Although the effect of the city’s Local Coastal Plan (LCP) dispute with the California Coastal Commission on some residents is well known, what is not as talked about are several public works projects that are affected as well. As it stands now, at least one project is delayed because of the inability to get coastal permits, and several more could be delayed if the path is not cleared before early next year.
Phase One of the Las Flores Park Improvement Project is set to go. The full project includes re-grading, installing new landscaping and fencing, and the creation of a decomposed granite walkway. Also included in the planned project are improvements to Las Flores Creek by providing better drainage in the area and preventing further erosion of the stream banks. But the project, which was supposed to get started this spring, is delayed until the city can get a coastal permit.
“We’re assuming all the issues would be settled by January of next year,” Acting City Engineer Claudio Sanchez said. “So the projects needing coastal permits for that time should not be delayed.”
Those projects include the Big Rock Storm Drainage Project, which is supposed to improve drainage and prevent erosion on Big Rock Drive. Also, the Civic Center Stormwater Treatment Facility, which will receive runoff from Civic Center Way, Cross Creek Road and Malibu Road storm drains, is also set for construction next year. The water that is pumped to the facility will be treated, and then discharged into Malibu Creek through the Civic Center drain. Although other permits are being sought now, the treatment facility will also require a coastal permit.
There are other public works projects in process right now or scheduled to begin in the near future that do not require coastal permits, including the annual street resurfacing project, which began on Monday and will continue for about the next couple of months. This includes putting a new layer of asphalt on various streets throughout the city, including Webb Way south of Pacific Coast Highway, Zumirez Drive, Canyon Dume Road and Lanita Road.
The annual project became significant this year when it was factored into the city budget. In the past, the Traffic Safety Fund has been used to finance the program, but it is almost out of money. This year, $450,000 of general fund money was used to finance it, requiring other cuts to be made in the city’s budget.
Also coming up in September is the Malibu Road Drainage Project. This involves the replacement of curbs and gutters and a portion of the street pavement on Malibu Road. Sanchez said that should take about a month to complete.