CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
February 20, 2024 {{section.number}}b
REVIEW OF REGULATIONS REGARDING FIRES ON THE PUBLIC BEACH RECOMMENDATION:
Consider policy options regarding the City’s regulations of fires on public beaches and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND:
Beach fires are a popular and enjoyable recreational experience for visitors and residents of Coronado. However, improperly disposed fires can pose a safety risk, while excessive burning fires in portable fire devices can impact air quality and create a nuisance for nearby residents.
Concerns from Coronado Shores residents emphasize the proximity of South Beach to residential buildings and the influx of smoke to their windows and balconies when beachgoers ignite wood and charcoal in portable fire pits.
At the regular City Council meeting on November 21, 2023, the City Council approved a Policy #2 request to put on a future agenda an item that explores “establishing a policy and/or Municipal Code regulation for beach fires in front of the Shores.” The City Council also included direction to look at fire regulations at all of our City beaches, including the Hotel del Coronado’s beach and to present potential options for altering existing regulations.
Chapter 48.04.120 of the Coronado Municipal Code (CMC) governs beach fires and states that fires are permitted when using a City-provided fire ring, portable barbecue, or personal fire ring container. In 2014, the City Council amended the CMC by limiting fire materials to charcoal and clean wood, consistent with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District’s regulations, and restricting fire materials to a height of twelve inches above the fire container’s upper edge.
Regionally, policies surrounding beach fires vary, with neighboring Southern California cities falling largely into the following five main categories:
1. Wood-burning/charcoal fires allowed in city-provided fire rings and personal fire rings.
Fires in portable propane devices allowed.
2. Wood-burning/charcoal fires allowed in city-provided fire rings only. Fires in portable propane devices allowed.
3. Wood-burning/charcoal fires allowed in city-provided fire rings only (prohibition of all portable wood-burning, charcoal, and propane devices).
4. Fires allowed in portable propane devices only (prohibition of all wood-burning/charcoal fires).
5. Prohibition of all wood-burning, charcoal, and propane fires.
Although the San Diego Air Pollution Control District does not currently prohibit burning in fire rings or grills, it acknowledges that wood burning from a variety of origins is a growing source of air pollution in San Diego County. Likewise, the U.S. EPA states that wood burning releases mixtures of harmful gases and particle matter that can cause, or increase the likelihood of, respiratory illness and considers propane as a clean alternative fuel source.
Currently, the City maintains eight fire pits on Coronado’s North Beach, spaced approximately 60-70 feet apart. The nearest residence to the fire rings is located on Ocean Blvd. and is approximately 425 feet away. Fires are allowed until 11pm which is enforced at North Beach, with Elite Security providing security services during the summer months. The North Beach fire pits are well-utilized between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with less frequent use during other parts of the year.
The Hotel del Coronado also offers nine fire pits on their beach via a reservation system to their hotel guests. Each fire pit is made of steel and wood burning and can accommodate up to ten guests. Hotel staff and security monitor the use of the fire pits to ensure safe operation.
Lifeguards have noticed an increase of residents and visitors utilizing portable fire pits and barbecue grills during the summer months across North, Central, and South Beach. Unlike other areas of Coronado beach, South Beach is particularly narrow, and the Las Palmas Tower at the Shores sits approximately 150 feet from the shore.
ANALYSIS:
City staff surveyed select beach cities in California to determine how they currently regulate beach fires. The City of San Diego allows wood-burning fires in City-provided fire rings as well as fires in portable propane devices. Encinitas allows wood-burning and charcoal fires in fire rings at Moonlight State Beach but prohibits all fires at other city beaches. Attachment 1 provides additional information of how select California beach cities choose to regulate beach fires.
To address smoke intrusion issues at the Shores due to the more narrow depth of the beach at this location and less direct access for Fire safety personnel and equipment, the City Council could consider amending CMC Section 48.04.120 to prohibit the use of personal wood-burning and charcoal fire barbecues on South Beach.
Alternatively, across the entire beach, the City Council could choose to prohibit personal woodburning and charcoal fire rings and/or allow the use of portable propane devices only, thereby prohibiting wood or charcoal fires.
Any action taken by the City Council to amend the CMC to restrict the use of personal woodburning and charcoal fires would require a Coastal Development Permit and approval by the Coastal Commission. Per Section 30213 of the Coastal Act, the Coastal Commission supports fire rings as they provide a low-cost visitor and recreation activity. The City Council may consider installing additional fire rings and North and/or Central Beach to provide residents and visitors with additional options for beach fires and offset any loss of availability at South Beach. If the City opts to modify the number of fire rings, it will require Coastal Commission approval. The cost to install additional fire rings is approximately $2,000 per fire ring.
Enforcement
The Police Department currently contracts with Elite Security to provide security services in the fire ring area of North Beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If a policy change is implemented, the City Council may consider augmenting security to increase enforcement efforts.
Adding an additional security guard to South Beach during the summer months would cost $5,400 monthly or $18,000 for the season.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact for amending the City’s regulations for beach fires. If the City Council requests additional enforcement mechanisms, the cost for an additional Elite Security guard would be approximately $18,000 from the Police Department Field Services budget account (10021102-80030). If the City Council directs staff to explore the option of installing additional fire rings, the cost estimate per fire ring is $2,000, and would be budgeted in the Public Services Beach account (10030006-80135).
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could direct staff to implement a policy that combines various aspects of the options listed above or could decide not to adopt any of the above recommendations.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
None required; however, the City did provide a courtesy notice to the Coronado Shores Community Alliance Group of this agenda item.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Beach Fire Regulations
2. Coronado Beach Map
3. Coronado Municipal Code 48.04.120
Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Kelli Maples