New Climate Change Guidelines Will Impact Bay Area Development

Recognizing the inevitability of sea level rise and vulnerability of much of the Bay Area, the region has adopted the first climate adaptation rules in the nation. Building along the shores of S.F. Bay remains possible.

1 minute read

October 8, 2011, 11:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"New developments on the shores of San Francisco Bay won't be approved unless they offer economic or environmental benefits that outweigh the cost of protecting against rising seas, under rules adopted (Oct. 6) by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission."

The new rules carry significant implications for a controversial 12,000-home, mixed-use development proposed on 1,435 acres of Cargill salt flats (where salt was harvested) along the Redwood City bay front known as the Redwood City Saltworks.

"We believe that the version adopted today removed the impediments to proactive collaboration on sea-level rise," DMB Associates (and Saltworks developer) Vice President David Smith said. "Our concerns with the earlier versions of the amendments were that they established prohibitions and presumptions that would have thwarted solutions."

At the same time, the new regulations appeared to please the main opponent to the Saltworks project, the environmental group Save the Bay.

From Save the Bay Blog: A Vote For Smart Policies: "With yesterday's vote, BCDC's Bay Plan now discourages new development in undeveloped areas vulnerable to rising seas, and encourages tidal wetland restoration instead. BCDC is now the first state agency implementing California's Climate Adaptation Strategy on sea level rise", blogged Executive Director David Lewis.

Thanks to Gita Dev

Friday, October 7, 2011 in The Bay Citizen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing