[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6166538,"mediaKeyId","5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d","parentId",5415337,"title","City schedules Cliff Drive resiliency community meeting; staff flags climate adaptation planning work","audioSeconds",3840,"startMs",668000,"endMs",4508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d&start=668&end=4508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d/thumbnail_668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166538/Capitola-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/City-schedules-Cliff-Drive-resiliency-community-meeting-staff-flags-climate-adaptation-planning-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166538-9c6ccfb22000fca728d98f4105062b3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440805&Signature=fCCjDvyiQQTfWi82G1hWvgkgnw3oxMGZy87MpuyWl53J6xp49op29TBN4dzpPVxrPF8ks1fDAxyQ8XBjJgLPjA06yj-N7Pn8RCh0AS8BMjS7Z7Dtt7jR9bJ8RHw6lkU1T1-1t7z7KVzt99wTgCkgxkldC8x~8Up~b1P86~b3ZTfHjhS0lnvdeYBCsYXE7MQzQlfLX5R9zfFX1mVDfOWmYr~ip3to7uxg48kjvn53RkCmi~DD8G2MiTcjJw~dQCPlx7VZJYl16arA-4YfQzY55rpIzoBlaBR3V~13byANuD714wZfv9hPceFxUoR~P1~4~pNZOvkVAG-Ni97Z7fQO3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Capitola, California","date","2025-07-18T03:26:08.647Z","article","City planning staff told the Capitola Planning Commission on July 17 that a community meeting on the Cliff Drive resiliency project will be held Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. in the community room next to the council chambers. The project is tied to a Coastal Commission grant and will require updates to the city’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) and long‑range coastal land‑use documents, staff said.
Staff said draft LCP and land‑use plan updates will be brought to the commission — likely in September — and that public drafts would follow the August community meeting. The director reported the city’s public works department has applied for climate adaptation planning grant funds; the first step will be a sea‑level‑rise study followed by a climate adaptation plan to meet state requirements. The city intends to start zoning updates and a request for proposals for related work this year.
Planning staff also announced an Aug. 21 City Council update on Cliff Drive resiliency and said changes in department naming and staffing are underway: the Building, Planning and Economic Development department name will be shortened to Community and Economic Development, and senior planner Bridal Fraylik is leaving the department. The director praised Fraylik’s work and said the commission will see LCP/LUP updates in the fall.
Staff emphasized meetings and documents will be posted on the city website and that the Aug. 12 community meeting will provide detailed plans and draft updates for public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Capitola Planning Commission Meeting - 07/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff announced an August 12 community meeting on the Cliff Drive resiliency project, upcoming Local Coastal Program and land use plan updates, and a broader climate adaptation planning process tied to a state requirement and grant applications.","taxTitle","Capitola City, Santa Cruz County, California","taxId",68972,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166543,"Commission approves buried pin‑pier wall to protect Opal Cliff Drive condominium",1147,3346000,4493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d&start=3346&end=4493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d/thumbnail_3346000.jpg","/articles/6166543/Capitola-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Commission-approves-buried-pinpier-wall-to-protect-Opal-Cliff-Drive-condominium","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166543-e1c4d98478b3944dae0db77f91a44173/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440805&Signature=Kmi~MA7V7M6hwaE~V-WRQ-3gRn9MeuPtc9yojwCcqOA6oblr0ciLp0b7dPeNTMJADl0zdXmujiZ7F0nQILcXDM9Gwe31mEpitcfZGQWO7RVwk6QCJSYZ1i8vxbvPPT9iRosATcUZzFOWtkk6qB~ZkokwLJ56xoO1GmglsiGUZ762Xbuo4VNu8~QrdzP~XUmTp-dLU9pDM8XclZ~BC3bxvJUPwuQLedP0LcjwyaYS09Lr9NIkQUlN5JC6nUKulS5IUcgZp56lBDqqPopTOhSmwjqHmNtyruYZ7p4ZqeMdoUjpMTbKVtLBXhhZJhBiygSRP8TNByvqTqHBLMhqpOs9vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Capitola Planning Commission on July 17 unanimously approved a Coastal Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for a buried pin‑pier wall system to protect a 12‑unit condominium at 4820 Opal Cliff Drive after staff, the applicant and an outside geotechnical reviewer resolved technical comments.
Staff said the proposal responds to a significant erosion event tied to 2022–2023 storms that left the bluff in proximity to the building and that the building predates the Coastal Act; staff and the applicant agreed that the structure qualifies as protection for existing development under the local coastal program. The approved design calls for 28 drilled piers at 4‑foot centers down roughly 47 feet to bedrock, tied by a cast‑in‑place grade beam, and 18 tensioned tiebacks at about 25 degrees and 58 feet in length.
