Imperial Beach City Council
August 17, 2022

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐8 Safety Element Figure S‐1B 100‐Year Flood Plain Zoon to San Diego Unified Port District Jurisdiction

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐9 Safety Element Trigger points that include both sea level rise change and impact thresholds can more effectively signal the proper time and scale to implement adaptation strategies. The protection of natural resources, including biological resources, and public and private property is critical to the economy, community character, and quality of life of Imperial Beach. The beach, San Diego Bayfront, and estuary are core elements in Imperial Beach’s visitor‐serving, recreational, and ecotourism economy and overall economic development vision. They are also the areas that are generally most at risk. The planning and implementation of adaptation strategies that focus on the protection and enhancement of public and private property and preservation of natural resources is a priority. Strategies and measures will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in increasing the resiliency of existing and future infrastructure, properties, and development; and in meeting overall objectives to protect and enhance the economy, environment, and community character of Imperial Beach. Strategies and measures such as beach nourishment, dunes and living shorelines in conjunction with existing hard armoring and other resiliency measures may be considered.

As previously noted, the most severe impacts of sea levelrise and climate change are not expected until the latter half ofthe century, but there are substantial existing and likely future impacts that are occurring or will occur before then. Table S‐1 provides a high‐level summary of some of the key physical vulnerabilities that may come to fruition over time absent effective adaptation, according to the IB SLR Assessment. It is importantto note that the identification of vulnerabilities described in the IB SLR Assessment assumed that no additional adaptation strategies would be employed other than those in place in 2016. These potential impacts could be mitigated in part or in whole with additional adaptation efforts.

Imperial Beach has long been susceptible to local, nuisance flooding, and flood plain inundation. Nuisance flooding associated with high tides is currently the most frequent form of flooding. Stormwater flooding occurs during combined rainfall and high tides. The extent of flooding and coastal erosion and related impacts are expected to begin accelerating beyond the estimated 1.6 feet (.5 meters) threshold of sea level rise estimated to be breached around 2047; however, the uncertainty of these events further requires close monitoring and tracking of future events that may lead to the implementation of one or more adaptation measures to be implemented. a measured and event‐based trigger approach.

Based on the findings of the 2016 City of Imperial Beach Seal Level Rise Assessment (IB SLR Assessment), the City can continue to utilize strategies currently in place such as shoreline protection devices and beach nourishment, continued adaptation of public infrastructure, and additional strategies that include but are not limited to living shorelines to adapt to sea level rise throughout the lifetime of the 2019 20220 General Plan/Local Coastal Program Update and beyond. As a result, while managed retreat was included as a potential strategy in the IB SLR Assessment, the City does not consider it a viable or necessary adaptation strategy in the foreseeable future and does not intend to pursue it. This position was strongly mirrored by community feedback received during the update process, through a series of meetings and discussions with community members.

The City intends to continue to build on its efforts to pursue adaptation strategies that preserve and enhance its environment, economy, and community character. This includes the two‐thirds of the Imperial Beach shoreline that has been left undeveloped and acts as an extended living shoreline. Additionally, along the developed shoreline, the City’s preferred approach is to employ adaptation strategies, such as beach replenishment and living shorelines, in combination with existing shoreline protection devices, to preserve property, protect marine resources and biological productivity, and maintain critical natural and economic resources such as the shoreline. These strategies will be continually assessed for deployment at the community, neighborhood, area, and sub‐area levels. In the near‐term it is likely that periodic beach replenishment will be an effective strategy for the Pacific coastline as a whole; however, certain neighborhoods, such as South Seacoast and Carnation that already experience flooding and episodic coastal erosion, may warrant earlier hybrid strategies. Similarly, the estuary and Bayfront shorelines will also likely warrant different approaches, such as enhanced wetlands and berms that reduce flooding and protect and improve habitat.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐10 Safety Element Table S‐1
Summary of Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Vulnerabilities from 2016 Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment, With No New Adaptation Measures* Existing Conditions
Structures and Parcels    The South Seacoast neighborhood is impacted during a 100‐year coastal wave flood event  Buildings at Bayview Elementary School exposed to coastal flooding during storm events  Tidal inundation impacts are limited overall
Transportation  Some roads impacted by wave events and tidal inundation Storm Water and
Wastewater
 Limited amount of wastewater pipe and stormwater system impacted by coastal erosion and/or tidal inundation
2047: 1.6 feet(.5 meters) of Sea Level Rise
Structures and Parcels    The Carnation neighborhood north of Palm Avenue is exposed to 100‐year coastal wave flood events
 Tidal inundation impacts increase modestly
 Buildings at Bayview Elementary School routinely flooded by tidal inundation  Westview Elementary School exposed to tidal inundation and coastal flooding Transportation  90% of Seacoast Drive is vulnerable to coastal erosion Storm Water and
Wastewater
 One wastewater pump station exposed to coastal erosion and oceanfront storm water system exposure doubles
2069: 3.3 feet (1 meter) of Sea Level Rise
Structures and Parcels    Tidal inundation increases dramatically with oceanfront, Bayfront, estuary, and interior neighborhoods experiencing more persistent and regular inundation Transportation  Coastal flooding could result in temporary closure of up to 20 miles of roads  Coastal erosion could destroy more than 4 miles of roads Storm Water and
Wastewater
 More than half of storm water drainages impacted by tides about 50% of the time 2100: 6.5 feet (2 meters) of Sea Level Rise
Structures and Parcels    30% of all parcels exposed to one or more coastal hazards including episodic coastal flooding, tidal inundation, and coastal erosion
Transportation  40% of City roads vulnerable to coastal storm flooding  Over 5 miles at risk of being lost to coastal erosion including all of Seacoast Drive  Major bus routes and bikeways at risk of closure
Storm Water and
Wastewater
 Widespread wastewater and storm water system exposure * Note that the 2016 City of Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment assumes that no additional adaptation strategies would be employed other than those currently in place. These potential impacts could be mitigated in part or in whole with additional adaptation efforts.

The purpose of the 2016 SLR Assessment was to identify areas and resources in the City that may be vulnerable to rising seas in the future, so the City could begin to consider ways to improve and enhance coastal resiliency for the long term. The report looked at future scenarios and the potential effects (coastal erosion, flooding and inundation) on the City with 0.5 meters, 1 meter and 2 meters of SLR through a long‐term planning horizon year of 2100. The report identified potential future SLR effects on public and private structures, transportation facilities, critical public utilities and other infrastructure.

The 2016 City SLR Assessment assumed that no additional adaptation strategies would be employed by the City or by other agencies other than those currently in place such as periodic beach nourishment. Without any additional action, City infrastructure as well as private development was determined to be at risk in the future from rising seas. Potential future projected impacts could be avoided or mitigated in part or in whole with additional adaptation efforts such as those described in the 2016 SLR report which include a full range of coastal resiliency building strategies that would enable the City to maintain its community character with strong preferences for a sustainable economy and healthy environmentin the future.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐11 Safety Element Long‐term monitoring of sea levels (through tide gauge data or other quantifiable/measurable data) has emerged as another essential component to understanding the big picture. As SLR science continues to evolve and become more refined, and as our understanding of the key variables of climate science modeling grows, we will have a better understanding of the most probable . SLR trajectory.
. Just as this document will need to be periodically updated by the City, the SLR assessment must be updated on a regular basis as needed as additional information becomes available and as new projections are issued based on improved understanding of the dynamics, correlations and variables involved in sea level rise science. Implementing one or more SLR adaptation Sstrategies can then be phased in as needed based on observed data and with community input on the best path(s) forward.

The informed selection of adaptation strategies requires the City to establish a robust monitoring program. This includes:
monitoring the severity and frequency of flooding, coastal erosion, storm, and other sea level rise related events; identifying the feasibility of continuing existing strategies; and identifying alternative strategies and theirlead time forimplementation, should they be needed. The purpose of such a process would be to select strategies that preserve and enhance the City’s environment, economy, and community character. This includes prioritizing the preservation of beaches and habitat that are critical to the City’s tourism and ecotourism economic development strategy, and the protection of public and private property.

Development Design and Siting
While many adaptation strategies apply at regional, community and neighborhood‐scales, it is also necessary to improve the resiliency of structures and infrastructure. It is important to take the economic lifetime of structures into account when evaluating the siting, design, and planning of infrastructure and development. Adaptation strategies incorporated into siting, design, and planning, that are consistent with anticipated vulnerabilities in the development area, will increase resiliency of any structures throughout their anticipated economic lifetime and the community overall.

Unlike many other coastal communities,the Imperial Beach coastal shoreline is comprised almost entirely oflow‐lying sandy beach. Development and redevelopment that incorporates multiple adaptive strategies including but not limited to increased setbacks, increased base floor elevation, and innovative design will be more effective than single strategy approaches. Because the City’s developable lands are already urbanized, strategies will be incrementally implemented as properties redevelop.

Building on Community Strengths
While its location, topography, and other characteristics make Imperial Beach vulnerable to sea level rise, there are also aspects of Imperial Beach’s existing urban form that can be capitalized on to increase resilience to sea level rise. The significant acreage conserved as permanently preserved open space serves as an example of a living shoreline and helps create a natural buffer from developed areas, and the grid street network in particular can be utilized to enhance safety and emergency access to the coast, the San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Estuary. Coastal erosion, flooding, and inundation may negatively impact the use of frontage roads that run parallel to the coast and San Diego Bay in particular; however, the grid network can provide continued access to the shoreline via the perpendicular orientation of streets. Streets that are multi‐ modal in nature maintain and enhance safe access for both emergency services and the public, and promote sustainability and quality of life. For example, strategies that pair the phased raising of roads and public infrastructure, and incorporation of other elements such as green infrastructure, can reduce the sea level rise vulnerability of the facility itself, and have broader community benefits such as reducing the strain on the storm water system. This multi‐benefit approach to ongoing capital improvements planning and programming can lessen the anticipated impacts of future sea level rise.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐12 Safety Element Policies

ADAPTATION PLANNING AND PROGRAMS
Commit to a phased, multi‐step LCP update process in order to respond to new information. a. Update the 2016 Sea Level Rise Assessment approximately once every ten ‐fifteen years consistent with the best available and recognized climate change science and/or measurable changes to sea level rise data at Scripps Pier Tide Gauge, the NOAA tide gauge in the San Diego Bay, and the data logger station at the Oneonta Slough (Estuary) as determined by the City.
a.b. Incorporate hazard assessments prepared as part of Multi‐Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan updates.

Collaborate with regional partners to establish a comprehensive beach and shoreline management plan to support adaptation of beach and shoreline areas along the coast, the San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Reserve Estuary.
a. Seek to maintain a continuous walkable beach and access to the coastbeach for recreational use and economic benefit except for temporary inaccessibility from extreme tides and storm events. b. Evaluate and utilize the adaptation strategies that are best suited to maintain and enhance the City’s environmental, economic, and social viability.
c. Evaluate and pursue funding for natural infrastructure pilot projects that protect assets from sea level rise and increased storm surges, and achieve co‐benefits that enhance natural and recreational resources and improve public access.
d. Identify and seek out other federal, state, regional, and local revenue sources for the City’s shoreline protection, management actions and programs.
e. Explore the establishment of an assessing entity and/or local revenue sources such as a Transient Occupancy Tax to fund shoreline adaptation, including, but not limited to, beach nourishment and living shoreline protection.
e.f. Evaluate the effectiveness of local and regional projects and programs to apply lessons learned and inform phased LCP updates.

Monitor beach profiles, and shoreline conditions and sea level rise impacts along the coast, San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Estuary to inform the beach and shoreline management plan. a. Monitor Imperial Beach shoreline changes in beach width and sand volume using SANDAG Regional Shoreline Monitoring Program annual data and reports.
b. Utilize the best available data source to track sea level rise trends. c. Track frequency, duration, and severity of flooding and coastal erosion events. d. Track annual sea level rise related impacts such as structure and infrastructure damage from storm events, flooding, and tidal inundation.
e. Encourage community input in ongoing adaptation strategy planning and implementation. f. Track progress towards trigger point adaptation strategy implementationthresholds.Utilize monitoring data, the Sea Level Rise Checklist, community input, and additional tools adopted by the City. to evaluate the effectiveness of existing adaptation strategies and inform the need for additional strategies. e.a. Encourage community input in ongoing adaptation strategy planning and implementation Incorporate resiliency measures and adaptation strategies into capital improvement planning and other investment decisions. Resiliency measures can include but are not limited to: raising of infrastructure and structures, establishment of permanent or temporary alternative routes for public transit and bikeways, green infrastructure that reduces flooding, and adaptation of stormwater and wastewater systems. a.

Resiliency measures can include but are not limited to: raising of infrastructure and structures, establishment of permanent or temporary alternative routes for public transit and bikeways, green infrastructure that

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐13 Safety Element reduces flooding, and adaptation of stormwater and wastewater systems. a.b. Use theDevelop a CIP‐appropriate Sea Level Rise Checklist included as a part of the City’s Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan to help eEvaluate the adaptive capacity of planned capital projects and identify suitable strategies to contribute towards maintaining and enhancing the City’s environmental, economic, and community viability.
b. Consider impacts to biological resources when evaluating adaption strategies.

Pursue the reestablishment of a Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP) program in Imperial Beach. Once in place, inform applicants, for new development in the City and in surrounding areas that do not have permitted SCOUP programs, of the City’s SCOUP program and encourage them to participate.

SHORELINE PROTECTION DEVICES
Allow the repair, maintenance, and enhancement of existing shoreline protective devices, or the extension of shoreline protection,  armoring, that do not result in feasibly avoidable negative community impacts and are necessary to protect structures from identified coastal hazards. a. Seek to avoid repair and maintenance projects that result in seaward encroachment of the shoreline protective device.
b. Work to ensure that repair and maintenance projects address and mitigate all coastal resource impacts the shoreline protective device is having, including with respect to local sand supply, public views and public recreational access.
c. Repair and maintenance that increases a shoreline protection device by more than 50 percent of its existing size constitutes replacement and is subject to requirements pertaining to new shoreline protection devices, unless those requirements preclude the City from protecting its economy, environment, and community character.
d. Enhancements and new development may be allowed provided no new negative community impacts are created and a walkable beach is maintained at low tide.

Allow coastal armoring shoreline protection  to protect and maintain safe public beach accessways, , including new coastal armoringshoreline protection associated with for beach restoration off the public beachor a publicly owned beach.
a. Limit the size and scope of the protective device armoring to the minimum amount necessary for the protection of public beach areas and public accessways, unless the size and scope provides a broader public systems benefit such as public safety or maintaining a walkable public beach at high tide. a. Consider placing armoring as far landward as possible to minimize impacts to natural beach processes and maximize the provision of safe lateral beach access.
b. Limit armoring to revetments and/or seawall, unless it can be demonstrated that such devices are enhancing the City’s economy, environment, and community character.

Evaluate modifications to the existing groins consistent with the goal of enhancing the shoreline environment, maintaining and/or increasing beach width, and public access, while also providing recreational opportunities and property protection.
a. Evaluate any potential negative impacts resulting from groin modification and employ feasible mitigations.

Continue the sand mitigation fee for replacement or construction of armoring shoreline protection and require the utilization of fees for sand replenishment. and/or retention as a first priority. Allow fees to be utilized for public access and/or recreation projects where no near‐term sand replenishment and/or retention projects are available for allocation.

Utilize suitable sand excavated during grading for permitted development for beach replenishment.

Permit revetments, breakwaters, groins, harbor channels, seawalls, shoreline protection devices and other such construction that alters natural shoreline processes when required to serve coastal‐dependent uses

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐14 Safety Element or to protect existing principal structures or public beaches in danger from erosion, and when designed to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply. a. Interim devices may be allowed prior to completion of a comprehensive shoreline protection plan designed for the area.

New development fronting of the coast shall incorporate an engineered vertical seawall in its design if it is determined that shoreline protection is necessary. Such a seawall shall, except for required toe protection, be located within the private property of the development and designed to be sufficient to protect the development from flooding during combined design storm and high tide events.

Design public improvements to minimize shoreline protection devices, if possible and require the minimum necessary protection that does not extend onto the beach further seaward than the authorized vertical shoreline protection on either side of the access improvements. a. Evaluate and prioritize shoreline protection alignment options that would not extend further seaward than the inland extent of Ocean Boulevard right‐of‐way in areas without continuous shoreline protection devices.
b. Where shoreline protection devices are necessary for public improvements shoreline protection devices may extend seaward a sufficient distance to accommodate a transition to the existing groin. Design all improvements to minimize impacts to shoreline sand supply.

Develop a coastal shoreline design recommendations based on best available science and local context protection device manual, for the design and construction of new and replacement seawalls and revetments. a. Include erosion management measures such as irrigation controls, landscaping ordinances, and other measures suitable to the changing nature of the Imperial Beach shoreline.

COORDINATIONE AND COLLABORATIONE
Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to research and develop adaptation strategies and projects and establish, identify, and access funding opportunities for implementation including but not limited to the following:
a. Periodic sand nourishment of beaches.
b. Living shoreline strategies such as dunes, wetlands and habitat restoration and enhancements. c. Green streets and infrastructure that increase sea level rise resilience. d. Pilot adaptation projects.
e. Flood control strategies and adaptations.
f. Sea level rise program and project planning.

Continue to coordinate with SANDAG and other coastal cities to implement the regional beach replenishment program and the adopted "Shoreline Preservation Strategy for the San Diego Region." Partner with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) to pursue joint adaptation planning and strategies to ensure that existing and future sea level rise impacts do not restrict emergency and public access to the Tijuana Estuary and identify potential negative impacts City adaptation strategies may have on the estuary.

Partner with the TRNERR to explore the feasibility of utilizing sand from the Tijuana River for beach nourishment, dunes, and living shoreline protection.

Explore the feasibility of cooperation with the Navy to increase resiliency and adaptation strategies berm protection for Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach (NOLF IB) and residential communities in Seaside Point.

Pursue increased planning and collaboration with coastal, Bayfront, and estuary front property owners to address the challenges of sea level rise on a community and neighborhood wide basis as a method to monitor and receive input from those property owners directly impacted.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐15 Safety Element REPI Policy

DEVELOPMENTDESIGN AND SITING
Require the completion of geo‐technical investigations concerning potential soils, geologic, seismic and/or flood hazards, and sea level rise (see also Policy 7.1.1). a. Determine which land uses are appropriate for the site. b. Determine what measures could be undertaken to reduce risks to life, public and private property, and natural systems throughout the anticipated economic life of the development.

Establish incentives to encourage the retrofit, redevelopment, and replacement of buildings and properties to meet or exceed construction building codes, including increased building elevation, setbacks, and other measures that would reduce sea level rise hazard risks, and increase resiliency and adaptive capacity.

Encourage the preparation of a Removal and Restoration Plan as a condition of approval for development subject to coastal hazards throughout the development’s life, to ensure that should the development become abandoned the property owner would be responsible for removal.

Require new development to provide adequate drainage and erosion control facilities that convey site drainage in a non‐erosive manner to minimize hazards resulting from increased runoff and erosion. a. Restore disturbed or degraded natural drainage systems where feasible, except where there are geologic or public safety concerns.
b. Employ construction and post‐development Best Management Practices (BMP) plans that specify BMPs and how they will be implemented, monitored, and maintained.

Evaluate hazard risks when reviewing proposals to adjust lot lines in areas subject to existing or future sea level rise impacts consistent with the IB SLR Assessment and future updates.

Review City CIP projects for location and avoid sciting new public facilities in hazardous areas. strict emergency and critical use facilities from all high‐risk areas. Consider moving existing public e facilities that are located in hazardous zones, at the end of their economic life if feasible, rather than rebuilding in place. a. Identify and implement adaptive measures to increase resiliency to existing and future sea level rise throughout the anticipated economic life of facilities where relocation is not feasible.

FLOODING
Develop and maintain an adequate flood control program. a. Seek to minimize development in areas of future flooding identified by the 2016 Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment and future updates unless adequate flood protection measures are developed. b. Require the minimum finished floor level for structures be above the known or projected flood plain level wherever feasible.
c. Prevent encroachment on existing water courses.
d. Restrict development in open 100‐year floodplain areas that remain uncommitted to development as identified on Figure S‐1, unless it can be demonstrated that de minimus impacts result and the City’s economy, environment, and social character are enhanced. No habitable structures or filling shall be permitted in the floodplain and only uses compatible with periodic flooding shall be allowed.

Educate property owners of existing development and proposed development and redevelopment about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance incentives to increase finished floor elevation above the required minimum base flood elevation.

Identify and establish temporary and/or permanent vehicle, public transit, and pedestrian and bicycle routes and facilities that can be used safely during flooding events. a. Implement alternate routes based on increased frequency of flooding and erosion impacts based on beach and shoreline monitoring data and estimated sea level rise consistent with the 2016 Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment or the most recent subsequent updates.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐16 Safety Element

7.2 Fire Hazards
Discussion
Fire hazards, including brush land and structure type, are a significant problem in San Diego County and throughout California. State law requires cities to update their general plan safety elements to address the risk of fire in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones. Imperial Beach does not have any VeryHighHazard FireHazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) within its boundaries, although there are areas that are adjacent to the City (to the southwest and to the east) that fit this classification. There is a small area within TRNERR that is called out as a “State or Federal Responsibility Area VHFHSZ.” Although Imperial Beach is an urbanized community surrounded by water on three sides and is not considered at high risk for wildland‐urban interface fires, the catastrophic fires that swept through California in 2017 and 2018 demonstrated that even areas of low fire hazard risk can experience extreme fire events. Climate change appears to play an increasing role in contributing to these disasters. Increasing knowledge about ember casting during Santa Ana wind events may show additional areas that could be at risk of wildland fires. It was discovered in 2016 that the native vegetation in the Tijuana River Valley was threatened with an infestation of the Kuroshio shot hole borer beetle. With such vulnerable vegetation possibly becoming fuel for extreme fire events,the various jurisdictions in the Tijuana River Valley will need to closely monitor the conditions in the Valley and propose contingency measures to protect life and property in the event the conditions appear ripe for a wildland fire to occur. Therefore, while urban fire hazards are the main concern in Imperial Beach, conditions in the Tijuana River Valley will need to be monitored to see if dry or dying vegetation poses as an additional fire hazard concern.

Population density, proximity of structures and different uses, electric and natural gas use and infrastructure, and other factors present a high risk of fire. Some of the primary structures and land uses that present fire risks in Imperial Beach are:

Single Family Residential Buildings
Multi‐Story Buildings
Medical Facilities
Schools
Community centers, senior centers, and other indoor public assembly facilities Gas and electric utility lines
Transportation, storage, and use of flammable materials The Imperial Beach Pier
Generally, adequate water supplies for fire suppression exist throughout the City. Water is a critical element in fire protection. Of all the factors considered by fire insurance underwriters, water supply is the most heavily weighed (see Facilities and Services Element).

FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY
Fire prevention measures are usually undertaken for the safety of residents and property, as well as to reduce insurance premiums. Regulations that reduce fire risks are described in this section.

The Building and Fire Codes are the most important regulatory codes from the standpoint of fire safety, but are intended to serve only as minimum standards.

The Zoning Ordinance helps prevent the construction of unsuitable or hazardous structures.

Subdivision regulations are used to reduce the risk of fire as they govern the process of dividing land into building sites.

Weeds are a fire hazard. Weed abatement ordinances, strictly enforced, can eliminate this potential hazard.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐17 Safety Element Certain structures can be classified as "fire hazardous" and should be considered as public nuisances. Fire hazardous buildings are those which, upon ignition, permit the rapid spread of fire. They are generally characterized by substandard electrical wiring, open stairwells and obsolete heating facilities. Emergency access is another critical aspect for addressing fire hazards. As mentioned previously in Section 7.1, the grid street network facilitates emergency access. Focused street improvements can improve fire access throughout the city, including to shoreline development. As the City evolves, and especially as Sea Level Rise increases, emergency fire access to certain parts of the city, especially areas such as South Seacoast Drive, may become more restricted.

Policies
Ensure that new development and redevelopment has or provides sufficient emergency fire access, including at least two emergency evacuation routes, and that it is maintained throughout the anticipated economic life of the development.

Ensure that individual street and transportation improvements do not result in loss of emergency fire access. In cases where an individual improvement diminishes or eliminates access on that street ensure there are alternate routes with sufficient access, including at least two emergency evacuation routes.

Ensure that the latest versions of the adopted Building and Fire Codes are adopted and enforced.

Ensure that public and private landowners implement site specific safety measures that mitigate to a low risk condition fire hazards to neighboring public and private properties.

Work cooperatively with other agencies and private interests to educate private landowners on the benefits of fire‐safe measures (including fire‐rated roofing and construction materials) and vegetation management, to achieve a low risk condition.

Monitor conditions in the Tijuana River Valley to assess fire risk to nearby uses due to climate change and habitat impairment events.

7.3 Geological and Seismic Hazards
Discussion

LOCALGEOLOGY
Like most of the South Bay area, Imperial Beach is underlain by the San Diego Formation, a tertiary shallow water marine deposit of Pliocene Age. An important feature of this formation is the fact that it is locally fossiliferous. The formation consists of chiefly dense, easily pulverized, silty, very finely bedded sandstones.

The more recent Quaternary deposits include three general types of material. A narrow strip of beach deposits, whose deposition is mainly caused by ocean currents and wave action, is found along the entire coastline of Imperial Beach. The urbanized area of the City is almost entirely underlain by the Baypoint formation, which consists of recent marine mud. The surface geology of the Tijuana River Estuary consists of alluvial material. This deposition was caused by the Tijuana River's erosive action upstream. The alluvial material consists of layers of sand and gravel, as well as larger stones. Imperial Beach's geology is shown in Figure S‐2.

