CITY OF GROVER BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 6
Placement: Consent
Meeting Date: July 28, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Megan Martin, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Request to Consolidate a Coastal Development Permit for the Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to submit a request to consolidate a Coastal Development Permit for the Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project.
BACKGROUND
Section 30601.3 of the California Public Resources Code (PRC) allows for a consolidated permitting process for projects for which the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) authority is shared by a local government(s) and the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission).
In order for the Coastal Commission to process and act upon a consolidated CDP application, PRC Section 30601.3 requires that the applicant, the appropriate local government(s), and the Coastal Commission consent to the consolidation. The goal of a consolidated CDP is to expedite the review process by allowing a single CDP application to move forward when the project is located within more than one jurisdiction that requires a CDP. Absent a consolidated CDP application, every local agency must conduct its own public hearing for the portion of the project within its jurisdiction.
The City receives requests for consolidated CDPs
relatively infrequently with an average of one every few years. Examples over the last 10 years include Caltrans improvement projects along Highway 101, California
Department of State Parks (State Parks) improvements
on West Grand Avenue, and the Central Coast Blue
regional advanced purified water project.
City staff was recently contacted by State Parks and the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (Coastal San Luis RCD) to initiate the Pismo State Beach
Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project
(“Project”; see Attachment 3). The Project seeks to restore and enhance approximately 150 acres of foredune habitat within Pismo State Beach, spanning seven miles between
the Pier Avenue Beach entrance to the north of the Pismo Beach Golf Course (Figure 1).
The Coastal Commission originally approved the Pismo Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area permit (State Parks Application No. 4-82-300) on June 17, 1982, with special conditions requiring protection of sensitive habitats. One of the conditions required the preparation and implementation of a dune restoration program and this Project is fulfillment of that program.
Restoration activities south of West Grand Avenue fall within the scope of the original application and can proceed as a form of condition compliance with Coastal Commission Executive Director approval. However, State Parks also identified areas north of West Grand Avenue that would benefit from restoration efforts. This area (Restoration Area #1) was not considered under the original permit and is located within both Grover Beach and Coastal Commission jurisdiction. As such, a consolidated CDP can be considered for that portion of the Project.
State Parks has requested the City’s support in pursuing a consolidated permit from the Coastal Commission for these restoration efforts. Staff concurs with this request for pursuing a consolidated CDP given the multi-jurisdictional nature of the Project and the property ownership by State Parks. This approach will simplify the review process, reduce duplication of effort, and provide a clear and unified permitting path. Public participation will not be substantially impaired by the consolidated permit process as State Parks is committed as the lead agency to conduct public outreach as part of project implementation. State Parks will also be responsible for completing environmental review and overall compliance with the original CDP.
If the Council adopts the Resolution, the Community Development Director will prepare a letter on behalf of the City, requesting the Coastal Commission process a consolidated permit for State Parks. City staff will coordinate closely with State Parks, the Coastal San Luis RCD, and the Coastal Commission to advance the consolidated CDP application, support public outreach efforts, and ensure consistency with all applicable coastal policies and conditions of approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to submit a request for consolidation of a Coastal Development Permit for the Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project; or
2. Do not adopt the Resolution; or
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
Staff Report: Request for Consolidated CDP for Pismo State Beach Foredune Project Page 3 July 28, 2025
Multi-Year Goals
☐ Public Safety and Community Services ☐ Economic Development and Housing ☐ Community Infrastructure ☐ Financial and Organization Sustainability Council Priorities
☐ Water and Wastewater Infrastructure ☐ Community Engagement
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project Overview
3. California State Parks Letter of Support
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION NO. 25-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER
BEACH, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO REQUEST A CONSOLIDATED
PERMITTING PROCESS FOR A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
FOR THE PISMO STATE BEACH FOREDUNE RESTORATION
PROJECT
WHEREAS, Section 30601.3 of the California Public Resources Code allows for a consolidated permitting process for projects for which the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) authority is shared by a local government and the California Coastal Commission (Commission), which would result in the Commission issuing a CDP for the entire project within its and the local government’s CDP authority; and
WHEREAS, in order for the Commission to process and act upon a consolidated CDP application, Section 30601.3 of the Public Resources Code requires that the applicant, the local government, and the Commission consent to the consolidation, provided that public participation is not substantially impaired by the consolidation; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of State Parks (State Parks) has initiated the Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project (Project) to fulfill special conditions associated with State Parks CDP Application No. 4-82-300 and the preparation and implementation of a dune restoration program; and
WHEREAS, restoration activities south of West Grand Avenue fall within the scope of the original application (4-82-300) and can proceed as a form of condition compliance with Coastal Commission Executive Director approval; and
WHEREAS, State Parks identified restoration area north of West Grand Avenue (Restoration Area #1) that would benefit from the Project but was not considered under the original permit, therefore a CDP would be required; and
WHEREAS, Restoration Area #1 is located within both the City of Grover Beach (City) and Coastal Commission jurisdiction and a consolidated CDP can be pursued for that portion of the Project; and
WHEREAS, State Parks, as the applicant, and with Coastal Commission support, has requested the City consent to and pursue a consolidated CDP for the Project; and WHEREAS, public participation will not be substantially impaired as the Commission will hold a public hearing on the project, allowing interested parties to submit timely comments to the Commission and/or attend said hearing, and which consolidated permit process will allow for the underground infrastructure and wells to be evaluated in their entirety; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Grover Beach hereby authorizes the Community Development Director to submit a request to consolidate the Coastal Development Permit process for the Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration Project.
