In my last blog post, I talked about some of the challenges and growth pressures coastal communities are facing. Within 10 years, the coastal population is expected to grow by 12 million people—or by 3,600 people per day. This growth poses unique opportunities—and challenges—to coastal communities. The issue facing these communities becomes one of balance: how to maximize the opportunities waterfront development can provide to a community and, at the same time, meet the often significant challenges.
Coastal Development
Rejected Developer Keeps Fighting County to Build
Developer Gerald Friedman is incredulous that county commissioners won't let him rezone his property in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The Virginian-Pilot
Township vs. Billionaire
A township of 3,000 people is waging war on a proposal from a billionaire energy magnate that would turn a beloved stretch of Lake Michigan coastline into condos, a hotel, and a golf course.The battle persists, even as town funding has become scarce.
The Wall Street Journal
Newport Beach General Plan
The Newport Beach General Plan had to be approved by voters. The new general plan reduced potential office and industrial capacities by more than four million square feet, instead designating land for 3,000 more housing units than were permitted by the old plan. The plan is an effort to meet the community vision and preserve the unique and beautiful coastal community. City officials won voter approval for the new plan through newsletters, public meetings and study sessions.
Ocean Zoning Moves Forward
Gov. Deval Patrick of Mass. has released a draft zoning plan to regulate the waters off the state's coast, particularly around Cape Cod and Cape Ann.
Gloucester Daily Times
Protecting California's Coastal Development Will Cost Billions
Computer modeling predicts sea levels rising 55 inches by 2100, and a recent report from California's interagency Climate Action Team is calling for a radical reorganization of the state's coastal development and infrastructure to avoid disaster.
Los Angeles Times
Beachfront Brouhaha in Buffalo City
That's Buffalo City, South Africa, where public open space along the coast is being rezoned to business and residential, to the dismay of locals worried about beach access.
Daily Dispatch
Texas Coastlines May Remain Unbuilt
In parts of Texas, state officials and local communities are in a tug-of-war over post-Ike coastline rebuilding efforts.
The Houston Chronicle
Beach Access Blocked By Homeowners
A $5 million project on Long Beach Island to restore the eroding beachfront is stymied by homeowners who don't want to allow easements through their property.
NJ.com
Home, Sweet Clam Shack
In Newburyport, Mass., critics tried to stop Mark Roland from converting an historic clam shack into a home. Roland claims: 'It's recycling.'
The Boston Globe
A Small Town From Scratch
Developer Casey Roloff has built an ambitious new community on the Washington coast with New Urbanist ideas and a Northwest flavor.
The News Tribune
The New Global Warming Pariahs - Pushing Adaptation and Land Use Changes
Is CO2 buildup responsible for the enormous hurricane damage, or is it overdevelopment? Should we be spending so much attempting to reduce carbon emissions, or could it be better spent reducing problems that will be exacerbated by global warming?
The Los Angeles Times
Who’s Watching the Beach?
Wed, 05/02/2007 - 08:34
It’s not just those buff lifeguards. Most coastal and Great Lakes states have a coastal zone management program. And not only are the coastal zone managers watching the beach, they are watching what’s being built in their communities. In fact, in recent interviews of coastal zone managers, 56 out of 58 said growth was the top pressure on coastal resources in their state.
