A Review of the City of Encinitas' Beacon's Beach Staircase Plan and Proposal
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A Review of the City of Encinitas'
Beacon's Beach Staircase Plan
and Proposal
Prepared by Ari Marsh (Leucadia resident and approximate 30-year Beacon's
surfer) with support and/or input from many Leucadia residents, surfers, and
beachgoers, including but not limited to: Jason Weber (local resident and life-
long surfer), Gary Murphy (Beacon's surfer and local advocate for 45 years), Dr.
Chris Metzler (Ph.D Geology, Professor, Mira Costa College), Rick Wilson
(Surfrider Foundation, Staff Scientist), James Chinchiolo (Project Manager,
Geostabilization International), Carolyn Jopes (long-time Beacon's surfer, lived
on Neptune from 2002-2016), Matthew Walker(Energy Manager, Leucadia resident
and Beacon's surfer), Viraja Prema (Encinitas resident and concerned mother),
Tony Lasley (25 year Encinitas resident, homeowner, and father), Sue Reynolds
(10 year Encinitas resident and surfer), Phillip `Puddy' Albright (34 year Leucadia
resident), and many others.
June 28, 2018
BACKGROUND The bluff face of Beacon's Beach also known as Leucadia State Beach in Encinitas, CA has been eroding for decades and has what many experts consider "an active, slow- moving landslide." The City of Encinitas has planned the Beacon's Beach Access Restoration Project consisting of two major components. Component one, redesigning and relocating the bluff-top parking lot and moving the primary southwest facing parking spots eastward, away from the edge of the bluff and away from the area that is considered to be part of the potential landslide failure plane. Component two, the City of Encinitas plans to construct a staircase towards the southern end of Beacon's, descending from the top of the bluff down to the beach. Apparently, due in part to public outcry for preserving the historic, landmark switchback trail that is considered by many to be part of the charm, character, and unique personality of Beacon's Beach, the project coordinators recommended (in an email sent by Stephanie Kellar on June 26, 2018 to various Leucadia residents and local Beacon's surfers) that in addition to constructing a staircase the City of Encinitas will "maintain the existing switchback trail from the parking lot down to the beach..." rather than to let it fail or demolish it after the completion of the stairway, as they had previously planned. We sincerely hope that the City of Encinitas follows through with this and maintains the switchback trail as it is the only remaining local trail of its kind as stairways have already been constructed at Grandview, Stone Steps, D Street, and Swami's. This review addresses local, public community concerns with component two ONLY: the Staircase Plan, and does NOT address issues regarding the bluff-top parking lot relocation.
MORE ABOUT THE STAIRCASE PROPOSAL
If the City of Encinitas, its consultants and experts, and involved parties such as
the California Coastal Commission and the Surfrider Foundation, along with
concerned local residents, collectively agree with the necessity of building a
staircase, is this project, as currently designed, the correct one?
According to the position of the Surfrider Foundation, regarding their involvement with
the City of Encinitas and the Beacon's Beach Access Restoration Project, the ultimate
goal is to "ensure safe beach access while keeping the area as natural as
possible."
Does this current plan accomplish that in the best possible way?
......
C
.~ '% ~~
,. ~~~ ~ 1~
.` ..
...w ~.~..
"1
X ' '
:.i'S~.7~'y'
.
~~ ~ ~ ~`~~~_.__ PRELIMINARY ,}~
_~____ .~. ti
_._. --.__;. ~._.
, ,. ,,
~---. ~, . ~,
P, ~S' i
' ` ~`.
•.
` '
i
-. — - -- -- f ~ ,\ 1
'4 1
~
;~,
~'
,...~.a,~a.~~.~
l~ __
PRELIMINARY L
aanac
~~...,~......~...w.l........
• Provide a staircase b~
Unlike the staircases at local breaks such as Swami's and Grandview, the City of
Encinitas is planning aCONCRETE-based staircase at Beacon's (with large concrete
pilings) that does not conform to the natural environmental topography but instead
traverses the bluff with a system of multiple (6) landings.
There are CONCERNS that the current staircase as proposed will:
• Compromise prime beach availability due to its large footprint where the
staircase anchors into the beach
• Obstruct Marine Safety's southerly view from the beach tower, impeding
lifeguards ability to properly monitor the safety of swimmers and beachgoers at
the south end of the beach
• Anchor into the beach too close to the mean high tide line where it will
consistently NOT ALLOW safe (or dry) access to families and children during any
reasonably decent high tide or significant swell or surf event.
