Plain English Breakdown
The effective date of this law is not listed in the provided metadata, though it has passed the Legislature.
Santa Monica Coastal Plan and Roadway Conversion Rules
This law requires Santa Monica to submit a new coastal plan by January 2029, sets deadlines for the state commission to review it, and creates simplified rules or permit waivers for converting car lanes into bike, transit, or walk paths if they improve public access.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the City of Santa Monica to submit a proposed complete local coastal program by January 1, 2029.
- Sets a deadline for the commission to act on the city's plan within six months unless an extension is requested.
- Allows amendments to convert road lanes into bike, transit, or walk paths to use simplified 'de minimus' procedures if the executive director determines they improve public access.
- Waives coastal development permit requirements entirely for converting non-state highway road lanes into bike, transit, or walk paths if the executive director determines they improve public access.
- Requires the commission to report annually until December 31, 2032, on the number of applications received for these roadway conversions.
Who It Names or Affects
- The City of Santa Monica
- The California Coastal Commission and its executive director
- Local governments proposing to convert road lanes into bike, transit, or pedestrian paths
Terms To Know
- local coastal program
- A plan created by a city that sets rules for building and development in the area near the ocean.
- coastal development permit
- Official approval required from the state commission before construction can happen in coastal areas, unless waived or simplified under specific conditions.
- de minimus amendment
- A simplified process for making small changes to a local plan that does not require full review procedures.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill sets deadlines but does not specify penalties if the city misses its January 2029 submission date.
- Reimbursement for costs depends on whether the Commission on State Mandates decides the state created new expenses.