Del Mar’s North Bluff, a 19.3-acre area, is facing erosion concerns that may impact housing development plans. The city needs to build 113 low-income units by 2029, but the bluff’s instability poses a significant challenge.

Erosion Concerns

The North Bluff has been eroding due to climate change, with scientists predicting that the cliff’s edge will retreat significantly by 2100. The city’s own projections show that even under a best-case scenario, a driveway surrounding a mansion on the bluff will be teetering off its edge by 2030.

Despite these concerns, the city is considering upzoning the North Bluff to allow for 20 units per acre, which could accommodate some of the required low-income housing. However, the city’s current zoning only allows for one unit per acre, and any development would need to take into account the bluff’s erosion.

Seaside Ridge Proposal

A proposed 259-unit housing project, known as Seaside Ridge, includes 85 affordable units and has been met with opposition from the city. The project’s developer, Carol Lazier, has argued that the project is safe from bluff collapse, but the city has rejected the application due to concerns over erosion and the need for additional environmental studies.

State agencies require developers to prove that buildings can withstand erosion for 75 years, but the city’s own estimates suggest that the bluff may not be stable enough to support development. The city is now searching for an environmental consultant to assess the bluff’s vulnerability to erosion and determine whether it can accommodate additional housing.

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