SEISMICHAZARDS
Virtually any land bordering the Pacific Ocean is subject to those effects of the movements of the earth's crust known as earthquakes. Even though Southern California is known for its earthquakes, actual losses to life and property have been small. In fact, these losses have been much less than other areas of the world, which routinely suffer from tornadoes, epidemics, hurricanes or earthquakes. Itis generally agreed, however,thatthe potentialfor severe earthquake damage does exist, and that local authorities should provide some measure of security against that potential. The purpose of the Safety

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐18 Safety Element Element is, therefore, to set forth policies and programs which will help protect life and property from preventable damage due to seismic activity.

Available data indicate there are three major regional zones of faulting within the San Diego region: (1)the San Jacinto Fault Zone, located in the eastern part of the county, is considered to be a major active branch of the San Andreas fault system, the maximum probable earthquake from this fault is between 7.5 and 7.8 on the Richter scale; (2) the Elsinore fault zone paralleling the San Jacinto fault zone is the largest known active fault in the county of San Diego. It is approximately 135 miles long. The area of most probable activity is between Lake Elsinore and Vallecito Valley, a distance of about 60 miles.

The maximum probable earthquake magnitude from this fault is 7.6; and (3) the Rose Canyon fault zone, paralleling the Pacific coastline, is considered to be the possible southeasterly extension of the Newport‐Inglewood fault zone, which was the source of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.

The Sweetwater and La Nacion Faults are located 4 to 6 miles inland from and parallel to the Rose Canyon fault and San Diego Bay. Presumably, they are related to the fault system which created the depression now occupied by San Diego Bay and Mission Bay. These two faults do not appear to have been active in recent time. The La Nacion is the closest fault to Imperial Beach, being located about two miles east of the City.

The SanDiego region has historically been seismically quiet(less than 4.0 on the Richter scale) although atleast 23‐recorded epicenters of 2.0 to 3.0 have been recorded since 1948. Historic records in the San Diego region date back 200 years. Of that period,the last 40 years represent accurate technical data. The Elsinore and San Jacinto faults have exhibited enough activity to warrant making statements on their respective degree of activity as follows:

For the Elsinore fault: one in 60 years at 7.3 magnitude; one in 100 years at a magnitude of 7.6 (maximum credible); and
For the San Jacinto fault: one in 90 years at 7.3; and one in 100 years at 7.8 magnitude (maximum credible, McEven and Pinckey).

Recentresearch also suggests thatthe Rose Canyon Fault has considerable destructive potential and is capable of producing a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. Its proximity to Imperial Beach would mean an earthquake could dramatically impact Imperial Beach and could trigger a near‐shore tsunami. Estimates suggest that the fault produces one substantial earthquake every 700 years with the most recent one occurring in 1862 that may have measured around 6.0. Potential geologic or seismic hazards are described below.

General Plan/ Local Coastal Program  S‐19 Safety Element FigureS‐2 Geology

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐20 Safety Element

GROUND SHAKING
Ground shaking is the oscillation or vibration of earth materials resulting from an earthquake. It is the most commonly experienced earthquake phenomenon because it may be felt tens or hundreds of miles from the earthquake epicenter.

Assuming there are no known faults within Imperial Beach, and the nearest faultis the La Nacion, located 2 miles east of the City, it can reasonably be predicted that any damage from future earthquakes will be due to local ground shaking originating from a more distant source.

Ground shaking hazards are most likely to occur in areas of Imperial Beach underlain by loose, water‐saturated, unconsolidated materials commonly referred to as deposits. The severity and type of ground shaking depends on several factors including: (1) earthquake magnitude and duration; (2) distance from the earthquake's epicenter; (3) local subsurface conditions; and (4) type of construction material used.

In general, much of Imperial Beach lies upon deposits which are poorly consolidated or unconsolidated aggregates of silt, sand and gravel. There is high potential of earthquake damage to structures located on this material.

LIQUEFACTION, LATERAL SPREADING AND DIFFERENTIAL COMPACTION

LIQUEFACTION
Resultant ground shaking during an earthquake will tend to compact loose deposits of cohesionless soils. It is generally recognized the higher the groundwater level the greater the shaking. If the soils are saturated, the compaction will result in an increase in the water pressure in the soil. With increased water pressure,the water within the soil willtend to flow upward and may turn the soil deposit into "quicksand" due to loss of shear strength. Flow to the ground surface may be manifested by sand boils and a gradual sinking or differential settlement of structures. Liquefaction of deeper strata may be manifested by ground cracking and lurching. Where soilthicknesses vary or where subsoil conditions are erratic, differential compaction of the soil layers may occur resulting in differential settlement of the ground surface.

The results of laboratory tests and investigations of liquefaction sites indicate that uniformly graded materials (those predominantly of one size such as beach sand) are more susceptible to liquefaction than well‐graded materials and that, for uniformly graded soils, fine sands tend to liquefy more easily than do coarse sands, graded soils, silts or oil. In addition, loose soil deposits will tend to liquefy more readily than denser deposits and shallower strata, more than deeper strata. Further, intensity of ground shaking and duration of ground shaking play an important role. The longer the duration of strong shaking, the more likely it is that liquefaction will occur. Since the intensity and duration of ground shaking are somewhat proportional to earthquake magnitude, liquefaction is more likely to occur during moderate to strong earthquakes. When it does occur, the effects are severe with extensive damage resulting from shifting, tilting and floating.

It is emphasized that liquefaction potential depends upon many factors; in addition to ground water levels, are factors such as soil type, relative density and the intensity and duration of ground shaking. Due to the structure of the soils and the high water table within the City limits, liquefaction poses the biggest threat of serious damage in the event of moderate or major seismic activity.

LATERAL SPREADING
Lateral spreading is caused by ground shaking that triggers the movement of soils towards an unsupported surface or slope (not necessarily steep). Extensive damage to buildings can result from the mass flow of land areas, particularly along waterfront areas and on soft, saturated clays.

DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT
The occurrence of differential settlement has been well documented in many major earthquakes and results from the non‐ uniform settlement of loose and medium‐dense granular soils during ground shaking. Differential settlement often results in serious structural damage to buildings and underground utilities.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐21 Safety Element A general lack of available data precludes a detailed evaluation of ground failure hazards in Imperial Beach. A review of the data that have been collected and a review of the history of seismic events in the San Diego region has not revealed any documented instance of ground failure, other than that of landslides. It should not be concluded, however, that ground failure may not occur due to future seismic activity. It is likely that the soil and ground water conditions in the coastal areas, bay margins, and especially the bay fill areas are places for the potential hazards identified above to occur.

FAULT DISPLACEMENT
Ground fractures may occur during an earthquake where there are uncompacted soils or an abrupt change in depth of the bedrock beneath the subsoil. Some soils affected by seismic vibrations may be compacted or lurch sideways causing cracks in the ground.

The closest fault to Imperial Beach is the La Nacion Fault, located about 2 miles east (running in a north/south direction) of Imperial Beach. It is not likely, therefore, that extensive fault displacement will occur in Imperial Beach.

SUBSIDENCE AND UPLIFT
Subsidence and Uplift often accompany fault movement. Such movement affects harbor levels, the flow of water in canals and tunnels and distorts land survey lines. This phenomena is typically associated with the withdrawal of groundwater or petroleum, with large limestone deposits; with volcanism; or with hydro compaction. None of these constitute a significant problem in Imperial Beach.

GROUNDWATER PROBLEMS
Because of the presence of the estuary and lands that are periodically inundated, the groundwater level in Imperial Beach is relatively high, less than 25 feet in the urban areas of the City, and as close as eight feet to the surface at Ninth Street and Imperial Beach Boulevard.

The presence of shallow groundwater, in conjunction with other soil parameters, can be of great consequence in terms of ground stability during an earthquake i.e., liquefaction. The largest area subject to this hazard is around the margin of the San Diego Bay.

Studies of recent earthquakes have concluded that some liquefaction has occurred in every major earthquake observed around the world in the past ten to fifteen years.

For liquefaction to potentially occur, three conditions are necessary: 1) generally cohesionless soils, 2) groundwater, and 3) moderate or major earthquake. In Imperial Beach, as in other areas along the Pacific Coast, as well as throughout the world, all three conditions or potential conditions exist in varying degrees.

Additionally, sea level rise may impact groundwater and should be monitored when feasible to do so.

EXPANSIVE SOILS
An expansive soil is one which will substantially increase in volume when wetted and, because the process is reversible, will shrink when it dries. This is characteristic of cohesive, clay‐like soils.

Expansive soils are a common feature and problem throughout Southern California. Not only do direct damage costs amount to many millions of dollars each year (for Southern California), but the damage is usually reflected in lower property values and resulting tax revenues. The problems resulting from expansive soils can be controlled by proper engineering and construction practices. The presence or absence of expansive soils is therefore not considered a critical factor in overall land planning. What is critical is to ensure that proper engineering and construction practices are observed. The City should remain cognizant of the problem. Soils in Imperial Beach are shown in Figure S‐3.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐22 Safety Element

LANDSLIDES
Since the terrain ofImperial Beach is generally flat, landslides cannot be considered a significant hazard. There are, however, small cliffs within Border Field State Park and atthe south end of SeacoastDrive. Limited landslides may occurin these areas during an earthquake of sufficient magnitude.

TSUNAMIS
A Tsunami is a sea wave generated by a submarine earthquake, landslide or volcanic action. While the possibility of a major tsunami from either of the latter two events is considered to be extremely remote for Imperial Beach, a tsunami caused by a submarine earthquake is considered possible. Submarine earthquakes are common around the edges ofthe Pacific Ocean, as well as other areas. Therefore, all of the Pacific Coastal areas are subject to this potential hazard to a greater or lesser degree.

Tsunamis travel across the ocean as powerful, long, but low waves; perhaps 50 miles long and only one or two feet high.

Traveling at almost 500 mph in the Pacific, such a wave in the open causes no problems; and, in fact, the slope of the wave front may be imperceptible to a ship at sea. However, as the tsunami waves approach the coastline, they are affected by shallow bottom topography and the configuration of the coastline, which transform the waves into very high, potentially devastating waves. Even if large waves do not occur, strong currents (as high as 40 feet per second) can cause extensive damage. Near‐source tsunamis can occur from earthquakes that are generally less than 200 kilometers away and of 6.5 magnitude or greater. The waves from these tsunamis are likely to be extremely powerful and can impact the shore in 3 – 15 minutes. Faults such as Rose Canyon could trigger such an event. Even though most of Imperial Beach lies within the category of low‐lying shoreline, it is not possible to predict the likelihood or magnitude of a major tsunami.

Policies
Restrict development so that no portion of any habitable structure should be built across any fault should one be discovered.

Ensure that the City keeps up‐to‐date on the seismic potential of the Rose Canyon fault as further research is conducted.

Seek out opportunities to collaborate with agencies involved in monitoring the impacts of sea level rise on groundwater supplies and dynamics and liquefaction potential in the region.

General Plan/ Local Coastal Program  S‐23 Safety Element FigureS‐3 Soils

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐24 Safety Element

7.4 Disaster Preparedness
Discussion
The possibility of major disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis, requires ongoing preparation. Imperial Beach and San Diego County actively participate in a program of disaster preparedness and relief for those extraordinary emergency operations of both governmental and nongovernmental groups. Imperial Beach has taken steps to increase disaster preparedness through its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), and as a participating jurisdiction in preparation of the San Diego County Multi‐Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).

The Multi‐Jurisdiction HMP azard Mitigation Plan is a countywide plan that identifies risks and ways to minimize damage by natural and manmade disastersdisasters and is incorporated by reference in this General Plan. The document presents a risk assessmentfor coastal storms, erosion,tsunamis, dam failures, earthquakes, flooding,rain‐induced landslides, liquefaction, wildfires, and manmade hazards. The plan is a comprehensive resource document that serves many purposes such as enhancing public awareness, creating a decision tool for management, promoting compliance with state and federal program requirements, enhancing local policies for hazard mitigation capability, and providing inter‐jurisdictional coordination. The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all local governments to create such a disaster plan in order to qualify for hazard mitigation funding.

San Diego County’s plan was last revised in 20180 and was adopted by the City. , and isIt is currently being revised to reflect changes to the hazards threatening San Diego as well as the programs in place to minimize or eliminate those hazards. This revision will include an evaluation ofthe impact climate change is having on the natural hazards facing SanDiego. In advance of the update to the multi‐jurisdictional plan, the City of Imperial Beach has taken steps to improve resiliency to climate change through preparation of the Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment Report (2016) and Local Coastal Program‐ focused General Plan Update (201920220).

To increase emergency preparedness, state law requires local governments to identify and evaluate evacuation routes (AB 747, 2019) and to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (SB 99, 2019).  In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, Imperial Beach residents would have multiple options through the existing City street system as shown on Figure M‐3, which provides connections to the regional transportation system.   The City is prepared to provide instructions to residents  on which roadways should be used through the City’s website and social media platforms including the City’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, and through digital signage. Routes would vary based on the type of emergency and the area affected.   The City would also coordinate outreach with the Sheriff’s Office, the Firefighters Association, and the County of San Diego.  For tsunamis, the County of San Diego has created evacuation zone maps for each of the region’s coastal cities.  The Imperial Beach tsunami map is shown below.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐25 Safety Element New! FIGURE S‐4  TSUNAMI EVACUATION MAP

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐26 Safety Element .

Policies
Minimize injury, loss of life, and property damage from natural and manmade hazards.

Continue to maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which is compatible with, and complementary to, that of the County. Update the plan as the understanding of the threat of earthquakes, tsunamis, fire, and other potential disasters evolves.

Participate in the development of, and adopt future updates to the San Diego County Multi‐Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as necessary to maintain eligibility for federal post‐disaster grant funding.

Coordinate across City and County departments and seek to align the Multi‐JurisdictionLocal Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) with the LCP to ensure that proactive adaptation efforts are coordinated and responses to damage from future coastal hazards are streamlined. Identify future adaptation projects that meet the goals of both the LCP and Multi‐Jurisdictional LHMP and leverage FEMA funding opportunities for hazard mitigation and other related funding mechanisms to implement such projects.

Continue to promote public awareness of potential hazards and disaster preparedness, including encouraging citizen participation in the County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Imperial Beach.

Initiate education programs in lower grades using displays and demonstrations that would expose younger children to the nature and danger of fire. Such programs would tend to replace their natural curiosity with a sense of respect.

Support or sponsor exhibits and presentations in secondary schools which demonstrate the more involved aspects of fire dynamics; i.e., major contributing factors to fire hazard and the relationship of fire to the natural ecology. Encourage parental cooperation and assistance in overall fire education programs.

Develop a public information program to familiarize the citizens of the region with the Public Safety Element.

School Districts and agencies which deal with the aged, handicapped and susceptible industries should be encouraged to develop educational programs relative to public safety awareness.

Seek out opportunities to educate the public about the threats from, and disaster preparedness for, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other hazards.

Continue to seek public input to inform strategies, response plans, evacuation routes, and prioritization of public improvements related to disaster preparedness and resiliency.

Coastal Act Policies ‐ Safety
Section 30235 Revetments, breakwaters, groins, harbor channels, seawalls, cliff retaining walls, and other such construction that alters natural shoreline processes shall be permitted when required to serve coastal‐dependent uses or to protect existing structures or public beaches in danger from erosion, and when designed to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply. Existing marine structures causing water stagnation contributing to pollution problems and fish kills should be phased out or upgraded where feasible.

Section 30236 Channelizations, dams, or other substantial alterations of rivers and streams shall incorporate the best mitigation measures feasible, and be limited to (l) necessary water supply projects, (2) flood control projects where no other method for protecting existing structures in the flood plain is feasible and where such protection is necessary for public safety or to protect existing development, or (3) developments where the primary function is the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.

Section 30253

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐27 Safety Element New development shall do all of the following:
(a) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high geologic, flood, and fire hazard. (b) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither create nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic instability, or destruction ofthe site or surrounding area orin any way require the construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs and cliffs. (c) Be consistent with requirements imposed by an air pollution control district or the State Air Resources Board as to each particular development.
(d) Minimize energy consumption and vehicle miles traveled. (e) Where appropriate, protect special communities and neighborhoods that, because of their unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points for recreational uses.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   S‐28 Safety Element This page intentionally left blank.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐1 Design Element

8.0 Design Element
Communities should be planned with an eye to the effect made upon the human spirit of being surrounded by beauty instead of ugliness.

Thomas Jefferson
Goals
Preservation of Imperial Beach’s small beach‐town character Preservation and enhancement of public views that celebrate the City’s relationship to the coast and visually connect people to Imperial Beach’s distinctive environment A built environment that contributes to the aesthetic enjoyment of both residents and visitors, supports healthy active living, and contributes to the economic well‐being of the community A City that is designed for walkability, sustainability, and coastal resiliency Background
The Design Element is an optional General Plan topic under the state planning law. The intent of this Element is to meet Coastal Act requirements for the protection of scenic and visual qualities of the City and promote integrity of the community’s small beach‐town character. Imperial Beach’s location along the Pacific Ocean coastline shapes it character and provides scenic views of the ocean from numerous vantage points. The relationship to the ocean and bay are critical components of the Imperial Beach identity. The interplay between the built and natural environment poses unique opportunities and challenges in balancing community life with resiliency and environmental stewardship along the coast.

The character of Imperial Beach's environment presents both special opportunities and special perils. The opportunity lies in the richness of the City's natural, coastal setting. The peril lies in the fragile nature of Imperial Beach's environment and in the speed with which it can be destroyed. The community is located within the “square‐shaped" confines ofthe SanDiego Bay and Silver Strand; the Oneonta Slough and Tijuana River Estuary; and the Pacific Ocean, and one is always aware of the setting in a way that is not true of other areas. In such a restricted and exposed environment, it takes little in the way of inappropriate buildings, tangles of overhead wires or jumble of signs and lost views to create ugliness in the place of beauty.

From a natural and built environmental standpoint, Imperial Beach has a number of unique qualities. These include:

A large variety of views and natural settings
Generally, wherever a person may find themself in Imperial Beach, there is a vista within close proximity. This may be an open vista to the Pacific Ocean, a panorama of surf and ocean, views of tidal infill at sunset or the sweeping view of the Playa de Tijuana skyline and Tijuana bullfight ring contrasting with the natural openness of the Tijuana River Estuary.

A sense of place
The natural elements of the terrain in Imperial Beach create an identifiable sense of enclosure, while a strong focal point is evident in the Pacific Ocean.

A small‐scale, man‐made environment
Imperial Beach neighborhoods are primarily comprised of one or two story buildings, with higher heights permitted in certain areas.

Linear Movement
In Imperial Beach the major vehicular routes generally follow the natural configurations of the land, allowing for convenient routes of travel within the community, scenic views, and an enhanced sense of place.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐2 Design Element Extensive Open Space
The open space in Imperial Beach presents an extraordinary design opportunity not only because of its extent, but also because of its location and specific characteristics.

Visual and scenic resources specific to Imperial Beach include the following:

The Pacific Ocean
The ocean is perhaps the most scenic resource in Imperial Beach. The views of the Pacific Ocean in Imperial Beach can be enhanced if they are enframed or seen through an appropriate screen. The ocean is open space, a focus of major views, an attraction to visitors and a place of human activity.

The Tijuana River Estuary
The Tijuana River Estuary offers one of the most unique scenic resources. The Tijuana River Estuary can be viewed from several vantage points, a few of which are the Mesa bluff‐top in Border Field State Park, the southern terminus of Seacoast Drive and along Imperial Beach Boulevard. Depending from where the Tijuana River Estuary is viewed, the perception of the area changes dramatically. This is due to the interplay of different visual aspects. ‐ Views from along Imperial Beach Boulevard focus on the Tijuana bullfight ring and Mesa Bluff‐top area, which act as the terminal features of the vista. This terminal point sets the theme of the view; a vast expanse of open space separating two urban areas, in fact, two countries. ‐ From the end of the Seacoast Drive, a different perspective of the Tijuana River Estuary is achieved. Here, the narrow waterways form a visual axis. The axis, essentially, is a linear element transversing the view. The waterways, in fact, become the dominant feature. The perceived view is of a wet‐land type habitat between the shore and inland development.
‐ The final viewing point is the Mesa bluff‐top of Border Field State Park. This spot, itself a terminal point of another vista, produces a reverse interest view. From the bluff‐top, one views a panoramic coastline scene ranging from the beaches below, along the coast past the estuary to Imperial Beach and Coronado.

The Estuary and Slough define the boundary between the urbanized City and the natural undeveloped City. This space has had an influence on all the people of Imperial Beach, either as a recreational resource, a place to go for solitude, or as an environmental resource.

Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach (NOLF IB)/Ream Field.

This represents a scenic resource in that it draws spectators to view the helicopters. This particular vista is ideally suited to passive recreational activities for many, while simultaneously representing a prime source of noise pollution to others.

The City Beach
A unique scenic resource, the City beach encompasses the area from the northern City limits, south to the International Border. This area has numerous focal points ranging from the City Pier, to the variety of building types, to the sandy beach. Daytime views include the Coronado Islands, the beach itself, the ocean, the Silver Strand, Coronado, Point Loma, and Downtown San Diego. Nighttime views include lights on the pier, lights on the ocean, Point Loma, the Coronado Bridge, Coronado and Downtown San Diego.

Salt Ponds and South San Diego Bay
The Salt Ponds act as the gateway to Imperial Beach as one enters into the City along former State Route 75/Palm Avenue (now relinquished to the City) from either the Silver Strand area or from Interstate 5. They serve as important gateways to the City, and excellent nighttime views of the Coronado Bridge and Downtown San Diego are visible from these resources.

Coastal Act Policies
Imperial Beach residents and visitors enjoy spectacular scenic resources and unique coastal amenities and resources. Scenic resources include the shoreline including beaches, bluffs, canyons, natural landforms and designated scenic view corridors

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐3 Design Element from publicly‐owned properties along or through public rights‐of‐way, as defined in the Coastal Act or designated by the City.

One of the primary objectives of the Coastal Act is the protection of scenic and visual resources, particularly as viewed from public places. Section 30251 requires that development be sited and designed to protect views to and along the ocean and other scenic coastal areas. New development must minimize the alteration of natural landforms. This policy also requires that development is sited and designed to be visually compatible with the character of surrounding areas. Where feasible, development shall include measures to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas.

Imperial Beach strives to be an environmentally and economically sustainable community showcasing its unique seaside character, natural resources and setting near the international border. The City embraces environmental stewardship, fostering healthy living, and promoting economic and social diversity. The City desires to promote and maintain commercial/visitor‐serving areas that contribute to the City’s coastal design and character. Figure D‐1 identifies the primary public coastal view corridors in the City.

Imperial Beach strives to be an environmentally and economically sustainable community showcasing its unique seaside character, natural resources and setting near the international border.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐4 Design Element

8.1 Community Design Character
Discussion
As discussed in the Land Use Element, the small scale “classic Southern California” beach‐oriented community is important to the identity of Imperial Beach. The City has maintained a fairly low‐intensity scale that is rich in character and diversity.

Imperial Beach is primarily comprised of one‐ and two‐story buildings organized in neighborhoods and functional areas that are generally compact and well defined. These neighborhoods and functional areas are shown in Figure D‐2:

Seacoast. The area comprised of the municipal pier and the City beach north of Imperial Beach Boulevard; this area has important physical and built form relationships to the San Diego Unified Port District (SDUPD) jurisdiction and coastal resource areas.

South Seacoast. The linear beach front residential developments south of Imperial Beach Boulevard along Seacoast Drive.

Tijuana Estuary District. The area encompasses the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Border Field State Park.

Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach/Ream Field
Bayside District, located north of Palm Avenue/former State Route 75.

Residential neighborhoods of Mar Vista, Central, Seaside Point and Oneonta.

The small scale “classic Southern California” beach‐oriented community is important to the identity of Imperial Beach.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐5 Design Element Figure D‐1 Coastal View Corridors

General Plan/ Local Coastal Program  D‐6Design Element

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐7 Design Element FigureD‐2 NeNeighborhoods and Functional Areas
Policies

CITYWIDEDESIGN AND COASTAL VIEWS
Develop sites adjacent to environmentally sensitive habitat areas in a manner that maintains public view corridors and prevents impacts consistent with Coastal Act Section 30240.

Protect public views to the beach, bay, estuary as well as to other scenic resources from major public viewpoints (see Figure D‐1). Development that may affect a public view shall be designed and sited in a manner so as to preserve or enhance designated view opportunities. Street trees and vegetation should be chosen and sited so as not to block views upon maturity.

Require development design ‐ including neighborhoods, streets, and individual properties ‐ that is pleasing to the eye, rich in variety, harmonious with existing development, and emphasizes the relationship to the ocean and bay.

Design new development to relate to Imperial Beach’s existing and evolving high quality design.

Require that all development is located, sited, and designed to maintain compatibility with established or desired community character, scale, and diversity of architectural design.

Encourage architectural designs reflective of a traditional California seaside community.

Strive for excellence and diversity in design through consideration of the following:
 Avoid uniformly repetitious buildings and modules and unbroken expanses of wall.  Encourage balanced and coordinated variety in height, materials and color.  Vary setbacks of buildings. Additionally, stepbacks should be considered where transitions occur between mixed‐use development and single‐family residential.

Use simple palettes of landscape materials in masses to complement or screen various parts of the building(s) and achieve a park‐like setting.

Size and design signs, walkways and parking area lights and other elements of development to be low keyed, but effective in scale, color and brightness.

Design development projects to respect, work with, and enhance the natural features of the land.

Integrate natural scenic amenities such as mature trees, watercourses and views into project design.

Orient and construct structures to take advantage of the beneficial features of the climate and be protected from the negative ones in order to reduce energy consumption and increase the enjoyment of the residents.

Regulate project uses and design to create harmonious relationships between adjoining uses.

The pattern of existing neighborhoods should be respected. A development should be integrated with the adjacent neighborhood if the project size or natural boundaries dictate, or the design should create one or more separate and strong neighborhood identities.

Structures should relate to neighborhood structures both within and adjacent to the development and not create a harsh contrast of scale, style or color.

