall be determined by a qualified geologist, selected from an approved list compiled and maintained by the city. Because of variation from site to site, the setback line shall be determined at the time development of a site or parcel is proposed.
B. Protective structures are not recommended in Marina; however, if they should ever be necessary, standards shall be established to insure that the type of protection, location, design and other factors are considered. In determining if it is suitable to issue a coastal permit for a shoreline structure, the following shall be addressed: (1) alternatives to a protective structure shall be determined and evaluated by appropriate specialists first; and (2) an EIR/EIS shall be required on the proposed structure. The EIR/EIS shall address specific issues of Local Coastal Land Use Plan concern, construction and maintenance. The environmental evaluation and mitigations shall be prepared by qualified specialists and shall address at a minimum the following specific issues and design considerations.
C. Specific Issues.
1. Demonstrate the need for a protective structure, review alternatives and determine why each alternative is unsuitable.
2. Evaluate the impact on sand migration and replenishment, potential changes in erosion rates elsewhere along the coast resulting from the proposed construction, removal of dune vegetation, drainage, etc.
3. Evaluate the impact of the protective structure on beach use (does it block or obstruct the sandy beach; what will the shoreline look like from land and sea, etc.?).
4. Determine the effect of the structure’s presence on recreation uses.
5. Determine the effect of the structure on access to and along the beach or shoreline; determine that level of access provided will be consistent with the city’s local coastal policies.
6. Determine effects of protective structure on rare and endangered species in the foredune and dune area.
D. Design Considerations.
1. Mitigate identified environmental impacts, particularly with respect to sand migration patterns, additional shoreline and wind erosion problems which might result from the project, and loss of habitat for rare and endangered plant and animal species.
2. Safe public access shall be designed into the protective structure, so that movement along the beach parallel to the water will remain possible at all water levels. If the proposed structure will cross a vertical access corridor identified by the access component of the LCLUP, access from the nearest public road to the shoreline across the protective structure shall also be provided.
3. Surfaces creating an uneven, rugged or textured appearance to break the force of the water should be used as much as feasible.
4. Structures shall be designed to physically and visually blend into the area protected. Consideration shall be given to texture, materials, color, view from and to the sea, etc.
5. Drainage from land to sea shall be evaluated and necessary structural accommodations made.
E. Mitigations for these effects and others identified in the EIR/EIS for each proposed shoreline structure shall be required to be met by the project prior to issuing a coastal permit for construction. (Ord. 2020-07 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2007-11 § 3 (Exh. A), 2007)