To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: GREG KAPOVICH, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
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RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE CITY’S GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION TO FUND A SEA LEVEL RISE ASSESSMENT FOR ALL PROPERTIES WITH A COASTAL ZONING DESIGNATION AS REQUIRED BY SB 272
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2023, the State enacted Senate Bill (SB) 272 requiring all local jurisdictions to conduct sea level rise assessments for all properties with a Coastal Zoning designation. Pursuant to SB 272, the City must complete the assessment and obtain California Coastal Commission (CCC) approval of an amended Local Coastal Program (LCP) reflecting the results of the assessment by January 1, 2034. To support this work, staff submitted a proposal to the CCC’s LCP Local Assistance Grant program in May 2025 requesting the maximum funding award of $500,000. Staff are happy to report that the City’s grant application was approved by the CCC Executive Director.
The grant agreement is expected to be sent to the City by the end of September 2025. Following review of the agreement, staff will return to the City Council requesting authorization to accept the grants, execute the grant agreement, and prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to retain a qualified consultant to perform the required assessments. The grant funds will support the necessary technical studies across the coastal zone and help reorganize the City’s LCP to improve its read/usability.
BACKGROUND
In 1980, the City of Redondo Beach adopted a LCP to guide development within the City's coastal zone, including King Harbor and the coastal areas south of the Pier. In October of 2013, the California Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 691 into law, which required all local trustees of state lands to complete an assessment of the impact of sea level rise on those lands. The Redondo Beach King Harbor Marina is considered state lands and was subject to the sea level rise assessment requirement. In July 2019, the City successfully prepared a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (SLRVA) for King Harbor Marina which was trusted to the City by the State. The SLRVA assessed the effects of sea level rise by the years 2030, 2050, and 2100 satisfying the requirements of AB 691. In October of 2023, the California Governor signed SB 272 into law, requiring all local jurisdictions to develop a more comprehensive sea level rise assessment and expand the assessed area to include the entire coastal zone. SB 272 requires compliance and CCC approval by January 1, 2034.
The Local Assistance Grant is administered by the CCC and is available to local entities to fund LCP updates. On February 18, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution No. CC-2502-005 authorizing staff to apply for this grant to bring the City’s LCP into compliance with SB 272. This grant will provide funding to conduct the technical studies needed to assess sea-level rise and coastal hazards for all land within the coastal zone. The method by which sea level rise is measured has been adjusted since the City’s 2019 SLRVA, and the funding will also cover updating the original study covering King Harbor. The grant will also fund a general reorganization of the City’s LCP, which is difficult to navigate in its current form for City and CCC staff and prospective developers. This effort will ensure the City’s LCP remains useful and can be interpreted more quickly and accurately in the future.
In May 2025, City staff applied for a California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant of $500,000 to amend the City’s certified LCP. CCC's Executive Director has approved the City's proposal and the CCC is preparing a draft grant agreement. City staff expect to receive a final grant agreement from the CCC by the end of September 2025. Once the final grant agreement is received, and the City Attorney’s Office has completed their review, staff anticipates seeking Council approval in late October 2025.
Adoption would authorize City staff to administer the grant, which would include preparation of an RFP to attract a qualified consultant to assist with completing all relevant grant deliverables in close coordination with the CCC. The deliverables include conducting technical studies to inform necessary LCP updates, creating a draft and final LCP that focuses on sea level rise adaptation and coastal resiliency planning, and providing comprehensive document reorganization for improved interpretation of the LCP.
Key Anticipated Milestones and Deliverables
• September 2025: City receives draft grant agreement
• October 2025: Council considers approval of the grant agreement
• December 2025: Following approval, draft and release the RFP for qualified consultants
• December 2025 - January 2026: Advertise the RFP
• February 2026 - March 2026: Selection of qualified consultant
• April 2026 - May 2026: Draft consultant agreement
• June 2026: City Council consideration of approval of consultant agreement
• July 2026 - April 2027: Complete necessary studies and identify necessary LCP updates including changes for document reorganization
• August 2027: Draft the LCP
• September - October 2027: Harbor Commission review of the draft LCP, City Council review, CCC review for comments
• November 2027: City Council adoption of updated LCP
• December 2027: CCC Final adoption of updated LCP
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Preparation of this report is part of the Department’s annual work plan and operating budget. There is no additional, immediate fiscal impact. Once the grant funding has been formally approved, the City will receive $500,000 for the purpose of completing the mandated assessments and updating the Local Coastal Plan.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. CC-2502-005 Local Coastal Program Grant Application, February 18, 2025