Areas of noisy activity and areas of quieter use should be separated by space or buffers, both within and between projects.

Lighting and signs should be designed, located and directed so as not to disturb adjacent uses, to consider sensitive resources, and to avoid effects on wildlife. .

Where 3‐ or 4‐story structures are developed adjacent to existing 1‐or 2‐story structures, the new development shall be designed to respect the scale of the 1‐ and 2‐story structures. Such designs could include a wider side yard setback for the 2nd and 3rd story, hip roofs, or similar features. Within the commercial/mixed‐use areas, such scale‐reducing design features could include varying wall planes, setbacks, and upper‐story stepbacks that reduce overall massing and provide roof treatments that are complementary to adjacent properties.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐8 Design Element

REVIEW PROCESS
Adopt City design guidelines to be used in the design review process.

Require design review for all residential properties of 2 dwelling units or more, all new mixed‐use development, and all new non‐residential development structures.

RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT
Provide open space in all residential developments as appropriate to the needs of the residents and the types of units.

In lower density areas, generally provide yards or patios.

In medium or higher density developments, provide usable private outdoor areas, and indoor and outdoor common areas that foster a sense of community such as interior courts, community rooms, patios or roof gardens.

Group buildings into "neighborhoods" or clusters and be oriented so that building entryways are visible to encourage neighborhood surveillance.

Where separate units face onto a common open space, the design should relate specific portions of the open space to each unit. This has been shown to increase individual responsibility for surveillance as well as upkeep.

Include and provide for a number of amenities such as adequate storage areas, pathways, and attractive landscaped areas.

COMMERCIAL AND MIXED USEDESIGN
Require active uses on the ground floor facing primary commercial corridors and in proximity to transit access.

Integrate pedestrian scale design and user amenities into mixed‐use development.

Provide visual and physical transitions between new and lower scale buildings by incorporating building relationships to the street and incorporating pedestrian‐oriented features.

Design building street–facing facades to provide transparency and support active ground floor uses.

Where appropriate, the residential component of mixed‐use developments should be informed by residential design policies and zoning requirements.

Implement visitor serving commercial development standards that encourage pedestrian activity through the design and location of building frontages and parking provisions. Reduce the visual prominence of parking lots along major corridors when new development or redevelopment occurs.

Continue to enhance the Seacoast Corridor as a pedestrian‐oriented visitor‐serving destination by managing and regulating redevelopment and use transitions to reinforce scale and character through strong building relationships to the street and pedestrian‐oriented features.

Encourage safe and enjoyable browsing by customers through coordinated and attractive signs, walkways, patios, display windows, and entrances. Optimally, the entrance to such an enjoyable area should be designed to be obvious to the passing motorist and pedestrian, and be linked to the public sidewalk and the parking area.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐9 Design Element Design parking lots to be attractively landscaped, and safe for the motorists and pedestrians walking from their cars or the street.

8.2 Public Realm and Public Facilities
Discussion
An attractive, walkable City promotes healthy community activities and supports a quality environment for a strong economy. The character and form of Imperial Beach exudes attractive community attributes especially in beach‐visitor focused areas. Public realm features such as civic buildings, public spaces, continuous sidewalks, thematic palm street trees and right‐of‐way landscaping further contribute to the visual quality of the City. The design and architecture of public buildings and facilities provides opportunities to meet multiple public needs, enhance the identity of the community and serve as a catalyst for private investment. The Imperial Beach Library, which opened in 2017, is an outstanding example of a design that conveys the City’s beach‐town character and is a landmark destination. It is a coastal‐themed building with materials reminiscent of beach cottages, and a roof that was designed to capture the feel of a breaking wave. The library was constructed as a net zero energy building and with sustainable building materials.

Policies in this section focus on the quality, location, and maintenance of public realm and public facilities for long‐term community quality.

Policies

CIVIC ARCHITECTURE AND PUBLIC SPACES
Celebrate the City with thoughtful and prominent civic architecture. a. Projects should be fiscally sound and environmentally sustainable. b. Projects should consider designing for co‐benefits to serve multiple needs.

The Imperial Beach Library is a landmark
destination.

Photo credit: Ricky Jose Cervantes

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐10 Design Element Where feasible, provide distinctive public open space, public art, greens, and/or plazas around civic buildings and facilities.

TREE‐COVERED CITY IMAGE
Promote the evolution of a green, tree‐covered image for the City (see also the Conservation Element ‐ Urban Forestry). Require appropriate specimen‐sized trees as part of new development or City projects. a. Preserve whenever possible mature trees, tree masses, and tree rows of significant aesthetic or historic quality, consistent with the public safety.
b. Require public and private projects to avoid destruction of significant trees when preservation is economically realistic and consistent with sound planning and horticultural practices. c. Protect the City's most significant landmark trees, tree masses, and tree rows on a permanent basis and not just at the time of project review.
d. Encourage the planting of additional new trees throughout the City.

Provide landscaping, including the preservation and planting of large trees and maintaining open space, to ensure a pleasing and open landscaped vista to residents and passersby.

Design and landscape visible public improvements to blend into their backdrop. a. Major linear improvements, such as major roadways should be well landscaped. b. Design water and stormwater management structures to be constructed of materials and colors so as not to draw attention to their alteration of nature. Where the purpose of the structure permits, it should be landscaped to aid in its camouflage.

Utilities that cannot be feasibly placed underground due to their high voltage or other safety or cost considerations should be located and designed in such a fashion as to provide the least visual and environmental impact on the community.

REVITALIZATION
Support long‐term property maintenance and community revitalization to retain and enhance the attractive, human‐scale, beach‐ oriented small‐town atmosphere.

Rendering for a new Community Center

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐11 Design Element a. Continue and expand a public and private graffiti removal program and utilize innovative programs such as the promotion of murals.
b. Consider the provision of rehabilitation assistance in residential neighborhoods to eliminate code violations and enable the upgrading of residential properties.
c. Promote aggressive enforcement of City codes, including building, zoning, and health and safety, to promote building and property maintenance. Particular attention shall be given to removal of illegal uses. d. Promote commercial area revitalization through storefront and landscape improvement loan and grant programs.
e. Promote revitalization of the City through the installation of public improvements such as street and alley lighting, undergrounding of utilities, and street, sidewalk, alley, median and landscape improvements. f. Complete, through the use of assessment districts or other means, the construction of missing sidewalks with high priority to:
 Streets leading to the beaches,
 Streets used by children walking to school, and
 Streets that provide good pedestrian access to commercial areas and transit.

Actively pursue grant programs to accomplish the above activities.

Encourage the provision of public art and spaces for cultural use as a means to distinguish and enliven spaces.

Design projects to encourage “eyes on the street” as a means to discourage and deter crime through the location of physical features, activities and people to maximize visibility.

SIGNS
Design and locate signs to minimize impacts to visual resources.

Signs approved as part of commercial development shall be incorporated into the design of the project and shall be subject to height and width limitations that ensure that signs are visually compatible with surrounding areas and protect scenic views.

Free‐standing pole or roof signs are prohibited.

Advertising signs and banners are prohibited in public beaches and beach parks.

Prohibit placement of signs other than traffic or public safety signs, which obstruct views to the ocean, beaches, bay or estuary from public viewing areas, and scenic roads.

Develop a uniform public information sign program.
a. Reduce visual clutter associated with signage.
b. Limit the size, design, and location of signage consistent with legibility and legal parameters. c. Relate signs in character, material, size, shape, height, placement and color to the sites and buildings of which they are a part.

Provide curbside visible street numbers or directory maps for all types of structures and be visible at night for the convenience of police, fire, guests and customers.

Build an identity sign at “Old Palm” Avenue to strengthen the sense of place in this commercial corridor and complement economic development objectives.

8.3 Sustainable Coastal Development Design
Sustainable design features cover a wide range of strategies to support more healthy, multi‐modal, energy‐efficient, economically sound and resilient communities. Resilience describes the capacity of communities to adapt to change and continue to function and thrive even when faced with ongoing stressors, such as climate change, and extreme events, such as a major storm. Resilient communities are also able to recover more quickly after disasters. The following policies convey

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐12 Design Element the City’s approach to pursuing design strategies to support resiliency that support its’ environmental, economic and community goals.

Policies
As a part of a future LCP amendment, consider dDevelopment and implementation of modified site planning and building design regulations to build resiliency to sea level rise. a. Develop incentives to encourage the thoughtful development, redevelopment and retrofitting of vulnerable properties.
b. Evaluate options to adjust building envelope regulations to offset potential loss of site area due to sea level rise.
c. Consider requiring increased setbacks as needed to preserve public walkways and sandy beach areas. d. Implement and enforce of up‐to‐date building codes as they offer an effective, incremental approach to increasing safety and resiliency.
e. Consider aesthetics and community character when implementing sea level rise adaptation measures.

Expand Bayfront commercial uses in a manner that supports the City’s conservation, resiliency and economic development goals (see also Land Use Element Sections 2.4 and 2.5).

Encourage and develop building and design techniques that address future flooding events.

Integrate public coastal access, open space, public view corridor enhancements, and pedestrian amenities, in conjunction with new development and redevelopment.

Design projects to encourage the use of transit.
a. Collaborate with transit planners to incorporate transit facilities into the design of public and private projects. This may include: architectural integration of transit into project design; site planning that focuses higher intensities/densities near transit; and the provision of bus shelters/benches, turnouts, schedule signs, and real‐time information.
b. Design safe, convenient accessible sidewalks and connections from transit stops to building entrances.

Create street frontages with architectural and landscape interest that provide visual appeal to the streetscape and enhance the pedestrian experience.
a. Consider design features such as street facing windows and entrances, planting of street trees and front yard landscape, or other means.
b. Minimize the visual impact of parking. Where parking lots are provided in retail and business centers encourage them to be located in the rear of the property, unless the lot may be used to address adaptation strategies.

Design development to respect and enhance the view and safety of the passerby. a. Structures and open space areas should be arranged so that open space qualities of a development are apparent from outside the development.
b. Public rights of way should be designated not only for the safety and enjoyment of the motorist, but also for the pedestrian, jogger and bicyclist.

Design developments with an eye to safety without giving the appearance of a fortress or a sea of concrete or asphalt.
a. Parking lots along Seacoast Drive, Palm Avenue, and Imperial Beach Boulevard shall have internal landscaping to visually break the hard lines of the parking lot. b. Design parking areas to separate vehicles and pedestrians whenever possible and ensure adequate visibility when the two must cross.

Design developments using sustainable or“green” building practices to conserve energy and water, work toward healthful air quality, , and achieve other environmental benefits. a. Incorporate energy‐saving design features such as appropriate building and roof orientations, materials, and architectural features;, reduced glass area where appropriate, adequate insulation, heat efficient

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   D‐13 Design Element spaces and arrangements, solar and wind energy capturing systems and energy efficient utilities and appliances.
b. Use water‐saving systems and encourage best management practices in developments. c. Explore implementation of alternative conservation measures and technology as they become available.

Encourage developments to exceed code requirements to maximize use of sustainable or “green” building techniques and help implement the Climate Action Plan.

Require developments to protect water quality and provide for watershed protection (see also Conservation and Ecotourism Element – Section 4.4 Water Quality).

Reduce heat build‐up in developed areas (the urban heat island effect) through increasing tree and vegetation cover and strategic selection of green and cool roofing and paving materials.. a. Increase tree and vegetation cover to lower surface and air temperatures, reduce stormwater runoff and protect against erosion.
b. Encourage green roofs (a vegetative layer on a rooftop) to lower temperatures   building energy use, and improve stormwater management.
c. Evaluate options to incentivize or require the use of cool roofing materials in new and retrofitted buildings to lower temperatures and building energy use.
d. Encourage the use of cool paving and pervious materials on sidewalks, parking lots, and streets that remain cooler than conventional pavements and reduce stormwater runoff.

General Plan / Local Coastal Program D‐1 Design Element

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   A‐1 List of Abbreviations List of Abbreviations
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
AICUZ Air Installation Compatibility Use Zones
ALUC Airport Land Use Commission
ALUCP Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
ASMLAMSL Above mean sea level
AVs   Autonomous Vehicles
BMPs Best Management Practices
CAA Clean Air Act
CAP Climate Action Plan
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CCC California Coastal Commission
CH4 Methane
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COPPS Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving
CWA County Water Authority
DDW Division of Drinking Water
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ESHA Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area
ESL English as Second Language
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
GED General Education Development
GHG Greenhouse Gas
HMP Hazard Mitigation Plan
IB Imperial Beach
IB SLR Assessment 2016 City of Imperial Beach Seal Level Rise Assessment IP Implementation Plan
ITS Intelligent Transportation Systems
JRMP Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program
LCP Local Coastal Program
LHMP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LID Low Impact Development
LOS Level of Service
MPA Marine Protected Area
MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
MTS Metropolitan Transit System
MWD Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NADEP Naval Aviation Depot
NASNI Naval Air Station North Island
NERRS   National Estuarine Research Reserve System

General Plan / Local Coastal Program   A‐2 List of Abbreviations NOx Nitrogen oxide
NOLF IB Navy Outlaying Landing Field Imperial Beach
O3 Ozone
Pb Lead
PM10 Particulate matter
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
SANDAG San Diego Association of Governments
SB Senate Bill
SCS Sustainable Communities Strategy
SCOUP Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program
SDAB San Diego Air Basin
SDAPCD San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
SDG&E San Diego Gas and Electric
SDUPD San Diego Unified Port District
SEAL Navy Sea, Air, and Land
SLR Sea level rise
SMCA State Marine Conservation Area
SO2 Sulfur dioxide
SR State Route
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TDM Transportation Demand Management
TOT Transient Occupancy Tax
TRNERR Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve U.S. United States
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
VHFHSZ Very High Hazard Fire Hazard Severity Zones
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled

General Plan/ Local Coastal Program  A‐3 List of Abbreviations

Draft
Resilient Imperial Beach
Framework for a Phased Approach to Updating the
Local Coastal Program/General Plan for Coastal Resiliency August 2022
Attachment 2

CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 2 OF 15 Framework Summary & Overview
• A phased approach to sea level rise (SLR) adaptation and coastal resiliency building is well accepted by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and used by many local cities as reflected in recently certified Local Coastal Programs (LCP) including Morro Bay and Half Moon Bay • The approach and format of a phased adaptation plan ranges from simple tables to entire chapters devoted to listing / describing the anticipated future actions, programs and projects that the City will explore as part of a customized local response to SLR • Key issues raised by CCC staff in their comments should be considered for inclusion in an LCP Work Plan for future implementation items as conditions warrant based on locally observed tide gauge measurements of SLR at the La Jolla Tide gauge managed by NOAA • Work Plan programs and projects that the City is currently developing as part of the phased coastal resiliency / SLR adaptation efforts are shown in the LCP Work Plan Tables 1A – 1D and summarized in Table 2.
• Contributing and related efforts that the City is currently participating in with other local, regional state and federal partners to enhance and promote a coordinated approach to coastal resiliency building are shown in LCP Work Plan Table 3. • Grant awards and applications in process are shown in LCP Work Plan Table 4.

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 3 OF 15 Section 1. Background and Introduction
LCP Update for SLR – Issues, Challenges and Opportunities Updating the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP)/General Plan (GP) to reflect changing climatic conditions, including sea level rise (SLR) has been a complex process that is necessarily iterative in nature due to the long-term planning horizon for SLR and SLR-related effects and the dynamic and evolving nature of climate science. For more than a decade, the City has been partnering with local, regional, state and federal government agencies as well as with special districts and non-governmental entities to advance important local goals and priorities while confronting the complex planning challenges faced by local jurisdictions attempting to implement micro-solutions to address a problem that is global in nature. While SLR is a global phenomenon, the rate of rise and the nature of SLR effects vary greatly along the coast. For example, the nearest local tide gauge In La Jolla at the Scripps Pier has shown a linear or consistent rate of SLR of 2.13 cm per year for the last 100 years reflecting no measurable SLR locally at the present time. See:
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=9410230

While there are site-specific and localized impacts, the rates of rise, areas of flooding and/or inundation, and erosion patterns occur on regional scales which transcend jurisdiction boundaries. The scale, complexity, economics, and political sensitivity mean that SLR adaptation is usually difficult for any single city to tackle alone. Therefore, regional approaches can be an effective tool for providing flexibility in how local entities approach coastal resiliency. Tools for managing risks from other natural hazards such as those posed by wildfires, floods, landslides and groundwater management offer models and lessons on the effectiveness of coordinated regional approaches to mitigating other natural hazards. Regional approaches offer many advantages over localized approaches and offer specialized tools and resources for effective hazard mitigation and adaptation and funding opportunities.

Building on the 2016 SLRVA, City staff has developed a path forward for updating the City’s LCP to address sea level rise that includes current guidance outlined by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) in their 2021 Draft SLR Guidance for Critical Infrastructure. The City’s approach is partially modeled on contemporary approaches taken by other cities with respect to preparing and/or updating their LCPs and is designed to be phased in over time in an efficient and effective manner. Importantly, as the science surrounding SLR predictions continues to evolve we will continue to improve our understanding of the complex interplay and mix of variables at play in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) estimates and calculations, climate change and their effects on sea levels.

The City desires to pursue a phased approach to the LCP update process that incorporates multiple phased future updates rather than one single major update. The CCC has indicated its support for incremental phased updates to LCPs that include identifying appropriate baseline policies, long range planning horizon timelines, physical thresholds for policy application, and future update requirements.

This phased approach takes the form of a “Work Plan” to guide implementation of and future amendments to the City’s LCP. The land area encompassing the City of Imperial Beach is fully built out and the City’s shoreline is fully urbanized and developed. The City’s proposed “Work Plan” approach to LCP amendments acknowledges that the City’s primary goal is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the City now and in the future for its residents, visitors and businesses.

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 4 OF 15 Within the Work Plan are various policies, programs and projects that the City can phase in over time as targeted future amendments to the LCP. This phased approach will enable the City to implement policies, programs and projects as incremental steps intended to achieve continued progress in effectively planning to forestall, avoid, mitigate and adapt to future SLR effects in the City. The Work Plan includes measures for both critical public infrastructure as well as private development. The Work Plan is intended to be a living document based on the best available science and current best practices and has been tailored to reflect the unique local conditions, preferences, goals and vision of the City of Imperial Beach.

This phased approach to improving coastal resiliency will be subject to future periodic reviews and updates by the City and is intended to tackle SLR related challenges in a way that does not overwhelm the resources of the City or the resolve of the City leadership to continue to make meaningful progress in addressing and adapting to SLR.

The City’s Work Plan is based in part on approaches incorporated by other cities as part of their LCPs including those of Solana Beach, San Clemente, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay and Santa Cruz. Based on a comprehensive review by Staff, a phased approach to addressing SLR is well accepted and used by many local cities and the approach and format varies widely across jurisdictions.

Significant challenges to effective SLR adaptation remain and include lengthy analyses and planning and permitting processes, inadequate funding, and legal uncertainties, among others, which have slowed, or stalled local government and Coastal Commission efforts to update LCPs for SLR. The City of Imperial Beach is no exception; however, Imperial Beach has already taken several critical first steps to addressing SLR by completing a vulnerability assessment in 2016 and submitting numerous grant applications in 2020-2021 to obtain funding to implement local coastal resiliency related programs and projects as described in Table 4.

The City’s LCP includes various resources, safety, access, hazard and SLR adaptation policies. To make California’s coast resilient to SLR risks and hazards, it is recognized that all cities and counties will need to take local actions to ensure progress towards addressing sea level rise and ensuring local coastal resiliency.

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 5 OF 15 Section 2. Regional & Statewide Coordination on Phasing Coastal Resiliency
Beginning with the 2012, the City participated on the Steering Committee and assisted in the preparation of the SLR Adaptation Strategy for San Diego Bay. For the past decade the City has continued to seek partners to address SLR and enhance regional coastal resiliency. In 2020, the CCIG, CSAC and CCC prepared a Joint Statement intended to provide a foundation for local governments’ collective efforts on sea level rise adaptation planning going forward. The Joint Statement outlined guiding principles, opportunities, challenges, and actions associated with proactive and effective sea level rise adaptation for California’s coastal communities. It focuses specifically on Local Coastal Program (LCP) policy development, adaptation planning, and project decision-making. The Joint Statement was adopted by the Commission in November 2020 and laid the foundation for the December 17, 2020 Local Government Workshop that focused on the next steps regarding how to apply the shared principles.

The City acknowledges the challenges and opportunities associated with the LCP update process, and specifically those associated with planning horizons, local. Local goals, needs and conditions. In the Joint Statement, the Commission and local governments agreed to establish timeframes under which the LCP update will be operable by identifying the appropriate scope and time horizon for future updates. the update.

The Commission and local governments agree that while some degree of statewide consistency is important, all LCP updates should address unique local issues. As a result, the Imperial Beach LCP and Work Plan is not identical to those of other jurisdictions. The City’s LCP update includes baseline hazards policies and concepts, including policies related to sea level rise hazards, use of best available science, and the appropriate siting of new development.

Through the Work Plan, the City has outlined a series of steps and options to efficiently move update work, one phase at a time. Fundamental to this approach is obtaining the necessary funding to support not only future LCP updates but also funding to implement actual programs and projects that will enhance local coastal resiliency in IB such as those efforts described in Tables 1A - 1D and summarized in Table 2.

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 6 OF 15 Section 3. Work Plan Phasing of the Imperial Beach LCP Update Process & Substance
The City’s LCP Work Plan will include phasing of both the LCP update process, the substance of the policies themselves, and the Implementation Plan (IP) measures necessary to carry out the LUP policies.

The Work Plan identifies the time horizon associated with the current update LCP Update (2020 – 2040), as well as the information needed to support the coastal resiliency and adaptation plan for the City.

The City’s LCP includes baseline policies for coastal resiliency and sea level rise planning and set the stage for future LCP updates as described in the LCP Work Plan.

Key issues included in the City’s LCP Work Plan:
• ESHA mapping and buffers and defining allowable uses within buffers • Coastal Resiliency Projects to be funded by various grants (See Table 4) • Shoreline Management Plan
• Continued participation in the City’s and SANDAG Regional Shoreline Monitoring Program established in 1999 (baseline)
• Tide gauge monitoring using Scripps Pier tide gage data as adjusted for IB • Continued exploration of living shoreline / hybrid armoring projects and programs recommended in CCC 2021 Draft SLR Guidance for Critical Infrastructure. • Allowances for shoreline protective devicesper Coastal Act Section 30235 for existing structures • Safety Element updates to convey a clear approach to addressing Collaboration with other agencies to address the impacts of SLR upon the bay and estuary shorelines as sea level rises • Cooperation to ensure Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Updates occur on a regular basis
• Working with regional, state and federal partners to implement appropriate SLR adaptation measures for the San Diego Bay shoreline
• Working with regional, state and federal partners to implement appropriate SLR adaptation measures for the TRNERR shoreline

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 7 OF 15 Section 4. The Current IB 2020-2040 LCP Update & Baseline Policies The City has incorporated foundational sea level rise hazard planning policies in the LCP as contained in the General Plan Safety Element. Future planning decisions, programs, policies and actions pertaining to coastal hazards must be consistent with these policies. set the stage for future successful LCP Amendments / updates. The following foundational policies outline the few basic policies intended to create the foundation on which local sea level rise planning and project development that reflect coastal hazards now and into the future. Future updates to the Imperial Beach LCP as described in the Work Plan would continue to rely on these baseline policies, though they would be modified as needed to reflect changed conditions, SLR predictions/best available science and best practices and lessons learned.

IB LCP Baseline Coastal Hazard and SLR Related Policies Best Available Science (Policy 7.1.1). Requiring the use of best available science is foundational to an effective sea level rise LCP update. The Coastal Act requires new development to minimize hazards and protect coastal resources. In addition, the Coastal Act calls for the use of sound science to guide its decision making and to support public understanding and participation in coastal planning. A policy requiring the use of the best available science guides local decision makers on what science to look to when planning for sea level rise and analyzing hazards and permitting projects in the coastal zone. As a general matter, all communities should embrace the best available science and analyze a range from low to moderate to high projections of sea level rise in their planning for coastal hazards both as a part of vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan development and at the project-scale for individual permits.

The State of California has long supported the preparation and provision of scientific information on climate change and sea level rise to help guide appropriate and resilient planning, permitting, investment, and other decisions. For example, the State’s California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment to advance actionable science that serves the needs of state and local-level decisionmakers. Specific to sea level rise, the State also released the 2017 Rising Seas in California: An Update on Sea-Level Rise Science and the State of California Sea-Level Rise Guidance: 2018 Update (2018 OPC SLR Guidance).

The 2018 OPC SLR Guidance contains a set of projections for 12 tide gauges throughout California, and the Coastal Commission recommends using these projections and related information as best available science on sea level rise in California. The Coastal Commission will re-examine best available science periodically and as needed with the release of new information and the City will incorporate these updates as needed in the future.

Vulnerability Assessment and/or Adaptation Plan development and updates.

To ensure policies are developed consistent with Coastal Act requirements in the local context, The City completed a SLR Vulnerability Assessment (SLRVA) in 2016 to identify potential future hazards in the City and to begin the local adaptation planning process. Completion of this important first step provided the information needed to the City to begin to identify and understand the local hazards and risks that rising seas will have locally. In response, the City has developed policies that are included in

CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 8 OF 15 the LCP to address existing hazards and plan for new development or redevelopment that protects not only existing structures but also coastal resources and public access consistent with the Coastal Act.

The City’s existing SLRVA has enabled the City to begin the process of informing the community of the need for developing a companion coastal resiliency plan to ensure appropriate response to SLR. This LCP Work Plan Appendix in intended to set the stage for future actions to planning and permitting work for shorefront development as well as for other areas at risk from the future effects of potential SLR.

