Sacramento Report: One Coastal Commissioner’s Take on Developing the Coast

Some people garden or join a pickleball team. 

Chula Vista Councilmember Jose Preciado reviews planning permits and development projects for fun.

This week, I spoke with Preciado, who sits on the powerful California Coastal Commission, about how he understands his role in the influential agency that controls 840 miles of the state’s coastline in order to protect its natural geography and keep it open to the public. The commission’s 12 voting members are appointed by the governor, Assembly Speaker and Senate Rules Committee and most serve four-year terms.

We also discussed what he envisions for its future and how – between juggling gigs as a city councilmember and assistant dean of undergraduate students at San Diego State University – the commission’s monthly meetings manage to feel more like a passion project than a chore.

Below is our conversation, edited for clarity and brevity.

You’ve served in the public sector for a long time, most notably as a board member for San Diego water authorities. What prompted your interest in the California Coastal Commission?

About 20 years ago as a resident of west Chula Vista, I became very interested in the development of the Bayfront and because it had been, my whole life, something that had been walled off. There used to be a lot of Cold War and World War II-type of businesses located there. And there used to be a huge power plant that was the biggest polluter. 

I always knew that that was going to be the biggest, or the most important thing, we needed to get through. And the reason that was the case is that activists that I work with, like the Environmental Health Coalition and even eventually when Steve Padilla, then a councilmember, joined the commission, he made it clear that this was an important obstacle. 

So even though I didn’t understand it or have any idea what it was, I knew that there was a state agency that was involved in the development of the coastline that we were going to have to get through hurdles or bureaucratic processes to approve the Chula Vista Bayfront.

Again, I’m a West Chula Vista councilman. And I strongly believe that the tourism sector is going to be one of the ways we can encourage economic growth in West Chula Vista and find jobs for folks. That’s what prompted my interest in the commission.

So, when I saw that there was an opportunity to apply or be nominated for the coastal commission, I asked my mayor to nominate me. He did, and ultimately I was elected to serve by Speaker Robert Rivas.

Part of my campaign was that I was interested in seeing the coast continue to develop.

How does your experience as a city councilmember and academic administrator inform your work on the commission?

I’ve been working on environmental issues and environmental preservation throughout my political career. First, when I was in Sweetwater Authority protecting our watershed, and then when I was at County Water Authority protecting multiple watersheds and taking care of the environment. So, for me, this wasn’t a really big stretch.

It was just applying this new lens to protecting the environment and staying very aware that a major component is making sure that everyone has access to the coast. And those are really the things that motivated me. 

But it would be disingenuous if I didn’t confirm to you that I joined the commission because I was interested in doing what Steve Padilla did for Chula Vista when he was a commissioner. He helped steward the Gaylord project and then the rest of the development on the Bayfront through the coastal commission, and I said ‘Well, now it’s my turn,’ and I want to see more development occur on the bayfront.

Do you think that perspective – wanting more development along the coast – is shared by other commissioners?

I was appointed at the same time as Supervisor Chris Lucas from Monterey. Just listening to him, I’ve been able to see that we have a keen interest in developing the California coast and developing in such a way where underrepresented communities that live on the coast, and thrive on the coast, have more access.

But I grew up in the Imperial Beach area and in Rosarito Beach. I’m a cross-border citizen. So I’ve always been on the coastline. And, so for me, it’s a very natural thing to use the coast and be around the coast. 

And of course Imperial Beach and our South Bay communities have been greatly impacted, and the coastal commission also has a role to play in correcting the natural disaster we have down there in Imperial Beach.

So when I joined the commission I immediately asked ‘What’s our role?’

The commission has faced scrutiny from Gov. Gavin Newsom and many others for not permitting enough housing or doing it fast enough. Do you think these are fair criticisms?

The Legislature tries to help increase housing and, in many instances, they see the coast as one of the barriers, or that there may be more barriers than in other places to increasing housing densities.

I think it has more to do with the reality that, along the coast, you’re looking at higher price points for available land. You’re looking at a higher price point for the kinds of requirements you might need to do to develop.

Then the environmental sensitivities are different, and, you know, the support for higher densities is different. And so I don’t know if it’s the Coastal Act with its many obligations of protecting the natural resources and creating access for recreation and for other users, that is in conflict.

And I think that a broader view, a more objective view, might suggest that developing on the coast is different than developing in the other areas.

Moves Toward Cheaper Gas and Housing 

Exciting times await at the gas station. For drivers’ pockets, that is. A cheaper blend of gas can now be sold at California pumps thanks to a bill authored by Chula Vista Democratic Assemblymember David Alvarez that was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week. 

Gas prices average $4.55 per gallon statewide this month, among the highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Amid skyrocketing prices, it’s one of many attempts by lawmakers this year to temper the sticker shock – from moving to reopen oil wells in Kern County to pausing a summer gas blend used to reduce air pollution – all of which have received pushback from environmentalists who view the measures as a step backward for the Golden State’s climate-forward reputation.

Another win for Alvarez: The California Coastal Commission will no longer consider certain regulations for new student housing projects near the coastline now that Assembly Bill 357 has been enacted.

As I discussed a few weeks ago, UCSD students and housing advocates joined Alvarez in pushing for the law to help make it easier to build dormitories near the coast by getting rid of some parking requirements.

Bills I’m Watching Still Sitting on the Governor’s Desk

• Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s bill, Senate Bill 92, to stop hotels from using a loophole in affordable housing laws to avoid zoning restrictions.
• Senate Bill 243, Sen. Alex Padilla’s bill to stop AI chatbots from being used as close companions.

Newsom has until the end of the day Monday, Oct. 13, to sign or veto them.

What I’m Reading

Farmers say a supervisor’s sewage efforts cost them their livelihoods, from Voice of San Diego.

Why a government shutdown hurts San Diego more than other California cities, CalMatters reports.

The New York Times explains why Katie Porter went viral over her latest TV interview for the California governor’s race.

Thanks for reading the Sacramento Report. If you have any tips or story ideas for my newsletter, please send them to: nadia@voiceofsandiego.org. 

See ya later! And have a happy holiday weekend.

The post Sacramento Report: One Coastal Commissioner’s Take on Developing the Coast appeared first on Voice of San Diego.