Page updated: July 28, 2028
The City Engineer has accepted Coastal Development Permit (CDP) Application No. 26-004-BE for the Sunken City Safety Fencing project (Project).
Project Information
The Project is located in the dual permit jurisdiction area of the Coastal Zone. The fence would be aligned along the coastal bluff at the ends of Pacific Avenue and Gaffey Street, adjacent to the eastern portion of Point Fermin Park, in the San Pedro Community Plan Area of the City of Los Angeles. See Figure below.
The Project involves installing permanent safety fencing, between 4-6 feet tall. Fence posts would be embedded in concrete footings approximately 10 feet from the cliff edge, as per geotechnical recommendations. Warning signs would be affixed to the fencing at regular intervals. Up to three personnel gates would be installed along the fence to allow access for emergency responders and maintenance staff; these gates are not intended to allow pedestrian access to the bottom of the cliff. The installation process would entail excavating or augering for the required footing size and depth, pouring concrete footings, setting posts, and then installing the fencing material. The fence would require approximate 45 footings, 66-inches deep and 12-inches in diameter.
The Project would allow for the area north of the new fence up to the existing 8-foot wrought iron fence to become a new public access area. There would be entrance/exit to the area from the gate at the terminal end of W Paseo Del Mar. There would be no ability to walk through the new public access area from W Paseo Del Mar to Pacific Avenue. The new public access area will be open for passive recreation similar to other grassy areas in city parks. Existing abandoned foundation walls of homes demolished decades ago, standing 3 feet high, will remain untouched. These walls are located between 15 feet (at their closest) and 150 feet (at their furthest) from the proposed fence. The abandoned asphalt street paving, which covers a portion of the western site area, will be directly affected by excavation and fence post installation where it approaches the cliff edge.
The primary goal of this project is to enhance safety along the cliff edge, thereby mitigating the risk of falls. Additionally, it aims to curb foot traffic to lower levels of the cliffside, which will help reduce erosion there and deter unauthorized individuals from engaging in unsafe activities on the cliffside.
California Environmental Quality Act - Notice of Exemption
The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to:
- State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303
- Los Angeles CEQA Guidelines Article III, Section 1 Class 3
The proposed project is exempt from CEQA for the construction and location of a limited number of new small structures because the project consists of installation of a new fence within the City’s property.
Coastal Act - Coastal Development Permit Application
The City Engineer has accepted Coastal Development Permit (CDP) Application No. 26-004-BE for the Project.
HEARING INFORMATION: A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM and to be held via Zoom webinar for the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) Application No. CDP-26-004-BE for the Project. The purpose of the CDP hearing is to solicit input regarding the CDP for the Project and to take formal testimony from the community regarding issues pertaining to policies of the California Coastal Act.
Please use the link below to join the webinar:
Topic: Sunken City Safety Fencing Local CDP No. 26-004-BE Public Hearing
Date: September 3, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM Pacific T
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Meeting ID: 845 4244 3860
Passcode: 325325
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PUBLIC COMMENT: Interested people and attendees may speak or submit written information during this virtual hearing. All written comments must be received on or before 4:00 PM on September 10, 2026, to be considered, prior to a decision on the case being made. Written comments should be sent by email to Lauren.Rhodes@lacity.org, or mailed to:
City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Bureau of Engineering, Environmental Management Division
ATTN: Lauren Rhodes, Environmental Supervisor
1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Mail Stop 939
Los Angeles, CA 90015-2213
The application, exhibits and other information relating to the case are available for your review at 1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90015-2213 in the Environmental Management Division. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Rhodes at (213) 485-5733 or Lauren.Rhodes@lacity.org