Policies and implementation measures that require shoreline hazard evaluations in connection with new development or redevelopment using best available science will generate the information needed to plan for the next generation of development along the shoreline and throughout the other areas of the City at risk from rising seas. Such future studies will take into consideration the current alignment of existing structures, whether they are currently vulnerable or require protection and whether the standards typically applied to new development assuring anticipated safety for the life of the development can be met. The information contained within the City’s existing SLRVA provides the foundation for the City to develop a local, community-specific coastal resiliency plan/strategy that can be developed and incorporated into future LCP amendments/updates.

The City’s LCP Work Plan includes steps to update the SLRVA periodically based on the best available science, and when new science becomes available that would significantly change their land use planning and permitting decisions (e.g., when sea level rise projections, probabilities are and/or risk tolerances are updated). The Work Plan also includes measures to prepare a local Coastal Resiliency Plan to outline the menu of policies, plans, programs and projects to be implemented by the City to ensure and enhance long term coastal resiliency.

Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan Phased Updates.

By committing to a phased approach to LCP updates for sea level rise, the City is acknowledging that the current LCP update is part of a phased, multi-step update process more fully outlined in the LCP Work Plan. The City’s LCP will be reevaluated and updated at regular future intervals to respond to new information and dynamic sea level rise science and on the ground local and regional conditions.

Selecting an applicable future planned update timeframe will help the City and its residents, visitors and business communities better understand how the policies will play out on the ground in their neighborhoods so an adaptation plan can be developed with community input utilizing information gained from vulnerability assessments and hazard evaluation plans. This will help prepare for future updates and changes to come.

Crafting next round LCP amendments for small increments of time is a new approach so there are few examples available on which to rely. However, there are examples of policy language that can be used to set the necessary steps toward completion of an adaptation plan that meets the requirements of the Coastal Act and also takes into consideration the specific context of a local government’s shoreline, and what needs to be done in identified increments to protect both development and public recreational amenities and use of the public beach.

A key component of establishing baseline policies in the current comprehensive LCP update is committing to these future updates when indicated by local, regional and statewide data, and objective, measurable triggers for those future updates. Or, the City may decide they want to do a

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 9 OF 15 review for a periodic update consistently into the future on a specific timeframe, for example an evaluation every 10 years. The City could also decide they wish to combine a trigger-based update with a time certain update. For example, every 10 years, or once sea level rise hits a certain elevation as measured at the tide gauges being tracked, whichever is sooner.

In any case, updates to the City’s LCP will be important in the sea level rise context because everything associated with the hazard is highly dynamic: the best available science continues to evolve, sea levels continue to change, storm conditions continue to shift patterns and intensity, etc. In addition, local understanding and local goals, preferences and priorities may also shift with time.

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 10 OF 15 Section 5. Advantages to Regional Approaches to SLR Adaptation Planning:

Using a common vision for a region, the future of a coastal region (i.e., littoral cell, SANDAG region or some defined area) can be established. Regional planning encourages discussions between communities, across jurisdictions, and the formation of coordinated visions and planning processes.

Regional discussions allow stakeholders to see beyond local needs and challenges to see the interconnectedness of the coastal communities. Other advantages include:
• Strategic prioritization of protected spaces and infrastructure. • Regional planning allows communities to be more strategic with:
o Protecting areas or resources threatened in the near term o Protecting infrastructure, beaches and resources of unique value o Capitalizing on opportunities when certain funds or mitigation options become available.
• Prioritization is critical for effective use of public funds for building, protecting, or relocating major state and regional infrastructure (AB 67).
• Flexibility for solutions. Allows you to go beyond jurisdictional constraints to identify adaptation and mitigation solutions.
• Flexibility in location and type of protection (including hybrid solutions like living shorelines) and mitigation expands options for developing durable solutions and establishing partnerships, sharing and leveraging resources.
• Collaborative planning can aggregate resources and leverage and attract funding that might not be available for smaller scale projects. [For example, a small city may not have funding to generate SLR model runs for their community but may succeed if collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions to fund a regional-scale assessment.] • Equipment and other resources can be shared/leveraged across a region. • Stimulates creative partnerships.

Challenges to Local and Regional Approaches to Adaptation Some of the challenges to regional planning and adaptation may include the following:
• Logistic challenges of conducting projects across multiple jurisdictions • Differing priorities and needs of communities and landscapes within a region • Inadequate funding for regional SLR planning
• Varying nature of rise and potential effects along the coast • It is difficult enough to have discussions on sea level rise in one community, let alone across and between multiple communities simultaneously.
• Not all regional or communities are suitable for, or will want to take, a regional approach to adaptation planning.
• Potential costs for regional projects (including major infrastructure projects) are large and will likely require federal partnerships

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 11 OF 15 Opportunities for Regional Approaches to Adaptation
The City endorses regional approaches to planning and adaptation. In order implement regional strategies, there are a range of tools, mechanisms and funding that will be required. Some of these exist and will need to be expanded and customized for sea level rise planning (such as joint powers authorities). Some are in pilot phases (such as Caltrans Advance Mitigation program). Some need new sources and models.

The City is committed to continue to develop pilot approaches to using these tools in order to support regional and phased approaches to sea level rise planning, specifically within the context of LCP development and approval.

The City will work with partner agencies including SANDAG to engage in local experiments, and statewide discussions to speed and improve the use of the following tools for planning and adaptation:
• Regional vulnerability assessments with best available science • Regional visions for plans and coastal management
• JPAs and special funding and authority districts
• Advance mitigation banking programs
• Funding sources for regional planning and projects

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 12 OF 15 Section 6. Overview of Selected Phased Approaches used by Others City of Solana Beach: Efforts to obtain a Certified LCP were initiated by Solana Beach in 2000. In 2012, their LUP was certified by the CCC for the first time. The LUP was amended in 2014 to clarify key policies regarding shoreline protection, requirements for a fee study to determine mitigation for seawalls and changes to policies for new development. Work on an internal Draft IP is underway. The City does not have a stand-alone SLR vulnerability study as one was done for the City by the USACE as part of Feasibility Study for a 50-year beach sand replenishment project that will be implemented in late 2023/early 2024. Similarly, there is no formal coastal resiliency plan as the City has already committed to periodic beach sand replenishment for the next 50 years as the key coastal resiliency strategy.

The City has an LCP Work Plan that serves as a guide for follow-up actions on LUP policies that require implementation either in the form of a task (i.e., conduct an ESHA map update every 10 years) or that require a corresponding IP regulation in order to implement an LUP Policy (i.e., providing further specificity/standards). The Work Plan is not an “official” part of the LCP; rather it is used as an internal document by City Staff for budgeting, tracking progress on the LUP items and prioritizing CIP expenditures since the LCP is an official City CIP Project.

City of San Clemente: The City does not yet have a Certified LCP. Its first LUP was certified in 1996 and was comprehensively updated between 2015-2018 via several CCC LCP Planning Grants. A comprehensively updated LUP was certified in 2018. City staff attempted to amend the LUP in 2020 to modify a definition and ultimately withdrew the LUPA prior to the CCC taking action to deny the City’s amendment. The IP is in progress and the document was published for public review in early 2022. A SLRVA was completed and submitted to the CCC as a final grant deliverable at the end of 2019. A Coastal Resiliency Plan was completed in 2021. Although both the SLRVA and Coastal Resiliency Plan were prepared with the assistance of CCC LCP Planning Grants, both are stand-alone documents and not formally part of the City’s LCP and prepared subsequent to the LUP update. The City is now working on a nature-based adaptation project feasibility study which will get underway in late 2022. A link to the San Clemente Final SLRVA and Coastal Resiliency Plan can be found at https://www.sanclemente.org/departments-services/planning-services/long-range-planning/local-coastal-program City of Santa Barbara: The City’s LCP/LUP was certified by the CCC in 2019. The Coastal Hazards section of the LUP references a future Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan which was approved by the Santa Barbara City Council in February 2021. City staff is in the process of developing the LCP Amendment to incorporate the Plan which willrequire Planning Commission and City Council approval.Ultimately, the CCC will receive the Plan and be asked to certify it. This is another example of a City pursuing a phased approach to addressing coastal resiliency / SLR adaptation using a phased or tiered approach. The approach of Santa Barbara is in contrast to the approach taken by San Clemente where the SLRVA was submitted to the CCC to “receive and file” and no action was requested by the City from the CCC on the document though CCC staff did provide comments on the draft SLRVA.

County of Santa Barbara: The County submitted an amendment to their Certified LUP and IP to add policies and provisions related to coastal hazards and SLR as well as to add and amend policies and provisions related to coastal resources, such as ESHA and public access. This item was scheduled to be heard before the CCC on 9/8/21 but the County withdrew the proposed amendments before the hearing as the CCC was going to deny the County’s submittal and impose 20 of their own “suggested modifications.”. The County prepared an SLRVA in 2017 using CCC grant funds. The main issue of

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DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 13 OF 15 disagreement focuses on the CCC interpretation that “existing structures” for purposes of Coastal Act Section 30235 means those that existed as of 1/1/77 the Coastal Act effective date.

City of Morro Bay: The City received approval of a comprehensively updated LUP on 8/12/21 by the CCC. The LUP update effort was initiated in 2015. This update was partially funded via three CCC LCP planning grants. A SLRVA was prepared using grant funds. The City’s LUP was originally approved by the CCC in 1982 and the IP was originally approved in 1984. The document was ultimately approved as submitted and without formal “Suggested modifications” because the City had already agreed to accept and integrate the CCC staff changes to the LUP during the 5+ year iterative process between City and CCC staff. The LUP update includes planned retreat policies and only allows protection if it serves coastal-dependent uses or protects public beaches or development built before January 1, 1977 that has not been redeveloped since that date. The IP still needs to be updated and this will be done as a follow up effort over the next few years. Within the LUP is Chapter 5, “Implementation Strategy” which is an 18-page table that lists implementation actions for LUP goals and policies that create a next steps work plan/outline for the City. See beginning on page 333 of the PDF at this link https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/#/2021/8
City of Half Moon Bay: The City of Half Moon Bay received CCC approval of an updated LUP on April 15, 2021. The City’s LUP was originally approved by the CCC in 1985 and the IP was certified in 1996. The City intends to update its IP now that the LUP is updated. They completed an SLRVA in 2016. Like Morro Bay, the LUP was approved as submitted as all of the negotiations and “suggested modifications” had already been integrated into the LUP prior to the CCC hearing. Of note, Charles Lester, former CCC Executive Director was working for the City as a contractor in charge of the City’s LCP update. Appendix A to the LUP is the “Land Use Plan Implementation” chapter and is available at beginning on page 400 of the PDF https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2021/4/Th9a/Th9a-4-2021-exhibits.pdf. The Appendix outlines both process and substantive actions the City needs to take as part of its LCP work plan.

Smart Coast California: According to Smart Coast California https://www.smartcoastca.org/ a phased approach to an LCP update is an appropriate tiered response to SLR. A tiered response is a planning principle that institutes certain defined policies if/when there are specific thresholds of sea level rise that are observed, measured/quantified and documented as opposed to relying only projections only.

Their website has a list of each City/County LCP and SLR efforts and the current status.

There are multiple options that can be incorporated into a phased or tiered coastal resiliency response LCP policy including, but not limited to, beach nourishment, kelp forests, offshore reefs, groins, submerged breakwaters, community seawalls to protect critical public infrastructure and nature-based solutions such as living shorelines.

These options should be adopted as preferred alternatives to managed retreat in areas that cannot accommodate relocation of existing housing, visitor serving or other public developments and those that prohibit property owners from defending their homes, businesses and related infrastructure.

The concept of a “Tiered Response” (TR) to Sea Level Rise (SLR) is being utilized by cities and counties for adoption into their LCPs. The logic behind a phased approach is that it is prudent to wait and see if the projected SLR should manifest within the time frames postulated. In addition, this approach provides the best opportunities to develop regional initiatives for SLR adaptation and co-benefits. For

CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 14 OF 15 example, if there is a section of the coastline that is predicted to have 3.5 ft. of SLR by 2050, moving forward on unnecessarily aggressive regulatory policies requiring managed retreat could result in significant impacts to communities costing tens of billions of dollars. It makes sense to monitor closely to see how much SLR occurs before moving forward aggressively.

CCC August 2021 Pubic Review Draft SLR Guidance for Critical Infrastructure In addition to coastal communities embracing a phased approach to SLR adaptation, the August 2021 CCC Public Review Draft Critical Infrastructure SLR Planning Guidance document (see page 56) explains and recommends phased adaptation “Phased adaptation – also known as an adaptation pathway approach or trigger-based adaptation – is the use of different adaptation strategies over time as certain sea level rise thresholds are met. For example, adaptation phases can start with protection strategies, such as sand replenishment, or accommodation strategies, such as floodproofing and elevation, and lead to eventual relocation in the longer term as protection and accommodation strategies become infeasible due to increasing hazards, costs, and coastal resource impacts. Therefore, this planning principle of phased adaptation or a tiered response is supported by CCC staff as well. Appendix B of this CCC document contains policies that can be incorporated in the City’s LCP if desired and Appendix F contains a list of Nature Based Adaptation Strategies that can also be considered for local application and inclusion in the City’s LCP SLR Work Plan.

CITY OF IMPERIAL BEACH
DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR LCP WORK PLAN APPENDIX | AUGUST 2022 | PAGE 15 OF 15 Section 7. LCP Work Plan Conclusions and Recommendations Adopting a phased approach to addressing the risks and uncertainties associated with SLR predictions and timelines provides local stakeholders with the opportunity to constructively engage on this issue.

The CCC however is recommending that cities use the H++ extreme SLR scenario for planning purposes and that cities should explicitly note the planning horizon associated with their LCP and at what point in the future the LCP will be updated. However, in 2022 NOAA stopped recommending the use of the H++ scenario in its 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report available here https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/sealevelrise/sealevelrise-tech-report-sections.html In addition, there is a new “State Agency Sea Level Rise Action Plan for California” document out for public review https://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/_media_library/2022/02/Item-7_Exhibit-A_SLRAction-Plan-Final.pdf A critical aspect of phased adaptation to SLR is what policies, projects and programs get implemented should certain SLR thresholds manifest. From the CCC perspective, including that reflected in the August 2021 Draft SLR guidance on critical infrastructure, the H++ scenario should be assumed, and managed retreat should be the default policy with the appurtenant regulations in the works (see SB1 Atkins). SLR will be devastating to many developed communities but so would broad-based managed retreat particularly in urbanized sections of the coastline like Imperial Beach where there is no room in the City for relocating residents displaced by SLR.

The rate of rise and the nature of SLR effects vary greatly along the coast. For example, the nearest local tide gauge In La Jolla at the Scripps Pier has shown a linear or consistent rate of SLR of 2.13 cm per year for the last 100 years reflecting no measurable SLR locally at the present time. See:
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=9410230 Therefore, a phased approach for the Imperial Beach coastline is founded on preferred alternatives to managed retreat to protect the existence and integrity of the community and the built environment and critical infrastructure within the community.

It is also recommended that benefit cost analyses be conducted by experienced professional economists. These actions are incorporated into the LCP Work Plan and include local IP policies and standards that will be phased in to protect the existing community in its current configuration, including, but not limited to: beach nourishment; groin fields, nature-based pilot projects such as hybrid dune systems, nature-based solutions like living shorelines, kelp forests and offshore multipurpose reefs; and community shoreline protection systems. In fact, the 2021 Draft CCC SLR Guidance document notes on page 114 that communities should look at “hybrid armoring” solutions (i.e., living shorelines or nature-based projects) for their shorelines and on page 116 states that “… there is an urgent need for more pilot projects…” The City shares this encouragement and is actively exploring several pilot projects which are described in the Work Plan.

Examples of local coastal resiliency enhancement projects abound. Currently, such projects are being developed by the City of Oceanside (groin field), City of Solana Beach (long term beach nourishment in partnership with local, State and Federal partners), Encinitas (Cardiff living shoreline) and those in San Diego Bay being developed by the San Diego Unified Port District (oyster beds and fabricated eco-crete polygons intended to provide multiple benefits including shoreline stabilization benefits and ecosystem benefits).

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Resilient Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan
Introduction
Imperial Beach’s unique geography, surrounded on three sides by water and positioned as the most southwesterly city in the continental United States, is fundamental to its identity and key to understanding its challenges and opportunities. The City’s most important natural attributes are its beaches and open spaces, which are highly valued by residents and visitors, and contribute to the City’s economy.

Imperial Beach is a community comprised of rich contrasts; it is loved by residents for its small town, classic California character, and is located in the heart of the San Diego/Tijuana metropolitan region. It is known for its quaint, human-scaled waterfront, while also offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay and Mexico. Imperial Beach is home to beautiful sandy beaches and the internationally acclaimed Tijuana River Estuary wetlands, yet is fiscally challenged to provide the matching world class services needed to ensure that the public can continue to enjoy these priceless resources. Roughly half of the City is developed, and half is set aside for open space and military uses. Imperial Beach is a small city measured in acreage and population, yet has a reach beyond its size as it has taken a leadership role in regional open space preservation and in its stance that all levels of government and industry need to be accountable to protect environmental quality.

Imperial Beach functions as the south San Diego County beach destination, with estimates for beach attendance generally exceeding 440,000 visitors per year and generating $2.5 million in revenue per year (2016). 1 Additional
visitors come to enjoy the rich wildlife and natural scenery of the Tijuana River Estuary and the San Diego Bay.

Beach-goers and ecotourists frequenting local hotels, restaurants and other local businesses represent an important part of the City’s current and planned tax and economic base. These same attributes also present the City with growing environmental and economic challenges due to binational water pollution and regionalsea level rise impacts, as well as other factors.

Successfully adapting to the threat of sea level rise requires a strategic and comprehensive approach that is incrementally implemented. Shoreline protection that prioritizes the use of soft and/or living shoreline protection, such as beach nourishment, dune creation/enhancement, wetlands protection, and other similar strategies in conjunction with maintaining and/or optimizing existing protection devices is the preferred path forward. The employment of these strategies should be based upon quantifiable data indicating rising seas, actual events and their impacts, including severity and frequency, and an evaluation of the suitability of various strategies to protect the economy, environment, and community.

An important component in the long-term capacity of Imperial Beach to adapt to sea level rise is a regular reassessment of the amount and rate of change over time as well as physical impacts from flooding, storms, and tidal inundation. This will be influenced by future emissions levels and other global and regional factors. Utilizing the best available science is necessary to more fully understand future risks. In support of SLR monitoring and adaptation, the City is working with the UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) assessing beach nourishment, sediment management, and SLR projections for the City and intends to continue this collaboration as well as identify additional opportunities in the future. 1 Estimates were derived from data presented on pages C-5 – C-6 of the City of Imperial Beach Sea Level Rise Assessment, (Revell, 2016) and have not been updated.

Attachment 3

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Moving forward, the City is faced with challenges and opportunities to preserve and protect important local assets while addressing problems relating to environmental quality, aging infrastructure, sea level rise, and the rising costs of providing municipal services. The binational environmental pollution that Imperial Beach experiences also warrants attention as an environmental justice issue, as the City faces a high pollution burden and has a much higher lower-income population compared to San Diego County. In addition, all census tracts within Imperial Beach are identified as low resource areas using statewide maps scoring opportunities related to economic, environmental, and education categories.2

The 2022 Resilient Imperial Beach (RIB) project includes General Plan/LCP Update and Implementation Plan (IP) amendments designed to leverage the City’s natural assets to achieve a more resilient and sustainable future. The RIB project also included development of a Climate Action Plan which was adopted in 2019. The General Plan component of the project includes a comprehensive policy update to the General Plan Land Use; Mobility; Conservation and Ecotourism; Parks, Recreation, and Coastal Access; Facilities and Services; Safety; and Design elements. One land use amendment was included: the re-designation of Salt Pond 10A from “Urban Reserve” to “Open Space.” The Noise and Housing elements were not included in the update, but the Housing Element was updated separately in 2021.

Throughout the update process the City of Imperial Beach, as well as other jurisdictions in the region and state, have been developing systems-level solutions to address sea level rise adaptation strategies and climate mitigation measures that protect coastal resources; are responsive to the public input gathered through the update process; and are consistent with state General Plan law, the Coastal Act and other legislation. Sea level rise presents additional risks that Imperial Beach, like other coastal California cities, must plan for to reduce future damage, and more readily recover from impacts that may be unavoidable. It takes substantial fiscal resources to provide adequate everyday public health, safety and public access services and amenities to the City’s residents and sizable visitor population. Significant additional resources are needed to address the supplemental expenses related to regional sea level rise impacts, binational pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle miles traveled. These issues of regional, state-wide and international significance require a systems approach to solutions and funding commitments from all levels of government and the private sector.

The 2022 update to the City’s General Plan/Local Coastal Program (GP/LCP) establishes sea level rise resiliency policies and makes substantial progress to further implementation of Imperial Beach’s Mission Statement “To maintain and enhance Imperial Beach as "Classic Southern California;" a beach-oriented community with a safe, small town, family atmosphere, rich in natural and cultural resources.” It also focuses on working toward achieving the environmental and economic stability needed to build resiliency and retain the community character and quality of life valued by residents and visitors. However, the GP/LCP is a living document and there will be additional incremental work needed to more effectively implement the City’s LCP over time.

It is currently envisioned that additional efforts will occur as a part of phased work programs as funding sources and staffing capacity are identified. Issues still in need of refinement and/or implementation are described in the following sections. The LCP update at-hand will serve as the foundation for the phased update process to SLR adaptation anticipated by the City. LCPs that are reevaluated and updated regularly are better able to respond to new information and dynamic sea level rise science and conditions as well as other important or emerging topics.
2 Source: Imperial Beach 6th Cycle Housing Element, Section 2 - Community Profile, and Appendix D - Fair Housing Assessment

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

GP/LCP Work Plan Topics
A. Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) and Biological Resources Imperial Beach can be divided into two general areas: (1) the urbanized area, and (2) the undeveloped area. Little natural vegetation is present in the urbanized area. The existing vegetation consists of landscaping, mainly ornamental trees, some street trees, shrubbery and a variety of ground covers. Most of the landscaping can be found on private property. Landscaping on City streets, school grounds and playgrounds is conspicuously lacking which is most evident along major streets, in the commercial areas and in the beach area. In that the Tijuana River Estuary occupies most of the City's undeveloped land and is still in its natural state, the native vegetation that exists includes significant biological resources
Permanently protected open space and native habitats in the Tijuana River watershed are predominant land uses in the City. Along the City’s southern border is the Tijuana River Valley which contains one of the largest intact coastal wetland systems in Southern California. The lower section of the Tijuana River Watershed encompasses 2,293 acres of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR). The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a network of protected areas established for long-term research, education, and stewardship. Through a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Estuarine Reserves Division and the coastal states, the NERRS plays a critical role in sustaining the nation’s estuaries and coastal communities. The TRNERR includes the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge (managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Border Field State Park (managed by California State Parks). Approximately 928 acres of the TRNERR are located within Imperial Beach city limits.

In 2010, the TRNERR prepared an updated “Comprehensive Management Plan.” The key goal of the Comprehensive Management Plan is “to protect, restore and enhance the viability of key coastal habitats and species and preserve the region’s cultural heritage while encouraging compatible public use, education and research.” In addition, planning is underway for the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program- a large multiphased wetland restoration program involving up to 500 acres of restoration. Its primary objective is to restore valuable habitat processes that have been lost, and to increase the exchange of water in a tidal cycle. This will enhance flushing, improve water quality, and enhance natural processes that deliver sediment from the watershed to the ocean (Revell, 2016). The City recognizes and supports the importance of the TRNERR for its ecological and open space values.

The Coastal Act requires protection of Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA). Environmentally sensitive areas are defined in Section 30107.5 of the Coastal Act and commonly referred to as ESHA in practice. Three main elements must be met for an area or habitat to be considered ESHA:
1) A geographic area can be designated ESHA either because of the presence of individual species of rare plants or animals or because of the presence of a particular rare habitat, 2) An area is especially valuable due to its special nature or role in an ecosystem, and 3) An area that could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and developments. 2022 Update
The City’s mapped Open Space Land Use Designation include “Area of Potential ESHA.” These “Area of Potential ESHA” lands include biological resources that have not been formally mapped, quantified, or verified as “ESHA” by the City at this time. Natural areas within the City cannot be definitively identified as ESHA without further detailed and site-specific study. However, these formally designated open space areas are already federally- and

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

state-protected in perpetuity, thus, there is no risk that the existing habitat could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and/or developments as it is already fully protected on all sides and the existing surrounding roadways and development define the boundaries and serve to buffer the natural areas from further encroachment, disturbance or degradation.

Consistent with Coastal Act Section 30240, the GP/LCP includes policies intended to avoid any significant disruption of habitat values. The LCP further requires that development adjacent to an Area of Potential ESHA be sited and designed to prevent effects that would significantly degrade ESHA and to ensure continued compatibility with the natural areas. The General Plan/LCP also includes policies calling for the protection of areas adjacent to Area of Potential ESHA lands through the provision of buffers where there is the potential for a new impact on these areas. The City’s determination of whether a setback/buffer is needed to avoid a direct adverse impact to natural habitats mapped within the Open Space areas, and/or the appropriate minimum setback/buffer width if warranted, should include analysis of environmental, economic and community impacts and must demonstrate a clear benefit to the natural habitat.

Table 1.A - ESHA and Biological Resources Work Plan
Item # Topic/LCP
Policy
Phased Implementation Work Plan Status/Timing

1. ESHA
Policy 4.3.6
Formally map and quantify the
ESHA through site-specific studies.

Once mapped, design buffers to
neighboring sensitive habitat areas
to prevent effects that would
significantly degrade ESHA and to
ensure continued compatibility
with the natural areas.

This would include significant
public outreach.

The City has applied for a National Coastal
Resilience Fund (NCRF) Grant which
would fund the effort to conduct surveys
of the shoreline, bayfront, and estuary;
and research, downloading and compiling
existing data from the City, stakeholder
agencies and other public sources. See
Table 4 for additional details.

