CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
June 18, 2024 {{section.number}}e
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONADO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 48.04.120 TO THE CORONADO MUNICIPAL CODE” PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION OF FIRES ON
PUBLIC BEACHES
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt an Ordinance authorizing an Amendment to Section 48.04.120 of the Coronado Municipal Code pertaining to the regulation of fires on public beaches.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, section 48.04.120 of the Coronado Municipal Code (CMC) governs beach fires, stating that fires are permitted when using a City-provided fire ring, portable barbecue, or personal fire ring container.
At the regular City Council meeting on November 21, 2023, the City Council approved a Policy #2 request to place on a future agenda an item that explores “establishing a policy and/or Municipal Code regulation for beach fires in front of the Shores.” On February 20, 2024, the City Council directed staff to prepare an Ordinance limiting beach fires to City-provided fire rings on North Beach, and prohibiting the use of all portable fire pits, grills, and barbecues.
On April 16, 2024, the City Council directed staff to return with an updated Ordinance that bans all beach fires on South Beach, allows beach fires with propane or smokeless portable devices on Central and North Beach, and allows the burning of clean wood in the eight City-provided fire rings on North Beach.
On June 4, 2024, the City Council approved the first reading of an Ordinance that limits the type of permissible fire devices on South Beach to propane-fueled portable devices and allows wood and charcoal fires on all other areas of City of Coronado beaches.
ANALYSIS:
It is within the City’s purview to limit the type of fires that can be built on public beaches. Although the San Diego Air Pollution Control District does not currently prohibit wood-burning in fire rings or grills, it acknowledges that wood burning 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.
South Beach is a relatively narrow beach that is located directly below the Coronado Shores.
Residents of the Coronado Shores have reported that smoke from wood-burning fires can drift into their homes, causing nuisance, distress, and negative health implications. The City strives to strike a balance to preserve the City’s beach fire heritage and traditions, while improving air quality and the protecting the residents of the Coronado Shores from the potential of drifting smoke. As such, the City Council directed to amend the CMC to limit beach fires at South Beach to portable propane devices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact for amending the City’s regulations for beach fires.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council could keep CMC 48.04.120 in its current form or direct staff to return with alternative amendments.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under a Class 4 exemption for minor alterations to land, because the project involves only minor and temporary alterations and uses of the beach that have negligible or no permanent effects in the environment, (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15304.) The project is also exempt under Class 7 and 8 exemptions for actions by regulatory agencies for the protection of the environment and natural resources, because it is intended to curtail uncontrolled beach fire activities that are causing environmental problems at City beaches and public health concerns for City residents. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15307, 15308.) The City will file a Notice of Exemption documenting this finding after City Council approval of the project.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
In lieu of the full text of the ordinance being published within 15 days after passage, the City Clerk shall publish and post the summary of the proposed ordinance at least five days before the meeting at which the ordinance is to be adopted and within 15 days after adoption.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Beach Fires Ordinance 2024-07R
Submitted By: City Manager's Office / Kelli Maples