Board approves coastal plan updates to require sea-level-rise planning, elevation for new shoreline development

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a package of county-initiated Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendments designed to address coastal hazards and sea level rise in unincorporated Ventura County and to forward the amendments to the California Coastal Commission for certification.

Planning staff said the amendments adopt state-recommended sea-level-rise guidance (the "intermediate high" scenario) and apply an expected life-of-development approach (roughly 100 years for typical residential and commercial buildings), which yields a planning elevation of about 6.6 feet of sea-level rise for most shoreline communities. "If a new house were proposed today, it would be planning till about 2130, and that would be about 6.6 feet of sea level rise according to the guidance," Aaron Engstrom, case planner, said.

The amendments update the Coastal Area Plan and coastal zoning ordinance across multiple chapters and appendices. Key elements include: requiring coastal-hazards reports where new development or substantial redevelopment (defined as 50% or more of gross floor area) is proposed in screening areas; applying whichever design…