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Christopher Neely’s story on the recent California Coastal Commission appointment repeats an inaccurate idea that environmental advocates oppose increased housing.
We can – and must – build the homes California needs while safeguarding the coast we all love, enjoy and benefit from. In 2024, under former commissioner Justin Cummings’ leadership, the Coastal Commission struck that balance, expediting 86% of permitting decisions, and taking an average of just 23 days to review coastal zone accessory dwelling units (ADUs), while protecting wildlife habitats and coastal access. In April, it approved 2,224 new units of student housing at UC Santa Barbara after just five months of review.
Ill-planned coastal development that destroys or walls off the beach, or puts people in harm’s way by ignoring the rising seas and worsening storms already impacting the Central Coast, is neither sustainable nor legal.
The Coastal Commission’s mandate is clear: promote responsible development that protects the environment and our communities today and for future generations. In recent years, it has risen to this challenge.
Save Our Shores looks forward to working with the commission’s new members to continue upholding this mandate with affordable, well-planned development – supporting long-term community benefits and environmental resilience over short-term gains.
Katie Thompson
Executive director, Save Our Shores