2. Biological
Resources

4.3.1 4.3.2

4.3.4 4.3.5

7.1.4 Convey a clear approach to
addressing the biological impacts
upon the bay and estuary
shorelines as sea level rises,
consistent with the Coastal Act call
for resources to be "maintained,
enhanced, and where feasible,
restored" (Section 30230; marine
resources) or "protected against
any significant disruption of
habitat values" (Section 30240;
ESHA).

Continue to collaborate with TRNERR
staff. The TRNERR Comprehensive
Management Plan addresses the long
term protection of biological resources.

B. Sea Level Rise (SLR) Assessments
The City of Imperial Beach is a low-lying coastal community in San Diego’s South Bay area and is bounded by three existing bodies of water with the San Diego Bay and Otay River to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Tijuana Estuary to the South. With its unique location, the City currently experiences tidal inundation and flooding during king tide events that are anticipated to be exacerbated by sea level rise. The City of Imperial Beach is home to approximately 26,137 people with 18.9% of residents living below the poverty level (U.S. Census, 2019) and an

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

unemployment rate of 8.2% (SANDAG, Employment Analysis, 2021), both of which are above the national average.

Additionally, 51.1% of the population are Hispanic or Latino persons (U.S. Census, 2019). As stated above, all census tracts in the city have been identified low resource areas based on statewide opportunity maps.

In 2016, the City of Imperial Beach completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (SLRVA) which identified the impacts that the City currently experiences related to hazards such as storm waves and tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and high groundwater during high tides and storm events will be further exacerbated in the future due to sea level rise. According to the study, increased impacts are projected to start occurring in 2047 with a 1.6 foot increase in sea levels should the City, or others, not implement sea level rise adaptation strategies.

The SLRVA represented an initial step in the local adaptation planning process by providing the information the City needed to begin to identify and understand the local hazards and risks that rising seas will have locally. As a next step, the City developed policies that are included in the 2022 LCP Update to address existing hazards and plan for new development or redevelopment that protects not only existing structures but also coastal resources and public access consistent with the Coastal Act. The City also supports continued monitoring of local tide gauges which will provide quantified indicators of rising seas. Consistent monitoring of sea level rise and related impacts such as changes in sand volume, beach width and severity and frequency of damage to property and structures are necessary to evaluate the adequacy of existing and potential future adaptation strategies and the timing for implementation of additional adaptation strategies.

The City understands the limitations of the 2016 SLRVA, and has begun the process of informing the community of the need for additional studies and adaptation strategies. For example, NOAA released data in 2022 that contains updated SLR projections that are tied to each of their tide gauges. Notably, the H++ scenario is no longer referenced. In addition, California has begun preparing the 5th Climate Change Assessment and a full understanding of the interplay of GHG emissions and SLR levels is still being evaluated. Given the dynamic nature of climate science and related SLR projections, the City will continue to monitor all related developments. It is currently envisioned that additional studies would be conducted incrementally as grant funding is secured, as well as through shoreline hazard evaluations required as a part of coastal development plans. Such future studies will take into consideration the current alignment of existing structures, whether they are currently vulnerable or require protection and whether the standards typically applied to new development assuring anticipated safety for the life of the development can be feasibly met.

As of spring 2022, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) recognizes the State of California Sea-Level Rise (SLR) Guidance released in March 2018 by the Ocean Protection Council (OPC Guidance), as the “best available science” on sea level rise along the coast of California. The OPC Guidance uses a probabilistic approach to generate a range of sea level rise projections at a given time horizon. However, the rate of rise and the nature of SLR effects vary greatly along the coast. For example, the nearest local tide gauge In La Jolla at the Scripps Pier has shown a linear or consistent rate of SLR of 2.13 cm per year for the last 100 years. See:
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=9410230.

The 2018 OPC Guidance also lays out a risk decision framework around which projections to use. The 2018 OPC Guidance provides projections for low, medium-high and critical risk aversion applications but these three categories alone may not reflect the entire range of probabilistic projections which continue to be highly dynamic both in magnitude and probability of occurrence.

The uncertainties in the model projections, combined with our growing understanding of the complex interrelationships and feedback loops associated with global climate change, underscore the vital importance of closely monitoring local and regional sea levels, tracking local shoreline conditions, and developing a feasible and flexible plan of action to ensure that the City of Imperial Beach remains resilient to sea level rise. As a part of the City’s

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

phased Work Plan, the City will consult the best available state, regional and local data and decision frameworks available at the time that adaptation decisions are being made, to develop a coastal resiliency plan that ensures an appropriate local response to sea level rise.
2022 LCP/GP Update
The 2022 update (Sections 7.1 and 8.3) includes the following:
o Using best available science to conduct regular reassessment of the amount and rate of change over time as well as physical impacts from flooding, storms, and tidal inundation o Commitment to update the City’s Sea Level Rise Assessment every 10-15 years consistent with the best available and recognized climate change science as determined by the City o Collaborate with regional partners to establish a comprehensive beach and shoreline management plan to support adaptation of beach and shoreline areas along the coast, the San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Reserve Estuary
o Monitor beach profiles, shoreline conditions, and sea level rise impacts o Incorporate resiliency for infrastructure/Capital Improvement Program projects o Continue to pursue funding opportunities to promote the identification, planning, and implementation of adaptation measures that protect and promote the shoreline and/or coastal access.

Table 1.B - Sea Level Rise (SLR) Assessments Work Plan
Item
#
Topic / LCP
Policy
Phased Adaptation /
Implementation Work Plan
Status/Timing

3. SLR
Assessments
Policy 7.1.1
Update SLR Vulnerability
Assessment consistent with the
best available and recognized
climate change science and/or
measurable changes to SLR data at
Scripps Pier Tide Gauge, the NOAA
tide gauge in the San Diego Bay,
and the data logger station at the
Oneonta Slough (Estuary).

Approximately 10-15 years from LCP
certification by the Coastal Commission.

4. Hazards
Assessments
Policies

7.4.3 -7.4.5
Conduct hazard assessments for
critical public infrastructure and
facilities of concern including
stormwater flood-prone areas.

Assess:
• Coastal flooding from a 100-
year wave event
• Coastal erosion
• Tidal inundation
• Nuisance stormwater
flooding
• Seismic vulnerability due to
groundwater and soil
saturation
To be prepared as a part of the next
County of San Diego Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) update
and incorporated by reference into the
General Plan/LCP (anticipated to occur in
2023).

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Item
#
Topic / LCP
Policy
Phased Adaptation /
Implementation Work Plan
Status/Timing

5. Monitoring
Policies

7.1.3 -7.1.4)
Utilize existing SANDAG Regional
Shoreline Monitoring Program
transects established in 1999 using
20+ years of baseline data for
purposes of monitoring shoreline
changes caused by SLR.

Utilize the data collection from the
Tijuana National Estuarine
Research Reserve to monitor the
water levels within the Estuary.

Utilize the data collection from the
NOAA tide gauge located in the
San Diego Bay to monitor the
water levels within the San Diego
Bay.

Refinements to the existing shoreline
monitoring plan would be developed as a
part of the Imperial Beach Community
Resilience Plan proposed in the NCRF
grant application. See Table 4.

C. Adaptation Measures to Promote Long-Term Coastal Resiliency Adaptation to climate change involves a range of small and large adjustments to natural and/or human systems that occur in response to already experienced or anticipated climate change impacts. Adaptation planning involves a wide range of policy, programmatic, and project-level measures that can be implemented in advance of, or reactively to the potential impacts depending on the degree of preparedness and risk tolerance. Good adaptation planning should enhance community resilience to human-caused hazards and natural disasters.

Managing development to respond to coastal hazards is a key component of a local coastal program. Coastal Act policies direct new development to reduce risks to life and property and avoid substantial changes to natural landforms. Effective adaptation and reduction of risks will require maintaining and enhancing natural infrastructure, such as beaches, dune systems and wetlands, and improving the resiliency of manmade infrastructure. Implementation to address the near- and long-term hazard risks from sea level rise will require substantial funding and collaboration and a solid understanding of the City’s specific risks, the timeframe of impacts, and the physical processes responsible for causing the risk, now and in the future. 2022 LCP Update
Safety Element Section 7.1 of the General Plan/LCP covers Sea Level Rise Monitoring, Planning, and Adaptation.

Effective adaptation and reduction of risks will require maintaining and enhancing natural infrastructure, such as beaches and wetlands, and improving the resiliency of manmade infrastructure. Implementation to address the near- and long-term hazard risks from sea level rise will require substantial funding and collaboration. The element includes new discussion text on sea level rise assessment and adaptation strategies, stating that the timing of adaptation strategies will need to respond to regular reassessments. Rather than set a hard timeframe for adaptation strategies, it is important to base the need for action on quantifiable data obtained from local and regional monitoring. Consistent monitoring of sea level rise and related impacts such as changes in sand volume, beach width and severity and frequency of damage to property and structures are necessary to evaluate the adequacy of existing and potential future adaptation strategies and the timing for implementation of additional adaptation strategies.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

The use of shoreline protection devices, beach nourishment, continued adaptation of public infrastructure, living shorelines and additional strategies are anticipated to be used throughout the lifetime of the 2022 General Plan/Local Coastal Program Update (i.e., planning horizon is 2020-2040) and beyond. The development of new adaptation measures and new strategies based on local need and regional systems will also need to be implemented.

The 2022 LCP IP Update also includes a Sea Level Rise Area Adaptation Strategy Checklist as a tool to help monitor sea level rise and determine case-by-case strategies to improve resiliency. This checklist is intended to provide a systematic means for evaluation of strategies and triggers to guide planning and implementation of resiliency measures. Recognizing that SLR may have different impacts on different areas of the City, this checklist provides a framework for the collection and evaluation of monitoring data that can be used to maintain up-to-date information on vulnerabilities for the Pacific coastline, estuary, bayfront, and interior. The evaluation steps outlined by the checklist will be performed on a periodic basis as deemed necessary by the City for each of the areas to gauge the necessity and feasibility of establishing various adaptation strategies. A range of alternatives and planning timeframes will be considered. Planning timeframes will vary by strategy and are shorter for such strategies as beach nourishment, while longer term strategies such as adapting existing infrastructure/property require more time to plan and secure funding. The Checklist includes monitoring, existing strategies, observed impacts, frequency, effectiveness, alternatives, funding opportunities, feasibility, and thresholds describing when new adaptation strategies are necessary.

The 2022 update includes additional policies as follows:

Shoreline Management (Section 7.1) and Disaster Preparedness (Section 7.4):
o Collaborate with regional partners to establish a comprehensive beach and shoreline management plan o Continue to allow shoreline protective devices that do not result in feasibly avoidable negative community impacts and are necessary to protect structures from identified coastal hazards and to protect public beach accessways
o Encourage designs that reduce SLR risk
o Conduct monitoring to inform adaptation measures, as well as the beach and shoreline management plan o Coordinate with other agencies to develop adaptation strategies o State that managed retreat not viable or necessary or appropriate in the foreseeable future and the City does not intend to pursue it as IB is a fully urbanized and built out community and promoting managed retreat would result in a loss of housing and the State has a “no net loss” of housing law o Continue to seek public input to inform strategies, response plans, evacuation routes, and prioritization of public improvements related to disaster preparedness and resiliency o Coordinate across City and County departments and seek to align the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan with the LCP
Water Quality Protection (Section 4.4):
o Expand discussion of impacts of beach closures/polluted water o Link water quality to public health, visitor economy, and quality of life

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

o Continue to collaborate on bi-national solutions to control Tijuana River pollution and improve conditions, while pressing for infrastructure improvements on both sides of the border o Further water conservation and prevention of water quality degradation o Protect ecosystems
Climate Change (Section 4.1):
o Provides climate policies for sustainable development, greenhouse gas emissions, urban heat island, urban forest, water supply, climate change adaptation, sea level rise resiliency, wildfire risk, hazard mitigation o Provides policy support for a Climate Action Plan which was prepared and adopted o Cites findings of the climate vulnerability assessment (CVA) prepared as a part of California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment - San Diego Region Report, which identifies climate change impacts related to sea level rise (SLR), increasingly warmer average temperatures, more frequent and likely more intense heat waves, more intense droughts, occasionally increased heavy rainfall events and floods, continuing Santa Ana winds and wildfire threats among others.

Table 1.C - SLR Adaptation & Coastal Resiliency Work Plan Item
#
Topic/LCP
Policy
Phased Implementation Work Plan Status/Timing

6. Water
Quality/Critical
Water
Infrastructure
Section 4.4
Policies
Policy 7.3.3
Build resilient water infrastructure.
• Address flooding and encourage
nature-based solutions to address
impacts
• Consider environmental justice and
habitat impacts related to storm water
runoff
• Prioritize restoration of low-lying floodprone areas and natural drainageways. • Prioritize native plants and naturebased, “soft” stabilization and hybrid strategies over methods that rely on
concrete channelization or other
“hard” infrastructure stabilization
methods.

Work is underway on an SDSUled project located in Imperial Beach entitled "Collaborative
Research: Sustainable Water
Infrastructure for Adapting to
Coastal Climate Change." The
focus is on how groundwater
shoaling will impact
stormwater infrastructure.
(see Table 3)

7. Coastal
Resiliency
Policy 4.1.4
Policy 4.1.5
Policy 7.1.4
Identify specific coastal adaptation
strategies and measures. The strategies
will be dependent on the ongoing
monitoring, most recent best available
science, funding, and community input.
• Review lessons learned from local and
regional sea level rise adaptation
projects, and work with other agencies
such as UCSD/Scripps and SDSU to
develop appropriate strategies.

The City was awarded an NFWF
Grant (See Table 4) to help
determine the feasibility of
adaptation pathways to build
resilience in a manner that is
specific to the Imperial Beach
Community.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Item
#
Topic/LCP
Policy
Phased Implementation Work Plan Status/Timing
• Conduct additional data analysis and
collection to establish the baseline
conditions within the City.
• Conduct additional data analysis and
collection to identify shoreline
adaptation strategies that incorporate
natural infrastructure such as coastal
dunes, living shoreline or other naturebased solutions.

8. Adaptation
Measures
Section 7.1
policies
Policy 4.1.4
Develop and implement site specific
adaptation measures when warranted
based on use of the Sea Level Rise
Checklist
Benefits from data gathering
and analysis tasks described in
Items #6, 7, 9, 10, and 11.

9. Shoreline
Management
Plan
Shoreline
Protective
Devices
Section 7.1
policies
Policy 2.5.18
Develop a Shoreline Management Plan to:
• Address appropriate use of shoreline
protective devices and natural assets.
• Establish Best Management Practices
for beach nourishment
• Establish requirements for sitespecific geo-technical investigations • Explore living shoreline / hybrid
facility approaches recommended in
2021 Draft CCC SLR Guidance for
Critical Infrastructure
• Conduct cost/benefit analysis of
adaptation measures
• Identify the anticipated economic
lifetime of certain types of
development (i.e., 75 years).
• Ensure that the most vulnerable
segments of the community are not
disproportionally impacted by the
hazards
• Incorporate guidance from the
Coastal Commission SLR Guidance for
Critical Infrastructure report,
including Appendix B, #27 on Hard
Shoreline Protective Devices and
Long-Term Planning.

Continued collaboration with
SANDAG, the US Navy, the
Port of San Diego and
Coronado on regional efforts
described in Table 3.

10. Sustainable
Development/
Ecotourism/
Conduct an economic/financial analysis to
determine the feasibility of adaptation
approaches to flooding, sea level rise, and
The City applied for a grant in
2021 for this purpose that was

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Item
#
Topic/LCP
Policy
Phased Implementation Work Plan Status/Timing
Climate Change
Policy 2.1.2
Policy 2.1.6

4.1.4 extreme heat to build economic resilience
for the City.
unsuccessful. City will continue
to pursue funding sources.

11. Technical
Design
Guidance

7.1.14 Develop coastal shoreline protection
design recommendations based on best
available science and local context, for the
design and construction of new and
replacement seawalls and revetments
and/or other structure types, detailed
thresholds, minimum beach width,
replenishment activities, and mitigation
and adaptation measures.

The technical guidance would
be completed as a part of the
Shoreline Management Plan.

12. Pilot Projects
IP
Policy 7.1.2
Prepare site specific studies and action
plans for vulnerable areas.
• Pursue funding to protect sensitive
habitat areas and reduce
vulnerabilities of the Seaside Point
Neighborhood. Seaside Point is a
disadvantaged neighborhood in the
southwestern portion of the City of
Imperial Beach, situated directly east
of the Tijuana River Estuary.
• Evaluate completed projects and use
the data to inform future projects and
LCP amendments.

The City applied for a grant in
2021 for this purpose that was
not successful. The City will
continue to seek funding for a
project to identify
opportunities for integrating
runoff storage and infiltration
enhancements within existing
green spaces to create multibenefit features that preserve existing uses while reducing the
risk of flooding.

D. LCP Implementation Plan Expansion
The City’s Implementation Plan (IP) is a part of its Local Coastal Program (i.e., The LCP consists of the LUP/GP and the IP). The IP ensures that the policy objectives of the LCP Land Use Plan are met. In Imperial Beach, 87 percent of the City is in the Coastal Zone. Accordingly, the City has chosen to use its entire General Plan as its LUP, and its complete Zoning Ordinance as the IP. The City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance help shape and guide public projects and policy decisions that serve to implement the Coastal Act, as well as other City goals.

The Zoning Ordinance is a part of the Municipal Code (Chapter 19.06). Its purpose is to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, peace, comfort, convenience and general welfare. It is intended to implement the City’s General Plan and LCP Land Use Plan. The Zoning Ordinance consists of a Land Use/Zoning Map, designated zones; regulations controlling the uses of land, the density of population, the uses and locations of structures, the height and bulk of structure, the open space about structures, the appearance of certain uses and structures, the area and dimensions of sites, the location and size of signs, requirements for off-street parking; and other regulations.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

The IP/Zoning Ordinance is implemented primarily through the Coastal Development Permit process. Under its certified LCP, the City of Imperial Beach has the authority to issue most of the CDPs within its jurisdiction. A CDP is required for any project involving development or repair and maintenance activity in areas designated as within the City’s coastal boundary, except for projects determined to be exempt pursuant to Section 19.87.040 of the Imperial Beach Municipal Code. The City has posted information on its website to inform applicants of the basic submittal requirements needed to allow staff to accurately analyze and process a CDP application. A CDP may be granted administratively (staff review only) or may require a discretionary review with a public hearing before the City Council for approval.
2022 LCP Update
The RIB project included minor amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, which continues to serve as the LCP/IP. In addition, a Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan User’s Guide was prepared that provides information on how the Zoning Ordinance is implemented through the Coastal Development Permit process, as well as other permit processes, to provide a greater context of how development is regulated within Imperial Beach. The RIB project emphasized that effective implementation of the General Plan also requires ongoing collaboration with all levels of government, the private sector and other non-governmental organizations. Close communication and continued progress toward meeting mutually beneficial goals is essential, as has been demonstrated through a partnership with the San Diego Unified Port District, who has jurisdiction over the Pacific Ocean shoreline along Imperial Beach, the Imperial Beach Pier, and the state-granted Pacific Ocean Tidelands and submerged lands; and with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, which preserves, protects and manages the Tijuana River Estuary including land within the City of Imperial Beach.

Implementation Plan (IP) Work Plan
Evaluate the following topics shown in Table 1.D below to include as additional IP measures or guidance documents, to build upon the 2022 LCP IP measures.

Table 1D - Implementation Plan Expansion Work Plan
Item # Topic/LCP
Policy
Phased Implementation Work Plan Status/Timing

13. Code
Amendments/
Detailed IP
Sustainable
Coastal Design
Policy 8.3.1
Adopt code amendments or
design guidelines such as
increased elevation and flood
proofing
Progress will be based on City staff
availability and completion of required
technical studies

14. Detailed IP Add new definitions to the
Municipal Code as needed
Progress will be based on City staff
availability and completion of required
technical studies

15. Flood Maps Incorporate updated Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRM) as available as a part
of Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan updates. Amend
related building and zoning codes
as needed to protect public safety
as needed.

The MJHMP should be updated by 2023.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Table 2 – Summary of Work Plan Measures
Item # Phased Implementation Work Plan

1. ESHA. Formally map and quantify the ESHA through site-specific studies. Once mapped, design buffers to neighboring sensitive habitat areas to prevent effects that would significantly degrade ESHA and to ensure continued compatibility with the natural areas. This would include significant public outreach.

2. Biological Resources. Convey a clear approach to addressing the biological impacts upon the bay and estuary shorelines as sea level rises, consistent with the Coastal Act call for resources to be "maintained, enhanced, and where feasible, restored" (Section 30230; marine resources) or "protected against any significant disruption of habitat values" (Section 30240; ESHA).

3. SLR Assessments. Update SLR Vulnerability Assessment consistent with the best available and recognized climate change science and/or measurable changes to SLR data at Scripps Pier Tide Gauge, the NOAA tide gauge in the San Diego Bay, and the data logger station at the Oneonta Slough (Estuary).

4. Hazards Assessments. Conduct hazard assessments for critical public infrastructure and facilities of concern including stormwater flood-prone areas. Assess:
• Coastal flooding from a 100-year wave event
• Coastal erosion
• Tidal inundation
• Nuisance stormwater flooding
• Seismic vulnerability due to groundwater and soil saturation

5. Monitoring. Utilize existing SANDAG Regional Shoreline Monitoring Program transects established in 1999 using 20+ years of baseline data for purposes of monitoring shoreline changes caused by SLR. Utilize the data collection from the Tijuana National Estuarine Research Reserve to monitor the water levels within the Estuary. Utilize the data collection from the NOAA tide gauge located in the San Diego Bay to monitor the water levels within the San Diego Bay.

6. Water Quality. Build resilient water infrastructure
• Address flooding and encourage nature-based solutions to address impacts • Consider environmental justice and habitat impacts related to storm water runoff • Prioritize restoration of low-lying flood-prone areas and natural drainageways. • Prioritize native plants and nature-based, “soft” stabilization and hybrid strategies over methods that rely on concrete channelization or other “hard” infrastructure stabilization methods

7. Coastal Resiliency. Identify specific coastal adaptation strategies and measures. The strategies will be dependent on the ongoing monitoring, most recent best available science, funding, and community input including:
• Review lessons learned from local and regional sea level rise adaptation projects, and work with other agencies such as UCSD/Scripps and, SDSU to develop appropriate strategies
• Conduct additional data analysis and collection to establish the baseline conditions within the City
• Conduct additional data analysis and collection to identify shoreline adaptation strategies that incorporate natural infrastructure such as coastal dunes, living shoreline or other nature-based solutions

8. Adaptation Measures. Develop and implement site specific adaptation measures when warranted based on use of the Sea Level Rise Checklist.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Item # Phased Implementation Work Plan

9. Shoreline Management Plan. Develop a Shoreline Management Plan to:
• Address appropriate use of shoreline protective devices and natural assets. • Establish Best Management Practices for beach nourishment • Establish requirements for site-specific geo-technical investigations • Explore living shoreline / hybrid facility approaches recommended in 2021 Draft CCC SLR Guidance for Critical Infrastructure
• Conduct cost/benefit analysis of adaptation measures
• Identify the anticipated economic lifetime of certain types of development • Ensure that the most vulnerable segments of the community are not disproportionally impacted by the hazard
• Incorporate guidance from the Coastal Commission SLR Guidance for Critical Infrastructure report, including Appendix B, #27 on Hard Shoreline Protective Devices and Long-Term Planning

10. Sustainable Development. Conduct an economic/financial analysis to determine the feasibility of adaptation approaches to flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat to build economic resilience for the City.

11. Technical Design. Develop coastal shoreline protection design recommendations based on best available science and local context, for the design and construction of: new and replacement seawalls and revetments and/or other structure types, detailed thresholds, minimum beach width, replenishment activities, and mitigation and adaptation measures.

12. Pilot Projects. Prepare site specific studies and action plans for vulnerable areas • Pursue funding to protect sensitive habitat areas and reduce vulnerabilities of the Seaside Point Neighborhood. Seaside Point is a disadvantaged neighborhood in the southwestern portion of the City of Imperial Beach, situated directly east of the Tijuana River Estuary.
• Evaluate completed projects and use the data to inform future projects and LCP amendments.

13. Code Amendments. Adopt code amendments or design guidelines such as increased elevation and flood proofing

14. Definitions. Add new definitions to the Municipal Code as needed

15. Flood Maps. Incorporate updated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as available as a part of Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan updates. Amend related building and zoning codes as needed to protect public safety as needed.

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Contributing & Related Efforts
Table 3 – Regional Collaboration
Regional Collaboration
Entity Purpose/Objective Timeframe
Local Government
Working Group
comprised of
California State
Association of
Counties (CSAC),
the League of
California Cities,
Coastal Cities
Group (CCG) and a
California Coastal
Commission (CCC)
subcommittee
Provided a Joint Statement to serve as a foundation for local governments’ collective efforts on phased adaptation to sea level rise planning going forward. The Joint Statement outlined guiding principles, opportunities, challenges, and actions associated with proactive and effective phased sea level rise adaptation for California’s coastal communities. It focuses specifically on Local Coastal Program (LCP) policy
development, adaptation planning, and project decisionmaking.

Developed framework materials to implement the Joint
Statement including:
1) A framework for a phased approach to LCP updates for sea level rise
2) A call for regional approaches to resiliency and
adaptation
3) An elevation and concurrence process to support
efficient LCP updates
4) A “quick links” reference document including
resources for SLR planning and LCP updates.

The Framework identifies baseline policies for a successful first round LCP update to address sea level rise acknowledging that phased, future LCP amendments will follow.

Joint Statement
adopted by the
Commission in
November 2020
and laid the
foundation for
development of
next steps
regarding how to
apply the shared
principles.

Framework
materials to
implement the
Joint Statement
were accepted at
Coastal
Commission
meeting of
December 3,
2021.

