Supported by city voters through the passing of Proposition K in November, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the permanent closing of San Francisco’s Upper Great Highway on Thursday.
At its last three-day monthly meeting of 2024, held in Newport Beach at the Newport Beach Civic Center, the commission decided to allow the city to proceed with its plan to block the beachfront route to traffic seven days a week and eventually replace it with a park.
Commissioners by Zoom were informed by Brian Stokle, a planner with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, that the closure might take place as early as spring, following the installation of fence and habitat signage and the completion of preliminary dune restoration work.
The closure will build on a pilot program that was started in 2022 and closed the Upper Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard on weekends and holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Opponents of the closure had one more opportunity to challenge it, both in person and by Zoom, since the Coastal Commission’s permission was required to implement the closure, which was approved by voters by a roughly 10-point margin.The Lower Great Highway will become the primary north-south highway in the area, and several inhabitants of the Richmond District north of the Upper Great Highway opposed its closure, claiming that traffic would be worse there.
They also took issue with the fact that the western population of the city were against the closure. According to data from the San Francisco Department of Elections, just roughly 36 percent of voters supported Prop. K in supervisorial districts 1 and 4, which make up the Richmond and Sunset Districts, respectively.
Following a quick staff presentation on the highway’s closure, supporters also showed up to restate the reasons why the Commission should approve the plan, resulting in a public comment period that lasted more than an hour.
Matt Boschetto, a San Francisco resident who founded a P.A. group against Prop. K and lost his bid for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the November election, traveled to Newport Beach to give a speech.
Even though the proposal did not specify the specifics of the proposed leisure area, he asked whether the city had previously developed a plan for its use and advised the Commission to use “restraint” when approving the closure.
“We’ve got to make sure that it actually does provide access, it actually does restore the dunes, it actually will result in what you guys are promising to promote through the Coastal Act,” he stated.
Friends of Great Highway Park, the organization that backed Prop. K, applauded the ruling. It stated that beginning in the spring, public feedback will be gathered to create long-term plans for the park and leisure area.
Lucas Lux, the president of the Friends of Great Highway Park Board, stated in a press release that “the design and creation of the park will be an inclusive and participatory community process, like our city’s other great parks.”
“When the park opens, temporary amenities and artwork will offer a glimpse of possible improvements to the coastal park experience, with opportunities to give feedback on what they want to see from their coastal park over time,” Lux stated.
Another group volunteer, Zach Lipton, traveled to give a speech at the Coastal Commission meeting.
“Voters in San Francisco made it clear last month that this section of our priceless Pacific Coast ought to be turned into a brand-new coastal park. During the public comment time, Lipton stated, “What’s before you today is the last step to make that possible, and show everyone what a world-class urban coastal park looks like.”
According to the city’s original plans, the restricted road will have distinct zones for bikers and pedestrians.
The San Diego Coast representative for the Coastal Commission, Paloma Aguirre, asked if the city intended to set an e-bike speed limit and display it with signage.
According to Stokle, the city had not taken it into account but would as the plan progresses.
City and emergency vehicles will continue to be able to use the road.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.