After reviewing technical constraints and funding limits, the Capitola City Council on Aug. 28 endorsed a phased approach to the Cliff Drive resiliency project that focuses first on the most-urgent bluff segment where storm damage was observed in 2023.

Staff and consultants presented studies showing the full “continuous bluff protection” concept would be costly and could not be completed with current federal emergency-relief and coastal-grant funding alone. Instead, staff proposed a Phase 1 package that would address the stretch nearest the lower parking area and stabilize the toe of the slope with rock protection, a shot-crete tieback wall and related works; the design includes temporary pedestrian and bicycle safety measures while the city seeks additional funds for later phases.

Staff emphasized permitting and environmental constraints: the site lacks an exposed sandy beach at the bluff base, which complicates placement of permanent rock revetments and requires careful wave-reflection analysis. Robert Stevens, the city’s coastal consultant, described how a properly designed rock-slope protection (riprap) at the toe can attenuate wave energy and reduce reflection that would otherwise threaten adjacent structures.

Council and staff discussed coastal-access features, including the Hooper Street stairs, which were damaged during winter storms and are not included in Phase 1 but are in the longer-term design. Staff said Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendments are required to implement the project and that planning commission hearings on the LCP changes will precede council certification and permitting. The city is seeking extensions from Caltrans/FHWA to match the federal emergency-relief funding timeline to the permitting schedule.

Council directed staff to proceed with Phase 1 design and to return with LCP amendment materials and a clear phased plan showing the scope of future phases, funding needs and potential impacts on adjacent properties. Council members also requested that staff continue outreach to adjacent property owners and summarize the engineering studies that describe potential impacts to neighboring parcels and the wharf.