Jose Preciado, a Chula Vista city councilmember and California Coastal Commissioner, has found optimism in the agency’s meticulous review process, which assesses plans for development along the state’s coast to ensure they meet the requirements of the California Coastal Act.

Background

Preciado joined the commission’s 12-member voting board last May, along with Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez and Los Angeles real estate developer Jaime Lee, as part of a new crop of appointees vocal in their support for more development along the coast.

Despite the agency’s reputation for blocking housing on the coast, a recent poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed that 82 percent of adults surveyed think the coastal commission has been mostly good for the environment.

Commission’s Role

Preciado believes that the commission’s role is to balance environmental protections with the need for new development, and he is hopeful that the agency can find a way to do so without sacrificing its commitment to protecting the environment.

The commission has faced challenges in recent years, including a state Supreme Court loss and an impending federal investigation, but Preciado remains optimistic about the agency’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

For example, the commission recently supported a plan to move water pipes near the Saturn Boulevard Tijuana River hotspot to help alleviate the rotten egg smell caused by hydrogen sulfide emissions.

Preciado also pointed to a 448-unit Encinitas apartment complex, which includes 90 units of affordable housing, as an example of the commission’s ability to balance environmental concerns with the need for new development.

Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.