Caltrans District
11 Caltrans prepared a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment to describe climate change vulnerabilities to District 11’s portion of the State Highway System. It illustrates the types of climate stressors that may affect how highways are planned, designed, built, operated, and maintained. It identifies potential strategies to address the identified vulnerabilities.

Prepared in 2019.

Future work is
anticipated to
identify costs and
projects to be
implemented.

City of Coronado The City of Coronado is undertaking a planning process to understand the potential effects of sea level rise and to explore possible mitigation strategies. The sea level rise planning process began by preparing a Vulnerability
Assessment, followed by an Adaptation Plan. The Draft
The Draft
Vulnerability
Assessment was
out for public
review in

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Regional Collaboration
Entity Purpose/Objective Timeframe
Vulnerability Assessment identifies areas in Coronado that are subject to projected sea level rise, rising tides, storm surge, coastal flooding and erosion through 2100. The Draft SLR Adaptation Plan provides a variety of possible strategies and approaches that the City and public and private property owners can use to plan for and address impacts identified by the Vulnerability Assessment.
summer 2021.

The Draft
Adaptation Plan
was released in
spring 2022.

Public hearings
are scheduled for
summer 2022.

Port of San Diego -
Planning
Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Coastal Resiliency Report developed an adaptive management planning
framework to assess risk and appropriately plan for projected SLR. The adaptive management approach allows the Port
District to plan and implement adaptation strategies in the near-term while remaining flexible enough to adjust future strategies in the face of uncertain conditions. Used to inform preparation of the Draft Port Master Plan Update (PMPU) in process.

The Vulnerability Assessment completed in June 2019.

The PMPU Draft
Program EIR and
PMPU was
released for
public review in
November 2021.

California Coastal
Commission
Certification is
anticipated in
2023.

Port of San Diego
– Pilot Projects
The Port of San Diego, in partnership with the California State Coastal Conservancy and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has begun installation of the South Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project adjacent to the Chula Vista Wildlife Refuge.

This project has been years in the making and is the latest of several Port projects to protect the shoreline from impacts related to rising sea levels and to increase the biodiversity of San Diego Bay by creating new marine habitats including new coastal habitat and shoreline protection.

The Port of San Diego and ECOncrete®, an eco-engineering company, have launched a three-year pilot project on Harbor Island to demonstrate an innovative new design of
ECOncrete’s award-winning interlocking COASTALOCK Tide
Pool Armor.

December 2021.

Funded via grants
from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife
Service and
Builders
Initiative.

San Diego
Regional Climate
Collaborative
Regional Economic Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise in San Diego County, 2018. A component of the Resilient Coastlines Project, the Regional Economic Vulnerability study
investigated the potential effects from climate change, Completed in
2018

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Regional Collaboration
Entity Purpose/Objective Timeframe
projected sea level rise, and coastal storms on the economy of San Diego County. Some findings were identified for individual cities. For Imperial Beach, it was noted that the city showed relatively high vulnerabilities to flooding in the 1 meter and 2- meter sea level rise scenarios. Varying impacts to the City’s annual sales, employment and GDP were estimated.

SANDAG San Diego Forward, the 2021 Regional Plan, provides a longterm plan for the San Diego region that seeks to meet regulatory requirements, address traffic congestion, and create equal access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other community resources. The plan reimagines the San Diego
region with a transformative transportation system, a
sustainable pattern of growth and development, and
innovative demand and management strategies. The shift is critical to creating a more sustainable way of life and helping the region reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Adopted
December 10,
2021
SANDAG The Shoreline Preservation Working Group advises SANDAG on issues related to the adopted Shoreline Preservation Strategy and opportunities for beach replenishment including a Regional Beach Sand Project III which is in the early planning stages. Committee members include elected officials from the coastal cities and representatives from community groups, property owners, environmental groups, state and federal agencies, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Ongoing, the
Working Group
meets quarterly
and has been
reorganized to
become a “Task
Force” beginning
in Fall 2022.

SANDAG In 2018, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) was awarded Senate Bill (SB) 1 funding via Caltrans to
complete the Regional Adaptation Needs Assessment (NA), with partners including the San Diego Regional Climate
Collaborative, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, and The San Diego Foundation. The NA looks beyond climate impacts and vulnerabilities and provides an overview of other challenges that jurisdictions face in advancing their adaptation planning efforts. It identifies cross-sector needs and future opportunities for collaboration for the San Diego region. In 2019, SANDAG was awarded an additional SB 1
grant, the Holistic Implementation of Adaptation and
Transportation Resilience Strategies project, to leverage the 2018 and 2019
grant awards

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Regional Collaboration
Entity Purpose/Objective Timeframe
findings from the NA. The goal of this project is to
comprehensively assess equity, economic, and environmental considerations in existing climate mitigation and
transportation planning policies, programs, and projects in the region that intersect with adaptation strategies and to identify efficiencies and opportunities among them.

SANDAG Regional Transportation Infrastructure Sea Level Rise Assessment and Adaptation Guidance (SANDAG, 2020) – The Adaptation Guidance analyzes potential sea level rise impacts to transportation facilities that cross jurisdictional lines and includes a compilation of adaptation policies, projects, and funding opportunities that are relevant to the San Diego region.
2020
San Diego State
University (SDSU) -
National Science
Foundation (NSF)
Grant
SDSU was awarded NSF funds for a project located in Imperial Beach entitled "Collaborative Research: Sustainable Water Infrastructure for Adapting to Coastal Climate Change." The focus will be on how groundwater shoaling will impact the stormwater infrastructure of communities like Imperial Beach.

The SDSU Team is gathering new groundwater data and
understanding the connection with SLR, and integrating
community perspectives on adaptation strategies.

Smart Coast
California
Smart Coast California describes a phased approach to an LCP update is an appropriate tiered response to SLR. A tiered response is a planning principle that institutes certain defined policies if/when there are specific thresholds of sea level rise that are observed, measured/quantified and documented as opposed to relying only projections only. Their website has a list of each City/County LCP and SLR efforts and the current status.

US Navy Navy Region Southwest entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Port of San Diego to align their planning initiatives related to projected SLR and coastal flooding. The Navy also participates on the SANDAG Regional Shoreline Management Working Group.

The Navy also collaborated with SANDAG on vulnerability mapping to increase military installation resilience through an Agreement
reached in 2018.

Collaboration is
ongoing.

Peer review of
the vulnerability
mapping was

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Regional Collaboration
Entity Purpose/Objective Timeframe
Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Grant. The grant study area included Imperial Beach. SR 75 was identified as a critical transportation facility for military readiness. underway in
2021.

Tijuana River
National Estuarine
Research Reserve
(TRNERR)
TRNERR preserves, protects and manages the resources of the Tijuana River Estuary. Work includes the Tijuana River
Sediment Management Work Plan and Monitoring Program
Project, and ongoing collaboration related to monitoring SLR impacts on the estuary.

Ongoing
Table 4 – Grant Awards and Applications in Process

Coastal Resiliency Grant Awards and Applications
Entity/Funding Purpose/Objective Timeframe
National Fish and
Wildlife
Foundation –
National Coastal
Resilience Fund
(NCRF) 2021
$250,000
application
Imperial Beach Community Resilience Plan. The Community Resilience Plan would create an adaptation management and monitoring plan/program that include strategies to address flooding impacts, encourage nature-based solutions, and adequately addresses the needs of the vulnerable populations that are experiencing impacts related to coastal hazards and flooding. The intent of the document would be to identify a way to create an intersection between green nature-based solutions to benefit the environment and protect/serve the vulnerable disadvantaged community members with a focus on environmental justice
Fall 2021 – Fall
2024
California
Natural
Resources/Ocean
Protection
Council
(Proposition 68) -
Bayshore
Bikeway
Resilience
Project
$455,000 funded
The Bayshore Bikeway Resiliency Project (Project) will retrofit a 1.2 segment of the San Diego Bayshore Bikeway (Bikeway) to provide multiple benefits to the disadvantaged communities of Imperial Beach including: flood protection, sea level rise (SLR) resilience, enhanced coastal access, and ecosystem resilience. The Bikeway is a heavily used recreational corridor that lies adjacent to the shoreline of the San Diego Bay. The Class 1 Bikeway is the first piece of improved infrastructure along the coastal communities of National City, Chula Vista, San Diego, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. These cities have identified existing or projected future risks to coastal flooding from elevated bay water levels. The Project will seek to repurpose the existing bikeway into a multi-benefit coastal resilience corridor that protects multiple vulnerable communities, a state highway, and the Bikeway itself from current and future coastal flooding while improving coastal access and 5/1/21-
10/1/22

Draft City of Imperial Beach LCP Work Plan August 2022

Coastal Resiliency Grant Awards and Applications
Entity/Funding Purpose/Objective Timeframe
adding transitional habitat areas along the bay edge. The project is intended as a proof-of-concept that could be applied along other segments of our “coastal resilience corridor” to protect other City communities with similar needs.

Tijuana River
Sediment
Management
Work Plan and
Monitoring
Program
State Coastal
Conservancy
Grant
$500,000 funded
The Coastal Conservancy Grant funding the Tijuana River Sediment Management Work Plan and Monitoring Program Project includes two parts: 1) develop a sediment management work plan to maximize the local beneficial reuse of sediment from current and anticipated stormwater management operations in the Tijuana River Valley (Valley); and, 2) develop a technical work plan for and implement baseline water quality and sediment monitoring program. The sediment management element will develop a work plan to evaluate sediment sources, management techniques, and regulatory requirements associated with sediment management activities. The baseline water quality and sediment monitoring program will evaluate cross-border flow water quality and perform activities to characterize sediment quality and trash in order to support project planning and capital project development activities in the Valley.

November
2020 – Winter
2022
Federal
Emergency
Management
Agency (FEMA) -
Building Resilient
Infrastructure
and
Communities
$15,160,988.50
application
submitted
To complete the planning, environmental review, permitting, and construction of the Bayshore Bikeway Resiliency Project.

P a g e | 1
August 17, 2022
ITEM TITLE: REVIEW OF INITIAL DRAFT OF THE BIGGER PICTURE STRATEGIC PLAN. (0100-10)
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:

City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In August of 2021 as part of the City Manager evaluation, the City Council directed the City Manager to prepare an update to the City’s strategic plan. Entitled “The Big Picture,” the previous plan was prepared approximately 20 years ago, and the City Council determined an update to the plan is in order. Staff has met on a regular basis since that time to prepare an updated document for an initial review by the City Council prior to conducting a series of community outreach meetings to obtain public input and feedback on the proposed strategic plan.

On June 15, 2022, this item was placed on the agenda of the City Council. Due to time constraints, the item was continued to a future meeting and will not be presented at this August 17, 2022, meeting of the City Council.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends the City Council review the initial draft, provide any feedback or direction, and instruct the City Manager to conduct a series of public meetings to receive public input and feedback.

OPTIONS:
 Review the initial draft and provide feedback and direction  Provide additional direction to the City Manager
 Reject the initial draft with direction for additional information BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
“The Big Picture” strategic plan has been an excellent tool aiding members of the City Council in the preparation of the municipal budget, updating land use ordinances, and providing general guidance for decision making. However, the plan is now more than 20 years old and the City Council has decided that the plan is in need of an update.

P a g e | 2
During the evaluation of the City Manager in August of 2021, the City Council directed the City Manager to complete an update to the plan. Since that time, staff has met on a regular basis and create an initial draft of the updated strategic plan entitled, “The Bigger Picture.” Staff has been purposeful in the development of the plan. The structure of the document will allow the plan to be used to create staff work plans and the preparation of the municipal budget. More importantly, the plan will allow the staff to remain focused on the goals and objectives of the City Council as identified in the plan by reducing distractions and unrelated efforts. The plan will also allow the public to have a clear understanding of the projects that will be pursued in the ongoing effort to improve the community.

The plan includes projects that are intended to be complete between 1-6 years. Each of the projects identified in this category will be accounted for in a work plan and the municipal budget.

However, the horizon of six years was selected to ensure the costs of the projects can be spread across three separate budget cycles because the City of Imperial Beach adopts a two-year municipal budget.

If the City Council finds the initial version of the Bigger Picture acceptable, the draft will be circulated in a series of outreach meetings to obtain public input and feedback. It is anticipated that the public outreach will be completed prior to the end of the calendar year so that the current City Council will have the opportunity to consider the plan for adoption. In future years, the City Council will be able to update, amend, and refine the plan to coincide with community needs, funding opportunities and other factors.

Staff welcomes any feedback from the members of the City Council prior to conducting the public outreach.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:

Not a project as defined by CEQA.

FISCAL IMPACT: Consideration of the plan will have no direct fiscal impact.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. The Initial Draft of The Bigger Picture

2. A Project Summary of the Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture DRAFT for Discussion Only Draft Date June 15, 2022 [Date] 1
Attachment 1

The Bigger Picture DRAFT for Discussion Only Draft Date June 15, 2022 [Date] 2
The Bigger Picture – An Updated Strategy for Imperial Beach Background
On October 4, 2000, the Imperial Beach City Council approved a strategic plan for the community known as the “Big Picture.” The document provides an excellent overview of several geographic regions in the City with descriptions of existing conditions and ideas or a vision for a desired future condition. In addition to the narrative of existing and potential future conditions, the document includes suggestions to improve the quality of life in the community and some “Big Ideas” intended to be more community-wide transformational improvements.

As with any successful public document, the contents of the Big Picture were generated through significant public outreach and participation including wide distribution of questionnaires, several community meetings, and document review and refinement in official meetings of the City Council. The outcome of this monumental effort was a visioning blueprint, general framework, and validation for City Council decision-making that was consistent with the Big Picture and the identified goals and objectives.

In many ways, the substance of the Big Picture is still applicable and relevant today. While many of the anticipated improvements have been completed, some of the anticipated projects are still being explored. Therefore, this document, “The Bigger Picture,” is in many ways an update or continuation of the Big Picture with a slightly different focus.

Intent
Using the Big Picture as a guiding document, the purpose and intent of the Bigger Picture is to elevate the visioning plan into a more strategic approach with attainable and measurable objectives. According to Brian de Haaff, the Chief Executive Officer of Aha! a leading “roadmap” software product, “vision is the initial thought about what kind of place it will be and why it will matter. Strategy is the blueprint for the foundation and framing.” In other words, a vision is the view of the future, and the strategy is how it happens. A vision can be a longer-term document, like the Big Picture completed in 2000, whereas a strategy needs to be reviewed, monitored and updated more often.

As an analogy, the initial vision of a new park would include thoughts about what type of facility the park will be and why it is important to have the park in the City. Strategy is used to secure the land, obtain funding and measure the results of the project against the anticipated outcomes.

The vision for Imperial Beach is positive experiences, attractive locations and facilities, safe neighborhoods and a laid-back comfortable atmosphere. These characteristics are reflected in the Big Picture and therefore the findings and information contained in that document are an excellent base from which to build a strategic plan. The purpose and intent of this document, the Bigger Picture, will be to add specific definitions and measurable outcomes to the vision, and create a framework or strategy to accomplish the task. These outcomes may range from problem identification to budgeting for capital projects to accomplish a goal or objective.

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Often, the vision does not include a physical feature, but rather a community service or program. Imperial Beach has many natural and existing amenities and by implementing an attainable strategy to improve and enhance the City’s facilities and programs, the residents and visitors will enjoy the best community services in the region.

Relevance and Implementation
The Bigger Picture is intended to be a relevant, currentstrategic plan that will be reviewed during the preparation of the municipal budget, Capital Improvements Program, and other planning and implementation tools of the City.

When municipal budgets are developed, the Bigger Picture will be reviewed and projects identified in the 1-6 Year Strategy will be included in the financial planning of the City. Additionally, the document will be updated, progress measured, and 1-6 Year projects added or modified, where appropriate during the budget preparation cycle.

Stated Purpose
The purpose of the Bigger Picture is to consolidate and organize the financial and human resources of the City into an action document consistent with direction provided by the City Council. Because the City of Imperial Beach adopted a two-year municipal budget, 6 years was chosen to allow three budget cycles to complete the identified tasks allowing the costs to be spread across more than a single budget cycle.

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Chapter 1 - Communitywide Strategic Efforts
Clean and Safe Neighborhoods and Public Spaces
The atmosphere in Imperial Beach public spaces must be not only inviting and fun, but residents and visitors must feel safe, and comfortable that the area is properly maintained and clean. In 2020, the residents of Imperial Beach passed Measure I, with more than 70% voting in favor, that raised the sales tax in the City by 1% with proceeds from the measure being used to create clean and safe neighborhoods. Recent community surveys completed in 2022 indicate that the highest priority of residents remains clean and safe neighborhoods. At the time this document was presented to the City Council for consideration, a review of the resident survey conducted in 2022 is underway and the City Council may consider asking the residents to increase the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Therefore, TOT has been identified as a potential funding source to complete some of the projects included herein.

The will of the residents is clear, and the highest priority of the Bigger Picture will be to develop strategies to improve the cleanliness and safety in the community. In many ways, each of the projects in this document are components of Measure I and the overarching goal of having clean and safe neighborhoods. Clean and safe neighborhoods require participation from every citizen, business owner, elected official and employee in the City.

For instance, a robust recreation program can result in a safer community by providing enrichment opportunities to residents. However, several of the departments in the City are specifically tasked with cleanliness and safety.

Public Works Department
Well maintained roads, sidewalks, parks, beachfront, and all public spaces is the established mission of the Public Works Department. A well-maintained City and a rapid response to trash and graffiti removal, and attractive parks, roadway medians, alleys, city trees, and bikeways helps create pride in the community and is necessary for clean and safe neighborhoods.

The Public Works Department is highly effective, even with limited resources in the provision of regular and ongoing maintenance throughout the City. In addition to routine scheduled maintenance, it is a priority for Public Works staff to quickly respond to unanticipated maintenance needs including:
 Elimination of graffiti within 48 hours of being notified  Maintenance of streets and storm drains before, during, and after storm events  Removal of illegally dumped items
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Even with the best of efforts and an effective safety program, instances will arise that will require a higher level of enforcement. In these instances, police services will be provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department who contracts with the City for traditional public safety services. The contract with the County represents, by far, the largest single budget expenditure in the City. In the past several years, the percentage increase in the contract has outpaced the percentage increase in City revenue. A new contract is in the approval process with much lower percentage increases in the next five years (FY 23-27).

Imperial Beach Fire Department

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In all public spaces, there will be instances of fire, injury or accidents that will require the services of the Imperial Beach Fire Department and their companion ambulatory service, currently provided by the City of Chula Vista.

The Fire Department plays an important role in community education including teaching cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life saving techniques. Another primary role of the Fire Department is emergency preparedness and developing incident action plans such as winter storms. Their ongoing leadership and guidance was evident during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Finally, the Fire Department helps create clean neighborhoods by identifying areas of overgrown planting materials and weeds that can present a fire or safety hazard.

Imperial Beach Lifeguard Service
Water related emergency situations and other safety concerns on the tidelands and adjacent areas are the responsibility of the Imperial Beach Lifeguard Service. While the Lifeguards respond to medical emergencies and enforce state and local regulations on the tidelands, their most important function is education and keeping people safe in an unpredictable environment. One of the most successful educational programs in the City is the Junior Lifeguard program where local youth can learn the skills needed to become an ocean lifeguard.

Humane Society
The San Diego Humane Society provides animal control services for the City of Imperial Beach. Like the other public safety providers, education is a primary focus of the Humane Society. Nonetheless, there are occasions when residents or visitors bring pets to public spaces that can result in unsafe or unclean situations in the community. Dangerous or intimidating animals, failure to pick up waste, or other conditions related to animals and their owners, can quickly change a pleasant experience in a public space into a frightening encounter that can escalate quickly.

Code Compliance
The Imperial Beach Municipal Code provides the standards for a clean and safe environment in the City for residents and businesses. Code Compliance Officers in Imperial Beach are tasked with ensuring the provisions of the Municipal Code are followed by property owners. The City is currently moving to an automated process where residents will be able to submit service requests and other concerns such as graffiti, potholes, and vandalism through the use of a cell phone application.

Community Park Rangers and Park Ambassadors
In direct response to Measure I, the City of Imperial Beach has implemented a Park Ranger program to improve the cleanliness and safety in the community. The new program is anticipated to expand and be responsive to the needs of the community.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Assessment A nationally recognized guide for creating Clean and Safe Public Spaces is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED. Each of the parks, public facilities, and prominent gathering areas in Imperial Beach will be analyzed using this tool and plans enacted to bring each of the facilities into harmony with the CPTED principles over time.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

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 Provide budget support, maintain adequate staffing levels, and provide clear direction to the departments and divisions charged with enhancing and maintaining clean and safe neighborhoods.  Update local regulations and ordinances to provide employees assigned with maintaining clean and safe neighborhoods with the tools necessary to complete their tasks efficiently and effectively.  Implement a user-friendly system of reporting code violations and other concerns including the ability to report the violation or concern instantly using cell phone technology.  Conduct assessments at public areas and facilities and prepare a CPTED Improvement Plan that is specific to each area to enhance safety and crime prevention.
 Provide budget to implement components of the CPTED Improvement Plan that considers overall public space security, adequate safety lighting, and strategically placed remote surveillance.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Funding for Clean and Safe Neighborhoods will potentially be provided through grant sources, but if grant sources do not materialize, funding will be required from the General Fund of Imperial Beach in direct connection with the passage of Measure I and the potential future funding from an increase in the TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

Each of the public spaces in Imperial Beach will be improved in accordance with the provisions of the Crime Prevention through Education and Design (CPTED) and improvement plans will be developed to improve each space for safety and crime prevention.

Update of the Imperial Beach Local Coastal Program and General Plan Future land use decisions in Imperial Beach are guided by the adopted General Plan and Local Coastal Program (LCP). In many coastal communities, these are separate documents with the LCP addressing the portions of the community near the coast and the General Plan guiding the land use decisions in the remainder of the community.

In Imperial Beach, a majority of the City is located within the Coastal Zone as defined in the Coastal Act of California adopted by the State Legislature in 1976. Therefore, to encourage compatible uses and avoid confusion, the City of Imperial Beach has decided to keep the two documents consistent to the extent possible.

For several years, the City has been actively working on a comprehensive update to the Local Coastal Program and General Plan. The progress has slowed due to requests from the California Coastal Commission to include land use regulations in the program that are not consistent with the preferred outcomes of the residents. The City is exploring strategies to advance the plans incrementally on the items upon which consensus has been reached. 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 The comprehensive update to the Local Coastal Program and General Plan will be either completed and adopted by the City Council and the California Coastal Commission or the effort will be suspended and the existing document, except as officially amended, will continue to serve as the guidelines for future land use decisions in Imperial Beach.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The California Coastal Commission has provided significant funding for much of the work completed to date. There are also other funding sources available that will be explored by

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staff. However, it is likely that at least some of the funding to conclude the work on the Local Coastal Program and the General Plan will be allocated from the City’s General Fund.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

Updating the land use ordinances and regulations for the City is an active and ongoing process. Each year, new legislation is passed that requires modification of these documents. Additionally, there are requirements of State law that require periodic updates to the City’s General Plan.

Events, Activities and Cultural Exchange
Community events are an important part of the Imperial Beach lifestyle.

Some of the events have been conducted for many years, while others are first time activities or happen on occasion. Continuing traditions while reviewing and improving the reoccurring events can foster community pride and improve the business climate in the City. At the same time, it is critical to have effective processes in place to be able to respond to occasional or first-time activities that can enhance the enjoyment, cultural awareness and educational experiences for residents and visitors.

Community activities should be inclusive of all residents and visitors. Although the City of Imperial Beach does not have the financial capacity to provide staff support or financial assistance to every potential activity, the prudent use of available resources can ensure that everyone can find or discover some endeavor that will improve their quality of life and enjoyment of living in such a great community. Seeking a wide variety of activities is key. 1-6 Year Strategy (completed prior to December 31, 2027):
 Work closely with the sponsors of annual or regular occurring events, identify ways to improve the experience for all attendees, residents in the vicinity, the business community, and other stakeholders to ensure events and activities provide a positive benefit to the entire community.  Create new events that showcase the City including walking and bicycling campaigns that include scenic routes that celebrate the unique qualities of the City and emphasize the services available in the business community.
 Create new events that appeal to all ethic, age, gender and sexual preference groups in the community.

An example may be the implementation of a Dia de Los Muertos event.  Operate a first-class recreation program with a mixture of traditional sports and lifestyle enhancement programs that helps build essential skills, knowledge, and aptitudes of participants.  Activate underutilized event space such as the Senior Center, Sports Park Recreation Center, 170 Palm Community Center, and outdoor park areas to support a wide range of community activities.  Update the recreation and event facilities that accommodate events, activities, and potentially private gatherings. These facilities can be complementary, not in competition with other privately owned locations such as hotels, as an alternative for family parties and life celebrations.

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Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with special events and the City’s recreation program are allocated annually from the General Fund. There are offsetting fees for many of the events and the recreation programs, and potential for outside funding. The improvements to the recreation facilities will be funded primarily through the American Rescue Plan Act funding provided to the City from the Federal government.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

The City’s newly created recreation program will continue to expand to satisfy the needs of the community. This will result in the need for investment in additional facilities and additional staff to administer the programs.

Likewise, the number, size and quality of special events will continue to grow. As a beach community and attendance at special events, Imperial Beach must carefully monitor the number of events to maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by the residents.