Cotton Shires, a contracted geotechnical reviewer, requested deeper piers and steeper tieback angles; the applicant revised the design in response. Staff also consulted Coastal Commission staff, which requested the pier locations be shifted farther from the building; the applicant moved the piers to roughly 9.5 feet from the building as requested.
An HOA board member, John Kazam, told the commission the association had worked through consultants, contractor selection and a special homeowner vote to raise funds and that the building is in “imminent danger” of compromise from further bluff collapse. Kazam said the association initially sought an emergency CDP but was redirected to the regular process because of timing and project complexity.
Applicant and staff presentations described the finished wall as largely buried with minimal visibility above grade, and staff said contractor means, methods and phasing details were provided to address staging near the bluff edge; contractor staging is proposed primarily within the condominium parking lot rather than public street staging. Conditions require a final landscape plan and additional construction sequencing details to reduce vegetation loss and manage equipment movement.
Commissioners asked about equipment size and staging; staff noted the drill rig would have roughly an 8‑foot track width and would be moved in a sequenced pattern with clustered drilling to minimize movement along the work area. Staff said Coastal Commission staff had been kept informed and that the applicant had addressed the Coastal Commission’s technical memo.
A motion to approve application 02/50231 carried unanimously on roll call (Commissioner Howard yes, Commissioner Que aye, Chair Esty aye). The applicant and HOA representatives said they plan to pursue longer‑term regional solutions in coordination with adjacent property owners and the Coastal Commission but regard the pin‑pier wall as the practicable near‑term protection for the existing structure.","The Planning Commission unanimously approved a buried pin‑pier and grade‑beam system to protect a 12‑unit condominium at 4820 Opal Cliff Drive, after geotechnical review recommended deeper piers and a larger tieback angle; the condo association said the building is in imminent danger from bluff erosion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166548,"Planning Commission approves demolition and new home at 302 Grand Avenue with variances",1166,2289000,3455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d&start=2289&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d/thumbnail_2289000.jpg","/articles/6166548/Capitola-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-demolition-and-new-home-at-302-Grand-Avenue-with-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166548-469bcfa31bb0f670defe634ad5dde376/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440805&Signature=HPYCrXotP7m-SbJQRVG7KKfL-nnfNsLyMyybP856yFRK~UkXx7n9kpJ6mzoiiz39Z7mnmtTP-wkg9cHgl5L8NPus-nbYvra2dPrqVxeqSCoScq2x7SK7xtW8LM9Ex6LjXPKcgEyW1sPmfp~eU0cCvR4CNT-i9D1PKh288GfVsQhsb~sp-E5HYnJVbRjGADSgxBMke-MyTtM5JaLf4ygVc8~N7ArZskCwNl9P0JOI9oYFer6bmhhJ2~dfHyAU-fBFWyrySULQlhmIWWaEdspI1vem8Lq4qxYQ1v~JVGYfAHRA46ITOtnvp3b1NeuGYhSWwJl0aOZ0E2I9l9vjWb6mLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Capitola Planning Commission on July 17 voted to approve a demolition and rebuild of the single‑family property at 302 Grand Avenue, granting a Coastal Development Permit, design approval and variance requests that reduce required parking and rear/street‑side setbacks.
Staff told the commission the property had recently been removed from the city’s list of potential historic resources after review by a contracted architectural historian, freeing the owner to seek demolition. Staff also described a geologic hazard overlay landward of the bluff and noted the front of the property is treated as the bluff side for zoning purposes.
The project proposes to demolish the existing residence (saving the detached garage) and construct a new home that reuses some architectural elements of the prior house. The owner proposes one on‑site covered parking space (where code requires two) and requested reduced setbacks for the garage because the lot has limited street access: Grand Avenue is abandoned in this segment and Saxon Avenue has a closure and fence that limit vehicle access. Staff said previous lot‑line adjustments and flag‑lot patterns along this stretch have created recurring nonconforming conditions.
Staff reviewed the variance findings, focusing on unique circumstances (limited access, retained mature olive trees that would be removed if the garage were relocated, and the site’s flagged lot geometry) and concluded the requests did not constitute special privileges because similar nonconformities exist along adjacent bluff properties. Commissioners asked about drainage and geotechnical protections; the applicant’s representatives said geotechnical and civil engineers will use light equipment and static compaction methods to reduce vibration risks, and drainage will be directed toward the Saxon side into a seepage pit to avoid directing runoff toward the bluff.
A motion to approve the project passed on roll call: Commissioner Howard (yes), Commissioner Que (aye), Chair Esty (aye). Staff said final conditions and findings will govern construction, mitigation measures and required engineering reports.