• Obstruct the view of the main surf break, South Reef, from the south end of the
bluff-top
• Block and obstruct the southerly view of the coastline and the tip of La Jolla from
the bluff-top
• Unnecessarily compromise the character and integrity of the spot due to its large
footprint and non-topographical design
But wait, according to the City of Encinitas' Annual Report for 2017, the Surfrider
Foundation has "blessed" the Beacon's Beach Improvement Plan (see article
below).
BEACON'S BEACH IMPROVEMENT PLANS MOVING
FORWARD
In an effort to stabilize the coastal bluff and maintain public
access,the city is moving an improvement plan for Beacon's Beach
forward—the popular surf site on Neptune Avenue between
Jasper Street and Leucadia Boulevard.
The plan calls for moving the existing parking lot more inland
and away from the bluff,then building a staircase to access the
beach from the new lot.Currentty,the heach is accessed through
a switch-back trail that is slowly eroding.
The improvement plan has been blessed by the Surfrider
Foundation and the Coastal Commission and a consultant has
been hired to move the project forward.
So far, the city has spent $750,000 for planning and design.
Construction costs will be estimated and earmarked once the
plans are complete.
Beacon's Beach w1lL receive several Improvements to make it more accessib4
and safe for visitors.
Is this true?
In an email to Ari Marsh on Monday, June 25, 2018, Rick Wilson, Surfrider Foundation
Staff Scientist(who has been directly involved with the City of Encinitas and Beacon's
Beach Access Restoration Project's Manager, Stephanie Kellar) stated:
First, it is absolutely not true that Surfrider has
"blessed" or "signed off" on the stairway plans. It is
true that we have been voicing our concerns about
the city's plans regarding Beacons for several years.
Our general comments have been to keep Beacons
as natural as possible while still ensuring safe beach
access. This lead us to oppose the original plan to
armor the bluff, which would have completely altered
the character of the bluff and beach as well as
preventing natural beach processes which provide
sand for the beach. We successfully stopped these
plans last year.
https://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/beacons-
beach-saved-from-a-defacto-seawall
More about the Concrete Stairway Plan
Rick Wilson (Surfrider Foundation Staff Scientist) also stated via email to Ari Marsh on
June 25, 2018:
"We have pressed for (the staircase) to be as unobtrusive as possible and to be
constructed to blend in with the bluff as much as possible. We also advocated for
wood stairs but the city appears to be going with pre-cast concrete stairs and
landings on concrete piles."
Additional Concerns
What is the potential risk of bluff destabilization caused by construction and
extensive drilling into subsurface layers in order to anchor the staircase's massive
concrete pilings?
Does the staircase proposal comply with current ADA regulations?
ADDITIONAL STAIRWAY and TRAIL DESIGNS
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
..~..
Y' .___ ____.
r
f G
Preferable WOOD staircase contoured in alignment
with natural bluff and landscape topography
Low/minimal beach footprint at the base of the bluff
Pipes, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas
OTHER POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES Is it possible that various slope stabilization measures can be effective in securing the Beacon's bluff? James Chinchiolo, a Project Development Manager with Geostabilization International, is "very familiar with the Beacon's bluff' situation. He has worked in the field of Landslide and Rockfall Mitigation for the past 12 years and has presented scientifically- sound methods for Beacon's slope stabilization to the City of Encinitas in the past. Geostabilization International has worked all over the world to stabilize landscapes and keep the natural integrity of environments in tact in places like the Northern California coast, the Lake Tahoe basin, high-altitude locations in Telluride, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. GSI has a large support team of credentialed engineers. Mr. Chinchiolo stated that he is "confident we (GSI) can stabilize the Beacon's bluff face and keep the natural, walking trail... maintaining the integrity, beauty, and ruggedness without going in an extreme direction that changes the quality of the environment." Apparently, several years ago former Encinitas Mayor, Teresa Barth, set up a meeting with James Chinchiolo, along with the Parks and Recreation Department and Encinitas consultants, to discuss GSI's bluff stabilization methods but he was not permitted to present his ideas to the public at community discussion workshops. Why has the City of Encinitas not allowed James Chinchiolo and Geostabilization International to share their award-winning, world-renowned, cutting-edge ideas at Encinitas community discussion workshops? Perhaps there are practical, less-invasive solutions. Mr. Chinchiolo invites any and all concerned Encinitas residents and City Officials to explore GSI's website and/or call him directly. James Chinchiolo, Project Development Manager Geostabilization International http://www.geostabilization.com 916.698.5133
Date: June 28, 2018, 10:52 AM
Hi Ari,
was introduced to the Beacons Beach slope
stabilization project years ago (perhaps 7 or 8). I feel
Lakeshore Bluff
confident a stabilization system can be designed and Stabilization
constructed to maintain the topography of the existing
slope while meeting or exceeding traditional slope
stabilization engineering criteria. I am also confident
that the resulting face can be vegetated with native
plant species.
