To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
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AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 996, WHICH, IF APPROVED BY STATE LEGISLATORS, WOULD ENHANCE THE CITY’S ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH SEA LEVEL RISE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Assembly Bill (AB) 996 (Pellerin) would provide assistance to local governments that are required to develop sea level rise plans by creating an early consultation process with the California Coastal Commission. As a coastal city, Redondo Beach faces potential risks from sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.
BACKGROUND
Under current law, the California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the protection of coastal resources and public access under the oversight of the California Coastal Commission (Commission). The 61 coastal cities, including Redondo Beach, may develop a Local Coastal Plan (LCP), comprised of a Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan. Upon certification by the Commission, the local government retains its permitting authority for coastal development permits (CDPs).
In 2023, Senate Bill (SB) 272 (Laird) was enacted, requiring local governments to develop sea level rise plans by 2034 and receive approval from the state in both the Bay Area and the coastal zone. Coastal jurisdictions are required to incorporate these plans into their LCPs for approval by the Commission.
AB 996 would provide two supportive tools for local governments developing sea level rise plans. First, the bill would create an early consultation process for local governments to engage and consult with the Commission about the preparation of new, or amended, LCPs to ensure that formal submission of sea level rise plan materials is sufficient for a complete review. Early consultation is intended to provide enhanced coordination between the Commission and local governments and afford the opportunity for the Commission to make recommendations to local governments to ensure an efficient and timely submission and approval process.
AB 996 would also provide that existing sea level rise information or plans that a local government has prepared may satisfy one or all of the components of the sea level rise plans. Some coastal cities have done extensive work to assess sea level rise vulnerability. This provision would clarify that a local government does not need to do duplicative planning, if the existing materials can satisfy the sea level rise plan requirements. This provision aligns with the intent to also encourage local governments to engage in early consultation so as to ensure timely compliance for sea level rise plan updates as part of the LCP certification process.
The City of Redondo Beach has already taken steps to assess vulnerabilities and implement strategies to mitigate the risks associated with sea level rise, including shoreline protection measures and infrastructure resilience projects. AB 996 would bolster the City’s efforts by streamlining the approval process for the sea level rise plans, reduce redundancy by allowing the City to leverage existing assessments, and foster stronger coordination between local governments and the Commission to improve overall coastal resilience throughout the state.
If approved, the attached letter would be disseminated to appropriate elected officials and be uploaded to the State’s new electronic portal, which automatically distributes letters to offices of the applicable elected officials and committee(s) of jurisdiction.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office coordinated the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Letter of Support to Assembly Bill 996
• Assembly Bill 996, amended as of May 23, 2025