The commission noted the owners had engaged nearby neighbors and that the project retained two mature olive trees as proposed. The planning staff confirmed the historian engaged for the delisting was Seth Bergstein and that the historic review documents are available at the planning office.","The commission approved a coastal development permit, design permit and variances to demolish an existing single‑family house (delisted as a historic resource) at 302 Grand Avenue and build a new residence, including reduced parking and setback variances tied to lot access constraints and retained olive trees.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166554,"Planning Commission approves RTC fence along Park Avenue bluff after split vote",1600,799000,2399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d&start=799&end=2399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415337-4f9267ffdba1d3b81c4fd6650054b78d/thumbnail_799000.jpg","/articles/6166554/Capitola-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-RTC-fence-along-Park-Avenue-bluff-after-split-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166554-d13c25ece37b83548e4257a783cafeeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440805&Signature=NUp1EqzL9cJUo-TPusYZnXZr29ewfb4GqzVkwRoroYbzoVyIXaq~Weh1zcMEiyf78B8qDoxxEavdccWhyD~3TxelxUNTbRGPPB9xjfmRkuqQIvi~wVqDzaofVMXcyQUR8at5u4Ng7hKYYs906vCHtUpf0I5Yb38fdq6fb6WBZwVtLgq0pmcgZrFm3LDgbGDLEFz~PVrBjh3PLK~AjhdTFWYCnZSaqWKYpiqt8Q6VQ3paXzehd6tMjgVk-I6UdAkAz5bwHK4cLhqNWULYLENAcDiLxbzveoBEbEIi4MisaZk2yqgPxy4mjXdMBLHgPHalt0uCWNcGyTcKou3rajukng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Capitola Planning Commission on July 17 approved a coastal development and fence permit for a roughly 1,200-foot, 4-foot-high fence along the Park Avenue bluff, in a 2–1 vote that split commissioners and drew extended public comment. The commission approved the permit for property owned by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC).
The commission and staff said the RTC applied for the Coastal Development Permit because the proposed fence lies near an eroding coastal bluff and no exemption applied. Staff described public safety and bluff instability as the primary reasons for the fence, and said the RTC provided three design concepts; the RTC will choose materials later.
The approval followed oral comments from RTC staff clarifying construction and safety goals and multiple public speakers who urged the commission to preserve informal access and views. Resident Bob Hickman said RTC should maintain the property and keep the bench, asking, “Why do they want to remove that? That’s a beautiful bench to sit on and enjoy the beautiful views.” Longtime Park Avenue resident Terry Thomas said he opposed the fence and warned construction could worsen bluff erosion.
RTC staff on Zoom said fence placement responds to areas of steep bluff and undermining and that pump‑track bike jumps on the volunteer trail would be removed in order to place the fence in the proposed alignment. The RTC indicated signage currently out on the corridor would be replaced and said the fence is intended as a visible deterrent, not an impenetrable barrier.
During deliberations commissioners voiced the tradeoff between public safety and traditional access. One commissioner said multiple fatalities on Santa Cruz County bluffs in recent years — including at least one at Park Avenue — informed the safety rationale; staff said specific Park Avenue numbers were not available in the presentation. Commissioners discussed whether staggered openings could preserve viewpoints, with staff and RTC representatives responding that intermittent openings would defeat the safety purpose.
The motion to approve the RTC application was moved, seconded and carried on a roll call vote: Yes — Commissioner Que and Chair Esty; No — Commissioner Howard. The motion approved the project based on the staff-recommended conditions and findings.
The commission and RTC staff noted the fence alignment follows an existing volunteer clearing and places the barrier inland of the most unstable bluff edge to increase the structure’s expected service life. RTC said the design would be selected later based on cost and longevity, and that construction would remove some existing informal trail features and necessitate replacement or removal of vegetation where staging occurs.
The commission’s approval is limited to the permit and attached conditions; staff noted later coordination with the Coastal Commission and follow-up landscape and construction method details will be required to minimize erosion and vegetation loss. The RTC representative said longer-term, coordinated bluff solutions would be more complex and would require additional permits and property coordination downcoast.
The commission’s discussion and the public comments made clear the decision balances public safety concerns and irreversible changes to informal coastal access and viewpoints.","The Capitola Planning Commission approved a 1,200-foot, 4-foot-high fence proposed by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to limit access to an eroding Park Avenue coastal bluff. The vote was 2–1 amid public objections about lost views, removal of informal trails and bike jumps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City schedules Cliff Drive resiliency community meeting; staff flags climate adaptation planning work

Commission approves buried pin‑pier wall to protect Opal Cliff Drive condominium

Planning Commission approves demolition and new home at 302 Grand Avenue with variances

Planning Commission approves RTC fence along Park Avenue bluff after split vote