I've attached an article highlighting a project along a
40-ft tall bluff in Lake Tahoe for your review.
Warm Regards,
James Chinchiolo Project Development,
Independent Representative — CA ~ NV Coastal Bluff
Cell: 916.698-5133 Office: 916.913.0748 Protection
Fax: 970.245.7737 Email:james(~i~gsi.us
www.geostabilization.com
Project update from Stephanie Kellar (Beacon's Project Manager),
sent via email on June 26, 2018 in response to concerned Leucadia
residents and Beacon's surfers/beachgoers in regards to protecting
and saving the original switchback trail:
Stephanie Kellar
to me
1231 PM View details
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to reach out
and share your thoughts about the Beacon's
Beach Access project.
The project recommendation is to maintain
the existing switchback ri•ail from the
parking lot down to the beach, and in
addition to construct a staircase towards the
southern end of Beacon's. The stairs would
be designed to withstand a landslide to
provide continued public access to the
beach.
Thanks,
Stephanie
According to Stephanie Kellar, the project recommendation is to
maintain the switchback trail.
SYNOPSIS and CONCLUDING POINTS
• All efforts to maintain the character, personality, integrity, and charm of
Beacon's Beach and its historic, landmark switchback trail must be made
while still considering safe beach access. The end result is to marry the
safe and practical with the natural and poetic.
• A massive, extensive, concrete staircase is not necessarily the solution
and all alternative possibilities must be exhausted before the beginning of
any construction.
• We ask the City of Encinitas for TRANSPARENCY! Let's hear opposing
ideas from other engineers and consultants.
• AECOM Engineers proposed a much less-invasive idea of a partial
staircase fusing with the existing switchback trail (Encinitas City Council
Meeting, August 16, 2017).
• Let's hear more about the low-impact solutions previously presented to the
City of Encinitas by James Chinchiolo of Geostabilization International.
Why has the city not allowed Mr. Chinchiolo to share GSI's work and ideas
with the public at community discussion workshops?
• As mentioned within this review, according to Surfrider Foundation Staff
Scientist, Rick Wilson, the Surfrider Foundation has NOT signed off on the
current staircase proposal and has ADVOCATED FOR WOOD rather than
concrete in regards to the construction of any staircase at Beacon's. Based
on this, further consultations and discussions between the City of
Encinitas and its Engineers, Leucadia residents, Beacon's surfers and
beachgoers, and the Surfrider Foundation are essential.
• Increased bluff destabilization from extensive drilling if a stairway is built
needs to be considered.
• The goal is not to achieve strictly what the city chooses, but what the
public chooses as well.
• There is a SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT among many locals that the City
of Encinitas has not openly shared alternative ideas (such as the Surfrider
Foundation recommendations and GSI's plans) with the people.
Transparency is essential.
• Beacon's Project Manager, Stephanie Kellar, or other City Officials,
neglecting to return phone calls or emails from local residents who have
repeatedly inquired, is unacceptable. The public has a right to be involved.
FINALLY, the current staircase proposal, as presented, is more obstructive to the
character and quality of Beacon's Beach than any comparable local staircase. It
does not follow Surfrider Foundation recommendations, nor does it conform to
the topography of the landscape and is deemed to be overly-invasive. This review
firmly advocates that the City of Encinitas HALT the staircase project, as
proposed, until further review.STAY INVOLVED Email Stephanie Kellar, the Beacon's Project Manager, with concerns and input: skellar@encinitasca.gov (or call her at 760.633.2839) and please cc or bcc Leucadia resident and Beacon's advocate, Ari Marsh, at soulrider68@gmail.com, so locals have a record of correspondence. We love Encinitas, Leucadia, and Beacon's Beach! They are our home and our favorite beach in the world, and we are committed to preserving the character and integrity of this heavenly slice of California. There is also a wild component to our life on the coast that mustn't be paved away or made sterile. We count on our City Officials to advocate for us and to keep us involved. We've weathered incredible changes and events over the past several decades (including a fatal North County shark attack in 2008, above photo). Let's not panic or be abrupt. Once something is built, there will be no going back. Developing Beacon's Beach, our last untarnished gem, is beyond significant. Together we'll create the perfect solution. As one life-long Beacon's surfer, Phillip `Puddy' Albright, stated in a recent letter to Stephanie Kellar advocating for the switchback trail to be preserved: Please allow the ripples of your proposed action to appear before throwing the stone. Thus avoiding having to say later, "Oh my, what have we done!"
You can also read
