PD Recommendation Report Black Sand Beach (PL-SMA-2023-046)

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and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, marine resources, beaches, and controlling development in coastal hazard areas. Coastal Recreational Resources: All proposed improvements will occur on State Land Use (SLU) Urban designated lands, and no improvements are proposed within the entire shoreline frontage of the project site that is within the SLU Conservation District. Portion of the shoreline frontage of the project site managed by the County as part of the Black Sand Beach Park complex of which facility and ground maintenance is conducted by the County Parks and Recreation Department. There are numerous coastal recreational resources that are currently enjoyed by community members and visitors to the area. The beach park allows for camping, fishing, hiking, and includes pavilions for gathering and other recreational uses. The black sand beach is heavily used by visitors and the community for fishing, and beach-type activities. Access to the shoreline is via the county beach park, and the black sand beach area. Lateral shoreline access (access along the shoreline) is open and accessible from many points along the shoreline of the project area. Staff visited the site and were able to traverse the entire shoreline from the most northern end of black sand beach south towards to the Beach Park and beyond. The proposed coastal reserve area will also provide additional cultural and recreational access and will preserve this area of the shoreline for the future. The proposed project will not interfere with the current level of shoreline access in this area, however, the increase in development will ultimately bring more visitors to the shoreline. In order to mitigate the increased foot traffic and visitors to the coastal area the applicant will work to improve the existing infrastructure to accommodate the increase in visitors, as well as providing consistent resource management which has been severely lacking over the past 2 decades. The applicant has already begun improving the parking area that provides access to the Black Sand Beach area, minimizing the current parking scheme which allows vehicles to park next to the pond and on the sandy beach. Based on the proposed development being outside the shoreline area, as well as the dedication of the coastal preservation site, and the improvements to existing infrastructure (i.e., parking), the Planning Department believes the impacts to coastal resources can be mitigated. Additionally, having one entity (landowner) that has the ability to holistically manage the entire project site where -4-