Outreach and Communications
The ability to communicate with residents is critical and potentially the most important Community Service the City can offer. In addition to required public notice in newspapers and physical posting, the City is active on most social media platforms. The City also provides information using electronic and static message boards and banners, by organizing community open houses, and various other means of communication. Despite these efforts, it is very clear that more must be accomplished to avoid any segments of the population feeling disenfranchised. According to the 2020 United State Census, approximately 52% of the Imperial Beach population is Hispanic, 32% White, 7% Asian and 4% African American. Effective outreach and communication in the most transparent and accessible manner possible must account for these factors and is a stated goal of the City Council. Often, government information is complex and difficult to understand. Every effort will be made to provide information to residents that is easy to understand, accessible for people with disabilities, and in a manner best suited for the intended audience. 1-6 Year Strategy (completed prior to December 31, 2027):
 Implement a new official website that is more user-friendly and bi-lingual that can expand the ability of residents to communicate with the City and complete business transactions efficiently. The online forms should be very intuitive and easy to navigate.
 Expand the social media footprint of the City to be accessible to all users with special attention given to a variety of languages and platforms preferred by a range of ages and cultural groups and evolving trends for new communication methods.
 Maintain a constant presence in traditional video and print media (television and newspapers).  Intentional and increased outreach providing multilingual and multicultural information.

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 Install more dynamic, visible, and interesting electronic message boards and improve wayfinding signage throughout the community.
 Seek innovative or unconventional methods to reach segments of the community who don’t respond to traditional outreach methods.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: A majority of the funding for community outreach and communication will be allocated from the City of Imperial Beach General Fund. Current budget allocations are already in place for the purchase and implementation of a new webpage. The installation of the electronic message boards is identified for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to allow the City to communicate timely and critical information to the residents.

Physical Accessibility
A majority of the public infrastructure in Imperial Beach was constructed prior to the advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and therefore is less accessible than desired. Although all new building and facilities will be more accessible, there needs to be a concentrated effort on improving all buildings and facilities to be more accessible to all residents and visitors. This may take some time, but it is a very worthy effort. In addition to the more traditional ADA standards, Imperial Beach will explore strategies to improve access and mobility for all. 1-6 Year Strategy (completed prior to December 31, 2027):
 Create recreational programs dedicated to residents with special needs.  Improve parking and access to major destinations and amenities.  Improve safe walking spaces separated to the extent possible from vehicular conflict.  Install additional bicycle lanes separated to the extent possible from vehicular conflict.  Provide additional ADA access mats on the beach.
 Install better and more visible wayfinding signs with an emphasis on accessibility.  Install inclusive playgrounds in our city parks to ensure children and adults of all abilities have play options throughout the community.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Staff will explore a variety of options for addressing physical accessibility including grants and community contributions. However, if funding is not available for these items, an allocation from the General Fund, including Measure I and a potential increase in TOT, will be necessary.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

The introduction of a local shuttle service that can provide safe and reliable transportation for residents who lack the physical ability or resources to move throughout the community can improve the accessibility for those in need. The transportation service should also provide vital connections to local transit centers. The route(s) for the service can be studied to not only provide access to those in need, but also benefit the larger community by reducing parking demand and reducing traffic.

Social Accessibility and Equity

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Social Accessibility is the practice of making information, activities, and/or environments sensible, meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. As government processes and programs become increasingly complex, virtual, online and impersonal, it is essential that the City of Imperial Beach identify opportunities for all residents regardless of age, income level, ethnicity, spoken or written language, special interests and needs, or any other category to have accessibility to both opportunities to engage in their community and to the municipal services provided by the City. Additionally, to meet all resident needs, outreach meetings should be conducted in a variety of locations throughout the community.

Social Equity includesimpartiality, fairness, and justice for all people. Unlike equality which starts with the premise that all people are starting at the same place, equity embraces the differences between all. The combination of quantitative data from the U.S. Census Bureau which shows that 51.5% of the Imperial Beach population are Hispanic or Latino, 67.7% of the population are renters, and 10.1% are persons 65 years and over combined with the qualitative data that comes from historical observations/anecdotes related to public participation in the public process, outreach, and the existing built environment show that there is a need to focus the strategic lens towards promoting social equity within the City of Imperial Beach.

Developing an equity plan for the City of Imperial Beach will help promote active participation from all voices of the community through the creation of intentional community engagement processes that combat structural and historical drivers of inequality, such as chronic disinvestment and targeted exclusion. Imperial Beach is a diverse, colorful small town beach community that is characterized by its unique geographic location that is bounded by both abundant natural resources and bi-cultural resources from neighboring Mexico but, there is a lack of cultural architecture, art, and representation in the physical or built environment. 1-6 Year Strategy (completed prior to December 31, 2027):

The implementation of Social Equity and Accessibility in the planning and governmental process is an ongoing effort that must continually be considered, discussed and improved upon. It is the intent that the composition of the 1–6-year strategy will start with near-term actions that can be made to start a foundational practice of equity and access.
 Join the San Diego Regional network and AARP national network of Age Friendly Cities.  Facilitate and support the creation of local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to better enhance and engage the local community.
 Where feasible, consider collaborating with local CBOs and community leaders to facilitate the creation of an Equity Working Group such as neighborhood or district groups to consult/engage on projects.  Address outreach strategy and budget for equitable, inclusive outreach on the onset of projects.  Incorporate equity policies and language in the guiding documents for the City where feasible.  Provide/develop high-quality youth development programs in the Parks and Recreation Department to Increase local youth participation in youth development programs.  Implement a multi-lingual outreach and education program on housing-related matters  Develop and implement an Affirmative Fair Marketing Plan (AMP) that emphasizes marketing to the minority and low-income concentration areas.

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Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Social Accessibility and Equity will be built into all projects undertaken by the City and therefore, the funding will mirror the fiscal resources used to complete the project. Any additional effort to improve Social Accessibility and Equity will be from the General Fund of the City.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

The need to focus on social accessibility and equity will be constant and ongoing. Unlike more of the other projects listed in this document, the goals and objectives both in the near-term and the longer-term will be consistent. The City is committed to Social Accessibility and Equity as an ethos where actions, goals and policies stem from. It is intended that there would be some overlap between near-term and long-term goals to show the continued commitment to equitable action. As more information and resources become available, the long-term goals would change and evolve.
 Facilitate and support the creation of local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to better enhance and engage the local community.
 Where feasible, consider collaborating with local CBOs and community leaders to facilitate the creation of an Equity Working Group such as neighborhood or district groups to consult/engage on projects.  Address outreach strategy and budget for equitable, inclusive outreach at the onset of projects.  Incorporate equity policies and language in the guiding documents for the City where feasible.  Update the Climate Action Plan to include environmental justice.  Provide high-quality, inclusive youth development programs.  Create and Implement an Age Friendly Imperial Beach Action Plan.  Continue to invest in public facility and infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for residents, especially in the minority and low-income concentration areas.  Participate in the regional equitable climate adaptation and enhance interagency coordination as well as develop strong partnerships to develop multi-benefit regional solutions.

Relationships and Partnerships
The provision of efficient and effective community services requires a comprehensive network of partners to ensure the needs of all residents and visitors are being explored and considered. Imperial Beach is fortunate to have great partners that will be essential in providing effective community services and there will be new partnerships created in the future as community services continue to improve and evolve in the City. Some of the current partners include:
 The Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce – as advocates for the business community and the link between business owners and the City, the Chamber of Commerce is an essential partner in creating a stable and desirable business climate.
 The Port of San Diego – Imperial Beach, along with Chula Vista, Coronado, National City and the City of San Diego comprise the cities that make up the Port District. The relationship with the Port is essential for Imperial Beach. The City provides municipal services for the portion of the Port District located in Imperial Beach and the reimbursement for those services is a significant portion of the City’s revenue.

There is not a more important partner in realizing the success of Imperial Beach.  South Bay Union School District – the SBUSD administers the elementary schools in Imperial Beach and

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some of the southern neighborhoods in the City of San Diego. The City and the District have a history of joint use agreements with the City, but at the current time, those agreements need to be examined and expanded.
 Sweetwater Union High School District – the Sweetwater District administers the only high school in the City, Mar Vista High School. A variety of opportunities for partnerships exist including community use of the new swimming pool and access to the gymnasium facilities, track and field space, and other District facilities. In return, the City offers the potential for playing fields for baseball, softball, football, and soccer, together with beachfront activities and park space.  The Boys & Girls Club of South Bay – located in Veterans Park, the Boys & Girls Club provides many youth programs that can be incorporated into the recreational programs of the City. The facilities at the Boys & Girls Club and the use of City facilities offer numerous opportunities for partnerships and programs as both entities provide life enrichment efforts to the same residents, primarily children.  The Imperial Beach Branch of the San Diego County Library – Imperial Beach is home to one of the most beautiful, updated and functional libraries in the region thanks to the San Diego County library system.

The library offers reading programs, computer access, meeting space and other amenities for the community, and more recently has partnered with the City’s Park & Recreation Department to expand their services to the residents of Imperial Beach by offering outdoor concerts, movies at the park, and other activities, as well as expanding their hours of operation to allow for more enrichment and programs in their facilities.
 California State Parks – The Borderfield State Park is located in Imperial Beach and presents a great opportunity for accessing one of the less visited areas in the region. The State Park has very nice group facilities, a beach, a County campground near the Park, and result in positive promotion of the community, and high-level interest from the State and Federal governments to address the issues associated with the international border.
 United States Fish and Wildlife Service – The U.S. FWS operates the national wildlife refuges located on both the north and south sides of the City. An effective partnership with the Service can help the City realize its goal of a financially stable eco-tourism program. As the mega-region binational area continues to grow, these areas will become ever more critical and valuable for the City of Imperial Beach in maintaining its character as a safe community with a small-town atmosphere.  Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve – TRNERR is a partnership between the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of California, established under the auspices of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. The Reserve is operated by staff from California State Parks, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the non-profit Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association (SWIA) for long-term research, education, and stewardship of the Tijuana Estuary. The Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center located at 3rd St. and Caspian Way is a free community resource for residents and visitors.
 United States Navy – Portions of Naval Base Coronado are located within and immediately adjacent to the City of Imperial Beach. Perhaps only second to the beach, the character of Imperial Beach is shaped by the City’s relationship and partnership with the Navy. As the relationships are strengthened, it is possible that the variety of world class Naval facilities could be used for limited community programs.

Imperial Beach has always been and continues to be a strong advocate and partner for the purpose and

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mission of the United States Navy.
 San Diego Association of Governments – SANDAG is a critical partner in the provision of transportation funding, shoreline protection, regional planning and countless other regional government efforts.

Working with SANDAG allows the City to build relationships with the other communities in the County in an organized and predetermined manner. It is also a method to allow other communities to engage in issue that effect Imperial Beach in a prescribed and organized way.  Metropolitan Transit System – MTS links the transit systems throughout the region and allows smaller communities like Imperial Beach to have access to a much more comprehensive transit system to the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Coordinating with MTS to ensure transit is reliable, convenient and safe is an important element in the strategic efforts of the City.

The City relies on relationships and partnerships to effectively provide services and government programs. There are so many other existing and potential partnerships and relationships that need to be fostered and developed.

For this purpose, the City of Imperial Beach has created a management structure that recognizes and addresses this situation. The City Manager is the staff member assigned to enhance and expand external relationships, City Council efforts and the off-campus departments. The City’s Chief Administrative Officer is an equal management partner assigned to the administrative and daily operational functions of the City. Together, the management team links the internal and external functions of the City in a seamless and effective fashion. The City Manager must continue to maintain and foster relationships and partnerships that will enhance the ability of the City to enhance the quality of life for residents, strengthen the City’s business climate, and improve visitor experiences.

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Chapter 2 - Project Based Strategic Efforts
Imperial Beach has a variety of beautiful locations, world class amenities and top-notch facilities that combine to create an impressive network of businesses, residential areas, and passive and active recreation opportunities.

This Bigger Picture includes an overview of those areas together with a long-term vision, and some short-term strategic actions that can be taken to advance the vision. (Alphabetical Order)
13th Street Community Corridor Improvements
The commercial corridor along 13th Street from Imperial Beach Boulevard to the Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) is an opportunity to create community pride, improve vehicular and pedestrian safety, and enhance aesthetics while at the same time improving the immediate business climate in the vicinity of the improvements.

The 13th Street Commercial Corridor contains some aging commercial centers that need façade renovations and limited parking, but the backbone is in place to transform the corridor into an attractive area that will better serve the residents in the area.

Vision: The revitalized 13th Street Community Corridor will be transformational in the eastern portion of the community. The investment in this corridor will result in safer neighborhoods, better commercial services closer to the residents in the eastern portion of the City, and reinvestment in the aging residential dwellings consistent with what has been experienced in other parts of the City. Themed lighting and signage together with improved pedestrian facilities and more attractive businesses will improve the quality of life for residents in the vicinity of the improvements.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Staff will take the steps necessary to prepare a 13th Street Community Corridor Plan and circulate the plan to obtain community input before presenting the plan to the City Council for consideration. The plan will include details such as lighting and signage design, the creation of a façade renovation program, improved pedestrian access, and a business incentive program to encourage businesses that benefit the community to locate on 13th Street.
 Staff will reach out to existing businesses to identify the barriers to façade improvements and business recruiting on 13th Street. Once those barriers have been identified, staff will create a plan to address the barriers and present potential solutions to the City Council.  Staff will reach out to the existing multifamily housing units to identify barriers for building renovations from property owners and community concerns about the neighborhood from tenants that live in the area. Results will be incorporated in the 13th Street Community Corridor Plan.  Implementation of initial, lower cost improvements such as lighting, signage and façade renovation programs consistent with the 13th Street Community Corridor Plan following adoption by the City Council.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with proposed planning and outreach efforts and the corresponding 13th Street Community Corridor Plan improvements will require an allocation from the General Fund of the City of Imperial Beach and will be included in the preparation of future budget proposals

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for consideration by the City Council. Staff will also research grants, public-private partnerships, and other funding options.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

Upon completion of the planning efforts, full implementation of the plans must occur. The installation of lighting, improvement of pedestrian facilities, façade renovation, and other improvements are likely to be significant and funding will need to be identified once the scope of the project is fully understood. 170 Palm Avenue (former Adult Education Center)
Formerly used by the Sweetwater Union High School
District as the Imperial Beach Adult Education Center, the City obtained ownership of the structure at 170 Palm after the District determined they would no longer use the
building for educational purposes. The City Council has directed staff to update and remodel the building for
inclusion in the Imperial Beach Recreation Program. The space will be used for recreation programs, public
meeting space, community education and services and
other similar community uses. While structurally sound, the building is in need of significant cosmetic and infrastructure upgrades. For instance, the roof and the heating and ventilation system need to be replaced. Inside the building, there has been a lot of water damage and the layout will need to be modified to serve the recreational and community needs of the City.

Vision: 170 Palm (name forthcoming) will be the center of the lifestyle enrichment and recreation programs of the City. The building will be a place where all residents can come to participate in community-based education and recreation, but also a place where residents can learn about Federal, State, County and City programs that can help them improve their everyday lives. The building will be a catalyst for economic activity on “Old Palm Avenue” and every resident will use the space for education, recreation, public meetings, conferences, public services, and similar uses.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

The building, inside and out, will be remodeled and updated. The space will contain recreation, education, public service offices, public meeting spaces, and a variety of other space. The design will be flexible and adaptable to address community needs as programs grow and develop. The remodel will include a new roof and ventilation system, flooring, furnishings, and façade beatification.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: In large part, funding for the project at 170 Palm Avenue has been identified using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). If there are shortfalls in the funding, there is funding from the Parks Impact Fee available and if necessary, the City Council can consider the allocation funds from the General Fund of the City including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives

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The parking and space around the building is limited. Staff will explore the potential of collaborating with surrounding property owners to create a more functional building that will accommodate the anticipated growth of the programs at 170 Palm Avenue.

Bayshore Bikeway
The Bayshore Bikeway is a regional facility that traverses the northern part of Imperial Beach. Oversight of the bikeway is provided by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and when completed, will allow cyclists to ride from Coronado, through Imperial Beach, to downtown San Diego and beyond. The City of Imperial Beach is responsible for maintenance of the bikeway and vegetation management immediately adjacent to the bikeway. There are limited facilities along the Imperial Beach segment of the bikeway with only a few commercial uses (Bikeway Village) and limited parking (13th Street northern streetend and near the Public Works campus at the northern end of 10th Street). The Bayshore Bikeway presents opportunities to participate in some large regional events and to conduct local events where appropriate.

There are some concerns associated with the bikeway that need to be addressed. The facility has become a very popular place to walk and a primary concern is the conflict between riders and walkers on the bikeway. In the past few years, sections of walking path have been added near the bikeway to reduce the conflict between cyclists and pedestrians. There are some sitting areas that overlook the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Sellers- Keever memorial plaque named for two young boys who lost their lives nearby.

A second concern is the introduction of electric bicycles on the bikeway. Constructed as a non-motorized trail, there are a growing number of electric bicycles that travel at a relatively high rate of speed. Even novice riders on electric bikes can easily exceed speeds of 25 miles per hour on the very narrow and winding path.

Vision: The Bayshore Bikeway will be an area where residents and visitors can enjoy a safe and scenic experience with views of the San Diego Bay, downtown San Diego, and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Cycling and pedestrian areas will be appropriately separated, and bicycle speeds will be suitable for the unique setting.

Users will have access to drinking water, seating/rest areas, and eventually restroom facilities. The shoulders of the bikeway will be properly maintained with specific attention paid to sight lines and blind corners. The project will be incorporated, and be an important element, in any long-range planning for an enhanced bay front experience in Imperial Beach.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Bikeway regulatory signs and safety calming methods will be implemented in key locations in the Imperial Beach section of the Bayshore Bikeway to encourage appropriate bicycling speeds and improve pedestrian safety. Increased enforcement of dangerous speeds and activities will be conducted by the Imperial Beach Recreation Department through the Park Ranger program. Staff will work with

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the Bayshore Bikeway committee at SANDAG to identify the location, design and language to place on the signage. The signs will then be fabricated and installed by staff.  Multiple hydration stations will be installed in strategic locations in the Imperial Beach section of the Bayshore Bikeway. Staff will examine the location of drinking water facilities and identify the most appropriate locations to place 2-3 hydration stations along the bikeway. Staff will work with Cal-Am Water to identify the process for obtaining drinking water and inquire about a potential sponsorship.  A cycling/pedestrian safety plan will be created by the Parks and Recreation Committee to address the conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians. The safety plan will
address the increasing number of electric bicycles that can travel at a much higher speeds than traditional bicycles.  Additional lighting will be installed in strategic locations to improve user safety with impacts to neighboring homes considered. Staff will identify the most appropriate
locations to add lighting fixtures in the Bayside
neighborhood along the bikeway and work with SDGE to
install the lighting.
 Maintenance of the Bikeway will be monitored and
improved to eliminate sight hazards of overgrown vegetation, unsafe pavement transitions, drop-off areas at the shoulder of the bikeway, debris, and other potential safety concerns. Maintenance of the bikeway will be included in the routine work plans in the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Some of the short-term goals for the Bayshore Bikeway such as signage, cycling/pedestrian planning, and proper maintenance are comparatively inexpensive and can be included in the routine budgeting and work plans in the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments. The installation of hydration stations and additional lighting will be included in the Capital Improvements Program for the City and funding must be allocated by the City Council. Staff will seek grant funding, assistance from SANDAG, and explore various other outside funding opportunities, but as shorter-term objectives, if no other funding is identified, funding will be allocated from the General Fund, including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:
 The City of Imperial Beach is concerned about future sea level rise and increased flooding of the Bayshore Bikeway and Bayside neighborhood. It is also important to receive public input on the desired community enhancements for the south end of San Diego Bay. The Bayshore Bikeway Resiliency Project intends to develop concept designs that protect low laying areas from 3.5 feet of sea level rise and include initial planning for enhancements for public access, recreation, and activation of the Bikeway in Imperial Beach.  The City will need to work with the community, stakeholders and other partner agencies partners to implement future improvements along the Bayshore Bikeway. Projects will likely include the Fish and Wildlife Service Birding and Walking trail that separates pedestrians from the Bayshore Bikeway, construction of additional overlook areas, gathering points of interests, restroom facility, additional

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parking and access, new recreational space for users of the Bikeway, and eco-tourism based commercial development.
 Working with partners from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, South Bay Union School District, Port of San Diego, cities of San Diego and Coronado, and others, new and innovative ways to access and enjoy the amenities of the San Diego Bay will be planned and developed.

The Bayfront
With the exception of the views and active recreation offered by the Bayshore Bikeway and pedestrian paths, and a small commercial area on the far eastern portion of the City, the connection to San Diego Bay with the City of Imperial Beach is limited. However, the bayfront is a resource that must not be overlooked and a longer-term strategy is needed to realize a more meaningful connection with this precious community amenity. At the northeastern boundary of the City, Bikeway Village includes a small commercial center, parking and excellent access to the Bayshore Bikeway. To the east of 13th St is the future Pond 20 wetland mitigation bank and development project. Immediately west of Bikeway Village is a residential area that extends west to a more industrial area where a large industrial building and the Imperial Beach Public Works Facility are located. West of the City’s Public Works Facility to the western border of the City is primarily residential development.

Vision: The Bayfront will be a vibrant neighborhood characterized by public access to views, wildlife viewing, bike and pedestrian paths together with eco-tourism based economic development that includes new opportunities to experience the natural and cultural resources of south San Diego Bay. All future improvements will be sensitive to the adjacent residential neighborhood, FWS habitat, cultural and historic resources, and accommodate future sea level rise.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 The initial exercise in accomplishing the vision for the Imperial Beach Bayfront will be to complete an ownership and land use analysis of existing conditions. The analysis will need to contain the various jurisdictional lines as well. A significant portion of the potential Bayfront improvement area is located in either the City of San Diego or the City of Coronado and may requirement agreements with these neighboring cities. Staff will either conduct the analysis or engage the services of an external real estate firm to complete the task.
 The Imperial Beach General Plan and Local Coastal Program will need to be updated and amended to reflect appropriate land use regulations that require future development improvements to be consistent with the future vision for the Bayfront. Staff will prepare and process the appropriate amendments.  An Imperial Beach Bayfront Specific Plan will need to be created with input from the community to ensure the development of the Bayfront will become what the residents desire and have public support. The plan will include allowable uses, design considerations, and other development details and guidelines.

This work will also include input from the various boards and committees of the City.

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 Property ownership must be monitored to be aware of when strategic parcels are available for purchase that would allow the land assemblage necessary to implement the Bayfront Specific Plan. The parcels could be purchased and used for alternative purposes (residential) until land assembly is practical. It is recognized that the transformation of the Bayfront will be completed over many years and incrementally.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Most of the costs associated with the 1-6 year strategy will be for personnel costs or consultant fees. Staff will seek grant funding and explore various other outside funding opportunities, but as shorter-term objectives, if no other funding is identified, funding will be allocated from the General Fund including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:
 Obtaining access to the waters of San Diego Bay from Imperial Beach will require significant collaboration with a variety of agencies. Between the open waters of the bay and any potential access point from Imperial Beach is a portion of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and because the cities of Coronado and San Diego extend to where their boundaries touch north of Imperial Beach, they would need to be included in the discussions. It is very likely that access would require congressional action at the National level. Staff will initiate what is likely to be a multi-year process.
 As strategic properties become available, staff will need to inform the City Council for possible action. It is altogether possible that the City will not be able to generate the funding necessary to purchase any properties, but realization of the vision for the Bayfront may depend on ownership and control of a majority of the property, at least initially.
 The historical development pattern of the community did not result in access to the Bayfront without traversing a residential neighborhood. As the actual development of the Specific Plan commences, impacts on surrounding neighborhoods will need to be considered and adequate vehicular, pedestrian, cycling, utility infrastructure and other facility improvements will need to be implemented.

Beachfront
The beachfront in Imperial Beach stretches from the Mexican border on the south to Camp Surf and the Coronado City limit on the north. Southern portions of the beach are often closed to water contact due to contamination from transboundary flows of sewage and debris in the Tijuana River and in the various canyon flows. The remaining beach area is typically open to water contact, but is closed on occasion, especially after rainfall. The beach is comparatively narrow and faces almost directly west. There are some distinctive areas of the beachfront.

The section from the Mexican border to the southern end of Seacoast Drive is largely undeveloped and includes a National Wildlife Refuge and a State Park (Borderfield). From the Southern End of Seacoast Drive north to Imperial Beach Blvd. is primarily residential with relatively high density. Between Imperial Beach Blvd. and Palm Avenue is an area that features tourist areas, residential development, parks, the iconic Imperial Beach Pier, and several commercial establishments. Finally, the portion of the beach north of Palm Avenue to Carnation Ave is primarily residential and relatively high density.

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The beach is accessible by several street-ends and two public parks. The water areas from the mean high tide line extending west for several hundred yards, including the pier, are within the Port District of the Port of San Diego.

The City of Imperial Beach provides lifeguard and
maintenance services to the beachfront on behalf of the Port of San Diego.

Serving as the beach of south San Diego County, the
beachfront is popular for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, boogie boarding and fishing on the Imperial Beach pier.

Throughout the beachfront area there are several pieces of artwork that are on display thanks to the Port of San Diego. Just north of the Imperial Beach boundary, the
YMCA operates a facility, Camp Surf, that provides youth and group camp opportunities to local families.

Vision: The vision for the beachfront can also be described as a hope for the future condition. Clean water, pristine sandy beaches, attractive and appropriate amenities, a safe and inviting environment, and access for all is the vision for the beachfront. The ocean and beach bring residents and visitors from all walks of life seeking a variety of activities that aren’t always compatible. In Imperial Beach, the balance of activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, walking, sunbathing, dog walking, physical activities (volleyball, over the line, etc.) and even research will be achieved, and everyone will have an enjoyable experience and return often. All of these efforts will account for the sensitive environmental conditions present at the beachfront. The beachfront is also a thriving residential area, and it will be critical to maintain a positive and supported business climate. 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Completion of a Reinvestment and Façade Renovation Program establishing incentives for desirable eating and drinking establishments, primarily for local (non-franchise) businesses, and the creation of unique and interesting experiences for visitors. The plan will include a current and future parking plan, transportation services including transit, biking and a pedestrian plan emphasizing safety and user comfort (space and lighting).
 Completion of an Art, Mural, and Activity Program that inventories public art and activities on the beachfront and the funding and maintenance needs. Much of the public art is on loan from the Port of San Diego and the activities including the Farmer’s Market, Artisan Market are operated by non-profit organizations. It is critical that a coordinated program be developed to sustain these important elements.  Installation of wayfinding and storytelling signage will enhance the visitor experience and preserve the history of Imperial Beach. The wayfinding signage should be thematic and attractive, and the storytelling signage should be available, at least electronically through a quick response (QR) code, in a variety of languages.
 Picture platforms, maps and points of interest including Las Playas de Tijuana, the IB Pier, the National Estuary, and similar locations will be installed to increase interest in the Imperial Beach region.

