California's Coastal Commission Battle: Cities vs. Commission

0:00It's April 20, California news today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. California is pushing to dial back the power of the Coastal Commission, that agency guarding the state's 840-mile coastline for 50 years. It kicked off January 12, 2025, when Governor Gavin Newsom dropped executive order in 425, letting folks rebuild homes, and businesses and fire hit Pacific Palisades and Malibu without commission approval. That move sparked a wave of bills in Sacramento. Over two dozen aimed at streamlining or shrinking the commission's role. Most fizzle, but now assembly bill 1740 from Democrat Rick Chavez-Ziber, targets Santa Monica's beach-close areas, called Urban Multi-Model. Communities It would let the city green-might housing, bike lanes, outdoor dining, and event setups without the commission weighing in. Researchers, from developers to bike advocates in cities, say it speeds up smart growth and

1:00built out spots with transit and paths, dodging red tape. For stuff like Olympics prep, critics, including Surfrider Groups, blasted as a direct hit on the 1976 Coastal Act, opening doors for profit-driven projects that could cram public beach access and nicks parking for visitors. The commission already approves most projects and even backtousing reforms last year. New board picks like a real estate developer and pro-housing locals signals shifts toward more bills, even as environmentalists worry about creeping. D-Regillate This battles a toss-up, but if it passes, it could reshape how California balances development and pristine coasts, letting cities call more shots, while the commission sticks to sensitive spots.