When the empty beachfront lot hit the market two years ago in Dana Point, it was touted as a rare opportunity to build a dream home right on the sand.
“Enjoy ocean breezes, sensational sunsets and unbeatable panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean,” the listing read. “Coastal California living doesn’t get much better than this!”
The dirt lot sold in 2021 for $2.65 million.
But plans for a two-story duplex envisioned for Beach Road – a stretch of coast once the epitome of oceanfront living – hit a roadblock when two California Coastal Commissioners argued that despite several considerations for sea level rise incorporated into the designs and the previous approval of Dana Point officials, the development could pose a “significant impact” and needs further review. A commission hearing will be scheduled.
Their objections speak to whether builders should have the right to develop along the coast, despite threats from the sea, and how sea level rise and beach erosion are blurring the line between public access rights and private property in some areas.
The appeal of Dana Point’s approval for the duplex was one of the last actions of former chair and coastal commissioner Donne Brownsey before she retired at the year’s end. During Brownsey’s tenure, sea level rise concerns were a priority, an issue she said California needs to pay attention to not just in the future, but now.
“The days of carefree oblivion of developing property and building homes on the California coast is behind us,” argues Brownsey.
The proposal for the 5,266-square-foot duplex takes sea level rise into consideration, its architect says. It would be built on concrete caissons, similar to stilts commonly seen in East Coast coastal communities, to allow seawater to wash under the home, according to the plans submitted to the Coastal Commission.
The design of the garage would allow for erosion beneath and “electrically operated vehicle lifts” would be installed to…
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