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 The City will work with the Port of San Diego to complete the proposed improvements to the Imperial Beach Pier and other improvements in the tidelands.
 Programs to reduce and quickly mitigate the impacts from activities or features that detract from the visitor and resident experience including vagrancy, homelessness, impaired persons, graffiti, and vandalism will be implemented.
 Improve the lighting on Seacoast Drive, concentrating at the pedestrian scale, to improve the business climate, increase interest and enhance safety in area with a wide mixture of users.

Pilot project to activate Seacoast Drive to allow for greater pedestrian and outdoor dining use.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Most of the costs associated with the 1-6 year strategy are challenging to fund with traditional grant sources. Therefore, although staff will seek to identify grant funding and other options, it is likely that most of these improvements will need to be funded by General Fund appropriations by the City Council including funding from Measure I and potential funding from the potential increase in TOT. Additionally, it is possible that the Port of San Diego will provide funding if an appropriate connection to improving safety and activation of the tidelands can be demonstrated by the proposed projects.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:
 Reconfigure Seacoast Drive to widen and improve the safety for pedestrian facilities, improve access and views of the beachfront, maximize available parking, and upgrade the underground infrastructure to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise.
 Mapping and planning for coastline protection is critical as the community prepares for sea level rise. This effort will include identifying the current location of sea walls, revetments, and natural dunes and how these systems can be enhanced to protect the community from the impacts of flooding and other damage associated with seal level rise in a manner acceptable to the California Coastal Commission and other regulatory agencies
 Seek opportunities for additional beach nourishment to maintain a sandy beach for recreation and shoreline protection from large wave events. The City will need to partner with regional, state and federal agencies for beach nourishment activities.
 In cooperation with the Port of San Diego, complete street end improvements for all street ends adjacent to Seacoast Drive.

Bicentennial Triangle
Bicentennial Triangle is an aptly named triangle shaped property formed by the convergence of Palm Avenue, Old Palm Avenue and 7th Street. The public space was recognized in commemoration of the United States bicentennial in 1976. The Bicentennial Triangle was recently renovated in 2018 with water efficient landscaping. The area includes a walking path, bench seating, prominent flagpole, public art, and historic monument sign that displays the official City seal. The Palm Ave Master Plan includes a future transit stop that will serve as the hub for the Palm Ave commercial area. The Bicentennial Triangle has been identified as a location for the placement of an electronic community bulletin board.

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Vision: The Bicentennial Triangle will continue to be an aesthetically pleasing area in a high visibility location in the City of Imperial Beach. The location will become an even more important element of the community as the city proceeds with the implementation of the Palm Ave Master Plan. As the intersection of a primary road into and out of the City, the primary route to the beachfront, and the largest commercial center in Imperial Beach, the Bicentennial Triangle will be beautifully landscaped, contain public art, and amenities for passive recreation including benches and walking areas.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Install a new electronic bulletin board that will be used to inform residents and visitors of emergency situations, upcoming events, and other important announcements.  Placement of an additional piece of public art in a highly visible location.  Activate the area with seasonal holiday decorations
Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The funding for the electronic community bulletin/message board has been allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received by the City of Imperial Beach. The additional art will be procured by working with the Port of San Diego, the Imperial Beach Arts Bureau, or a private artist. The costs for the art and any necessary display features will likely need to be allocated from the General Fund although staff will explore funding options through grants and arts foundations.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives
 Although the Bicentennial Triangle is not an ideal place for public gatherings or events due to the vehicular dominated environment near the facility, it is important to ensure the space is safe and inviting for residents and visitors in the Triangle. Improved access, attractive seating areas with wind guards and shade, and interesting art will achieve these objectives.  The Bicentennial Triangle is an important element of the Palm Avenue Master Plan. All planning and improvements need to be consistent with the Master Plan and be considered in context with the Master Plan.
 Palm Avenue carries more volume of traffic than any other roadway in the community and is an important part of the City’s transit system. The Bicentennial Triangle should include an attractive bus shelter and desirable spaces for those crossing the street or waiting for transit.

Border to Bayshore Bikeway
In a coordinated effort with multiple partners, an extension of the Bayshore Bikeway to the Mexican border will be installed along the roadways in the eastern portion of the community. This effort presents an opportunity for improved safety of non-motorized transportation, but the aesthetic and economic opportunities must not be missed. Much like the Bayshore Bikeway was used as a catalyst to create Bikeway Village, the Border to Bayshore Bikeway can be advantageous to the business community on 13th Street. However, the City must be intentional in the efforts to capture the riders that traverse between the Mexican border and the Bayshore Bikeway.

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Vision: It is only about 15 miles from downtown San Diego to the Mexican border and it is very reasonable to traverse that distance on a bicycle. Promotion of the extension and having attractive businesses along the route, especially those in Imperial Beach will benefit the City. The route should be attractive and safe, and cyclists should feel welcome in the City. New regional developments such as the Chula Vista Bayfront and Bikeway Village will increase the interest and use of the Bayshore Bikeway.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Attention must be paid to every detail of the proposed bicycle facility. The City of Imperial Beach must demand safety and aesthetic improvements that benefit the City. Staff will review the plans for the facility and provide feedback to the City Council. If it is determined that the proponents of the expanded bikeway fail to install the bikeway in a manner that does not benefit the community, staff will engage with the City Council immediately.
 Staff will meet with the owners of the commercial centers along 13th Street and inform them of the potential of the expanded bikeway to ensure they have an opportunity to take advantage of the regional facility.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with ensuring the proposed expansion of the bikeway are nominal and will be included in annual work programs.

Borderfield State Park
Although the City of Imperial Beach is fortunate to have a State Park within its municipal borders, the City realizes very little benefit from this circumstance. For decades there has been an erosion of the use of the park with excuses such as border security, coastal flooding of the roadway, and other unacceptable reasons for the State Park being closed a majority of the time. Nowhere else in the State is a State Park so neglected that it cannot be accessed. Even on the few days the State Park is open, the grounds are in disrepair with overgrown areas of weeds and a complete lack of maintenance. The State Park is an amazing resource with beautiful views, a positive view of the Mexican/United States international border, and a County operated campground near the entrance to the State Park.

Vision: Working with Customs and Border Patrol, the County of San Diego, the City of San Diego and other interested parties, the Borderfield State Park will fulfill its intended purpose of preserving and providing access to one of the most beautiful locations on earth. This area was preserved for many reasons, but not be locked up and operated in a state of disrepair. The future of the Park will be a destination for residents and visitors seeking a naturally preserved coastline in the middle of a mega-metropolitan, international population center. 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

Staff will begin working with the interested parties at the Federal and State level to explore what needs to be done to have the State Park open and operating on a daily basis. Access and regular visitation to such a beautiful area can help increase the knowledge level and action to improve the water quality and reduction in debris in the Tijuana River Valley.

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Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with the initial discussions are nominal and will be included in annual work programs.

Dunes Park
Dunes Park is located immediately adjacent to the beach west of Seacoast Drive, northwest of the intersection of Daisy Avenue and Seacoast Drive. The Pier South Hotel is adjacent to the park on the south and a residential
condominium complex is on the north side of the park.

The proximity to the beach and the Pier South Hotel
makes the park a popular location for both locals and
visitors. On-site parking and proximity to the beach allows Dunes Park to be a good location for public accessibility to the beachfront. Although it is relatively small, the park offers a lot of amenities including public restrooms and handicapped parking. There is an outdoor fitness gym, a playground, basketball court and picnic facilities in the park. Because there are residential dwellings immediately north of the park, holding amplified organized activities is very challenging at Dunes Park. The Park is sometimes referred to as “Dolphin Park” because of a sculpture of a pod of dolphins displayed at the park. The artwork, like much of the art in the community, is on loan from the Port of San Diego.

Vision: Dunes Park is the location near the beach where residents and visitors can relax and enjoy the facilities without being displaced by the more formal events that are often held at Pier Plaza. The park is a safe and clean location where people eating at local restaurants, staying in hotels and spending the day at the beach can interact with long-time residents and enjoy all that Imperial Beach has to offer. There is parking and access to the beach, restrooms, and amenities that make Dunes Park a destination in the community. The park supports the efforts of local businesses and is not a deterrent from the safe and clean environment in Imperial Beach. 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Additional safety lighting needs to be installed at Dunes Park. The placement of the lighting is critical and consideration of the hotel and the residential units adjacent to the park will be important.  There are showers at the restroom in Dunes Park, but a separate feet and equipment washing station better designed to capture and remove sand would be an improvement to the park.  The drinking fountain in the park needs to be upgraded to a full hydration station that will encourage beach goers to use refillable containers near the beachfront.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Maintenance and improvements in Dunes Park are a collaborative effort between the Port of San Diego and the City of Imperial Beach. It is possible to seek funding from the Port of San Diego, but any projects and maintenance not funded from the Port will need to be funded from the City’s General Fund.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

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 The restroom facilities in the park need to be updated, and possibly relocated for safety purposes. The current location of the restrooms creates an area of the park, the basketball court, that is blocked from view of the street. In relation to the physical facility, the restrooms and shower facility need to be completely updated.

Eastside Park
At the current time, there is not a City Park in the eastern portion of the community. It is critical that this situation be addressed so that residents in in the eastern portion of the City can have attractive public amenities in their area. Staff has initiated discussions with the South Bay Union School District, and other options need to be explored as well.

Vision: A park that serves as a gathering space and enhances the life experiences in District 4 will be constructed for the enjoyment of the residents. The park will include amenities that serve the community such as a playground, hydration station, and restroom facilities.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

Staff will conclude discussions with the South Bay Union School District regarding the creation of a joint use park at Oneonta School. Concurrently, staff will explore and identify options for an additional park space in the eastern portion of the community.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with the initial discussions are nominal and will be included in annual work programs.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

A park on the east side of the Community will require significant funding. It is important to begin seeking that funding immediately because it often takes many years to secure funding for park improvements.

Imperial Beach Sports Park
The Imperial Beach Sports Park is a heavily used facility that is the center of the sports programs in Imperial Beach.

The Little League and Girls Softball Leagues operate very successful programs. The skatepark and basketball court complement the playground and picnic area making the facility family friendly for all members of the family. The most challenging area of the Sports Park is the indoor recreation facility which is in poor condition, but there are plans underway to update the facility.

Vision: The Sports Park is home to the active recreation programs in Imperial Beach where youth and adult programs are conducted at firstrate facilities and residents in other communities are impressed when they participate or being their children to participate in competitive sports at the Sports Park. The wide variety of activities are held in harmony with a safe and vibrant atmosphere. Parents can bring the whole family and while one child play little league, another participates in softball and yet another spends the afternoon at the skatepark; all while the car charges at the electric car charging station. The Sports Park has something for everyone.

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1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 A complete remodel and update of the Recreation Center at the Sports Park will result in a new floor in the gymnasium, new restroom facilities, the installation of a ventilation system, office space, new roof, and other amenities. The facility should also be evaluated for the installation of solar.  The outdoor area of the Sports Park will be updated to include a multi-use sports court that can accommodate tennis and pickleball, completion of the unfinished area to expand the skatepark, and other similar improvements.
 There is an immediate need for increased security and noise mitigation. Improved lighting, security cameras, and the introduction of the new Park Ranger program will result in a safer environment. Noise mitigation measures and safety improvements, specifically for the skatepark will be included in the more comprehensive update.
 The circulation plan for vehicles and pedestrians using the alley adjacent to the skate park and ball fields needs to be evaluated and solutions implemented that beautify the area and improve safety.  Additional open access to the existing ballfields for additional recreation programs and community use when not in use by leagues will be explored.
 The current restrooms are aged and in poor condition. The restrooms need to be completely remodeled or replaced.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Funding for the 1-6 year strategy has been identified through use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and donations from private business. If additional funding is necessary, there is funding in the Parks Impact Fee account that can be used or the City Council can allocate funding from the General Fund of the City including Measure I revenue or the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:
 The lighting facilities at the Little League and Girls Softball fields are in need of replacement and upgrades.

The project will require several hundred thousand dollars and staff is seeking outside funding to address this issue. In the short-term, staff will continue to maintain the existing lighting to the extent possible.  The irrigation system in the entire park needs to be replaced and updated. This will be both an expensive and disruptive project and there will need to be a lot of coordination with the users of the facilities.  In order to significantly increase the use of the fields, the grass in the softball field will need to be replaced with artificial turf.
 Ongoing amenity improvements such as batting cages, climbing walls, exercise equipment and similar facilities must be explored at all times.
 Any major improvements to the park area or ball fields should include the replacement of the deteriorated corrugated metal storm drain system in the park.
 Replace or renovate of the outdoor park restroom.
 To allow more consistent use and reduce water consumption and maintenance, the current ball fields should be converted to artificial turf.

Mar Vista High School Pool

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The Sweetwater Union High School District is rebuilding and expanding the swimming pool facility at Mar Vista High School. The City was asked to work collaboratively with the District to close the funding gap and was able to coordinate with District officials to secure approximately $2 million for the facility. From the onset, the District has been committed to allowing some level of public access to the pool for recreational and instructional swimming. The City of Imperial Beach and the Sweetwater Union High School District are conducting discussions about joint use opportunities for the pool to include swimming lessons for elementary aged children and open swim for the public.

Vision: The swimming pool at Mar Vista High School is a model for a variety of joint efforts to improve the educational and recreational facilities in the community. The pool allows the high school to be competitive in swimming, diving, and polo at the State level, while being an asset to the residents of Imperial Beach by allowing public swimming and lessons. More importantly, using the joint use agreements created for use of the pool will allow the City and the District to expand programs for students and the community by utilizing other facilities owned and operated by each entity.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

An agreement outlining public use of the District facility will be completed. The agreement will identify the hours, costs, and regulations for using the pool. An important element of the agreement will be the resurrection of the elementary school aged swimming lessons in the City.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Public use of the pool will have an associated cost. While some of the costs will be recovered through user fees, it is likely that the City Council will need to allocate funds from the General Fund of the City including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT to satisfy the financial terms of the agreement.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives
The agreement for public use of the pool can be a model for other joint use opportunities. The facility at 170 Palm, the beach areas, the Sports Park, and other City facilities can benefit and enhance the programs sought by the District. Likewise, the District has several facilities that can improve the recreation and education programs of the City.

Portwood Pier Plaza
In many ways, Portwood Pier Plaza is the activity center for the entire community. The iconic Imperial Beach Pier and the most recognizable piece of public art in the City (Surf Henge) are located in or near the plaza. The plaza was built by the Port of San Diego to accommodate events and activate the tidelands area. The plaza is framed by the Dempsey Safety Center that houses the main lifeguard tower and a large indoor assembly space on the south, and a commercial structure owned by the Port of San Diego on the north. The Plaza contains a large grass area that when not being used for activities, becomes a

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gathering place for the community. Most of the large events in the City are located in or originate from Pier Plaza.

Traditionally, on Friday evenings the Imperial Beach Farmer’s Market is held at Pier Plaza.

Vision: Pier Plaza takes its place at one the of the top destinations in San Diego County. A clean and safe environment welcomes all beachgoers to a location designed for exciting events, beach access surrounded by thriving businesses, and an iconic pier, creating everything imagined in “Classic Southern California.” 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 There is a need for additional safety and aesthetic lighting in Pier Plaza. Despite being a true community gathering area, the area is remarkably dark after sunset. There is some aesthetic accent lighting, but there is a need for additional lighting throughout most areas of the plaza.  Because so many people gather at Pier Plaza, there can be conflicting and incompatible uses that occur on occasion. The uses allowed and use of space in the plaza need to be defined and clearly indicated. For instance, walking spaces are often frequented by people on bicycles, skateboards and vendors. Updating and clarifying policies can reduce any potential conflict in this popular meeting place.  The tot-lot playground at Pier Plaza is in need of replacement with new equipment. The Parks and Recreation Committee should evaluate the location and recommend options to City Council for a unique play experience at the beach.
 Some infrastructure improvements are necessary to allow community events to be conducted safely and conveniently. The power sources, water connections, and other infrastructure limitations can impact the success of community events held in the Plaza.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The City of Imperial Beach and the Port of San Diego will need to discuss and address these issues in tandem. Funding for lighting may be considered by the Port, and there may be some grants for which the City is eligible, but if funds are not available from those sources, funding may need to be allocated from the General Fund of the City including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

The infrastructure for special events needs to be improved. The water and power facilities are inadequate for many of the events scheduled in the plaza. The handicapped access and parking is also limited and needs to be expanded to serve specific populations. The current setup for sound, especially amplified sound, is disruptive to the residential dwellings and implementing new sound strategies can result in high quality sound with less interruptions for residents living near the plaza.

Reama Park
Smaller neighborhood parks are an important element in building pride and a sense of place in the City. Reama Park located at Elkwood and Second Street falls into that category. A new playground was just installed in the park and the remainder of the park is primarily open space. Typically, this park is used by local residents rather than beachgoers making it an important location for local residents on the west side of the City.

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Vision: Reama Park is the locals park near the beach where residents can spend time together and enjoy a less busy pace than that found at the beachfront. The park is safe and clean and allows neighbors to get to know each other in an environment dominated by beach goers.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

There are two large underutilized grassy areas at Reama Park. The Parks and Recreation Committee should evaluate options to expand or create new recreation opportunities at the park. Potential ideas include a dog park, special event space, expanded picnic area, or pickle ball courts.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Staff has explored funding for dog park improvements and discovered that there is very little such funding available. Therefore, it is likely that funding for a small dog park will need to be allocated from the General Fund of the City.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

Reama Park is located very close to the ocean which makes maintenance and upkeep challenging. Staff will need to carefully monitor the park, make necessary repairs and replace amenities when necessary. Whenever possible, all public parks should have restroom facilities. The City Council should explore the construction of a restroom in the future.

Rose Teeple Park
Rose Teeple Park is the only City Park located north of Palm Avenue. One of the more popular parks in the City, the park is heavily used by the surrounding neighborhoods and is a true gathering spot for residents in the vicinity, generally north of Palm Avenue (SR 75). The playground equipment in Rose Teeple Park was recently replaced and upgraded and is heavily used. The Parks and Recreation Department has concentrated on this Park by holding several outreach events. It is so important to make sure this area is well-maintained and safe. There have been concerns about homelessness in the Park despite it being such a popular location for youth in the neighborhood.

Vision: Teeple Park will be an important community gathering area for the northern neighborhoods in Imperial Beach. The park will serve some of the recreational needs of the neighborhood but will also allow residents to meet and engage in community life. The park will be a safe, well-maintained area where everyone feels comfortable and there are amenities for all ages and abilities. 1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 Teeple Park must be a safe and inviting space. The park should be examined for elements of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to ensure the park is a safe as possible. Additional lighting, security cameras, and other improvements can enhance user safety while also expanding the ability to use the park in the evening hours after working parents have returned home. A safety plan will be developed with cooperation and coordination between residents and the Parks and Recreation Committee followed by presented to the City Council for adoption and action.

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 Except for the playground equipment, open grass area, and a couple of picnic tables, there are very few amenities in Teeple Park. The perimeter landscaping is also outdated and overgrown. A plan to install additional amenities in the park and maximize useable area will be created by the Parks and Recreation Committee for consideration by the City Council. Ideas such as outdoor game tables, pickleball courts, exercise equipment, new water efficient landscaping, and other features that are appropriate in this relatively small space will be explored.
 Because Teeple Park serves a large portion of the City, a concerted effort to improve accessibility for all ages and abilities will be explored by staff.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: Although there are some grants available to complete these tasks, they are competitive in nature and funding sources have less funding to provide. Therefore, most of the costs associated with the 1-6 year strategy will need to be included in the budget process for allocation from the General Fund including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT. Staff will be directed to seek grant funding and explore various other outside funding opportunities.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives:

Because Teeple Park serves as a community gathering area for a large area, especially for younger children, it is appropriate to construct restroom facilities in the park. This is a very expensive endeavor and will likely require outside funding. Staff will explore funding opportunities and keep the restroom facilities in Teeple Park in mind when applying for competitive grants.

Tijuana River Estuary (Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve) The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is a partnership between the United States and the State of California that links the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California State Parks, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The California State Parks operates the Visitor Center and maintains the Border Field State Park and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. The two agencies cooperate to manage the Reserve’s natural resources while furthering the educational and interpretive programs. The City of Imperial Beach, along with other regional agencies and local municipalities share management responsibilities through participation in the Reserve’s Advisory Council. The estuary is a world class conservation area that is under-utilized and under-appreciated in Imperial Beach. There is an assortment of very nice walking trails, a visitor’s center, restrooms, educational facilities, and a parking lot. The estuary is home to a variety of wildlife, especially birds, with several endangered species making their home in Imperial Beach.

Vision: The Tijuana Estuary will be a world class eco-tourism destination with visitors coming from across the globe to experience this environmental gem located on the international border. Once viewed as missed opportunities, the open spaces and environmental interest in the estuary will become both an economic engine for the City and an amenity that allows the City to maintain its small-town atmosphere as two very large cities (San Diego and Tijuana) continue to grow around Imperial Beach.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):

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 Staff will take the steps necessary to solidify and expand the relationships with the stewards of the estuary. This will allow the expansion of programs such as walking tours, bird watching, education and history opportunities, stewardship programs, and the promotion of eco-tourism.  Staff will work with the stewards of the estuary and the two school districts in the community to create enhanced educations opportunities.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: The costs associated with proposed efforts in the Tijuana Estuary are nominal and will be included in annual work programs.

Veterans Park
Veterans Park is centrally located in the heart of the City. The Imperial Beach Civic Center, the Senior Center, the Imperial Beach branch of the San Diego County Library and the Boys & Girls Club facility are all located within or immediately adjacent to the Park. The Park has something for everyone in the community including a nice walking path with a walking history of the area, a performance rotunda, recently renovated restrooms, a playground with a planned splash pad, a soccer field, a dog park and other features such as a tribute to Naval Canine Units. As a military community, Veterans Park is more than just another open space. It celebrates and memorializes the sacrifices of those who have served their country with honor which makes this space almost sacred for residents and visitors. The rotunda contains several dozen commemoration bricks purchased by residents and visitors in memory of loved ones. At times, there are concerns about homelessness and vagrancy at the park which is important to recognize and address.

Vision: Veterans Park will be a safe and attractive gathering area for everyone in the City. The commemoration of veterans who have served their Country is the ideal purpose for an area that allows residents to enjoy the very best of living in Imperial Beach. The park will be comfortable, clean and an exemplary space for residents and visitors in the City. The Senior Center will be updated to compliment the new library and a Veterans Memorial to honor all who served will be added.
1-6 Year Strategy (completion prior to December 31, 2027):
 The existing playground equipment at Veterans Park is aged and in poor condition. The playground and the surface below the equipment are in need of replacement. At least a portion of the new equipment should be accessible to persons with disabilities. The layout and configuration of the equipment will be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Committee to obtain recommendations and suggestions.  Enhancing the facilities in Veterans Park to be more attractive is an important element of keeping the park relevant to the entire community. A safe and fun splash pad will be an attraction to Veterans Park that isn’t practical in most of the other parks.
 New exercise equipment, primarily designed for older adult and senior users will be installed in strategic locations in Veterans Park. The equipment will form an exercise cycle that can be used to promote healthy lifestyles.

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 After many years of use, the turf at soccer field is very work and needs to be replaced. In addition to turf replacement, lights will be installed to allow use of the field in the evening hours. The lights will be installed with consideration given to the adjacent property owners.  The central location of Veterans Park near the center of the community and adjacent to City Hall makes it an excellent location to provide vital information to the community. A new electronic message board will be installed in Veterans Park to improve outreach efforts.

Funding Options for 1-6 Year Strategy: In large part, the funding for the projects in Veterans Park has been identified. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), private donations, and other budgeted expenses. If there are shortfalls in the funding, there is funding from the Parks Impact Fee available and if necessary, the City Council can allocate funds from the General Fund of the City including revenue from Measure I and the potential increase in TOT.

Longer-Term Goals and Objectives
 The Imperial Beach Senior Center is an important amenity for the community and is in very poor condition.

The Center needs to be completely rebuilt and the improvements will cost several million dollars. Staff has sought funding through grants and private sources but have thus far been unsuccessful. Staff will continue to explore funding options, but the reconstruction of the Senior Center is likely a longer-term goal. One option staff may consider is adding a prefab or modular classroom to expand programming at the Senior Center as funding options are considered.
 The irrigation system in Veterans Park has been installed and modified in a piecemeal manner and the park lacks a comprehensive and efficient irrigation system. The water mainline, sprinklers, and drainage system needs a complete overhaul. Staff will prepare a plan for the park in the near future but funding the replacement of the system will be a future endeavor.  The storm drain system in the park including the deteriorated corrugated metal system is in need of replacement and modernization. Improved storm water drainage and retention at the park will improve drainage and nuisance flooding of adjacent areas around the park.  Lighting in the park need to be evaluated for safety and modernized for energy efficiency. The existing bollard lights should be replaced with energy efficient LEDs and additional lighting installed where needed.  The rotunda in Veterans Park is the public gathering area of the park. The structure is in poor condition and will need to be replaced in the future. It will be complicated by the inclusion of memorial bricks that have been placed on the performance platform of the rotunda.