Upon motion by Council Member , second by Council Member , and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members
NOES: Council Members
ABSENT: Council Members
ABSTAIN: Council Members
the foregoing Resolution was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California this 28th day of July.
KASSI DEE, MAYOR
Attest:
WENDI SIMS, CITY CLERK
Pismo State Beach Foredune
Restoration and Improvement Project
Project Overview
The Pismo State Beach Foredune Restoration and Improvement Project will restore and enhance 150 acres of foredune habitat within Pismo State Beach, a coastal park stretching over seven miles. The project area supports a unique and fragile ecosystem that has been significantly degraded by invasive plant species and disrupted dune processes. The restoration will directly benefit several sensitive and listed species, including the Western monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus), which overwinters nearby at the Pismo Monarch Butterfly Grove; the Northern California legless lizard (Anniella pulchra); and two state-threatened plants—the surf thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum) and the beach spectacle pod (Dithyrea maritima).
Invasive species such as golden wattle, iceplant, and European beach grass have spread throughout the foredune system, displacing native vegetation, reducing biodiversity, and interfering with the natural geomorphic processes that shape and sustain the dune landscape. This degradation not only threatens native species but also compromises the dunes’ capacity to act as a protective buffer against wind, erosion, and coastal storm surges, posing increased climate resilience risks to adjacent communities, including Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and Oceano, a disadvantaged and climate-vulnerable community.
Project Goals
1. Reduce invasive plant cover to less than 1% of its current extent by the end of the five-year project period.
2. Reestablish diverse native dune vegetation communities, such as dune mat and dune scrub, through targeted seed collection, propagation, and strategic outplanting.
3. Restore habitat functions and ecological resilience to support the recovery of listed plant and wildlife species dependent on dynamic dune ecosystems.
4. Enhance the natural protective function of the foredunes to better withstand sea-level rise, storm events, and wind erosion, protecting both wildlife habitat and nearby human communities.
Attachment 2
Restoration Methods
The restoration will begin with the removal of invasive plant species using a combination of mechanical methods (cutting and trimming) and chemical treatments (targeted herbicide application for herbaceous invasives), conducted by licensed pest control contractors following recommendations from certified Pest Control Advisors.
Species targeted for removal include European beach grass, iceplant, golden wattle, pine, and cypress.
Following removal, native dune vegetation will be restored through local seed collection, propagation at the California State Parks greenhouse, and phased outplanting. Species will be selected based on historic plant communities and habitat needs of target species.
Planting will be carried out by trained restoration crews with oversight from experienced ecologists and land managers.
Monitoring & Success Metrics
Restoration success will be assessed through annual monitoring, including GPS mapping of invasive species reduction and percent survivorship of native outplantings. Monitoring will follow California Native Plant Society (CNPS) protocols and be conducted by trained staff from California State Parks and partner organizations. Metrics will track changes in vegetation cover, native species diversity, and habitat quality to ensure restoration goals are met and maintained over time.
Contact
Samantha Alvarez, Restoration Project Manager, [email protected] Attachment 3