CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad Planning Commission unanimously approved plans to repair a Terramar beach access staircase on Wednesday night, citing public safety concerns over its deteriorating condition.
According to city staff, the stairway connecting the Terramar community to South Carlsbad State Beach has sustained significant structural damage due to years of wave action. This erosion has created unsafe conditions, including sea caves, and caused portions of the lower structure to collapse over the past year.
“It’s just a matter of time before the stairway collapses,” said project engineer Walt Crampton. “These treads are dangerous … and it’s just a matter of time before many people get hurt.”
The project involves replacing rusted handrails with stainless steel ones, repairing steps, backfilling sea caves with erodible concrete, constructing a shotcrete wall for stabilization and enhancing drainage systems.
The reinforced wall will be textured and colored to blend with the surrounding coastal bluff. The repair work is expected to be completed in 2-3 months, but a Right of Entry Permit from State Parks will be required before work can begin.
During construction, small excavators, jackhammers and a crane will be stored on California State Parks property. After the project, the staging area will be reseeded with native plants.
The stairway, built in 1997 on a coastal bluff property at 5327 Carlsbad Boulevard, is the only public access point to the beach within the Terramar area.
“This particular stairway is a critical means for providing public access,” said Commissioner Joseph Stine. “In fact, the only means for about a mile for people that [want] to enjoy the beach.”
The project faced jurisdictional challenges, as the California Coastal Commission argued it fell under its purview. However, multiple surveys conducted by licensed land surveyors determined that the stairway lies within the city’s jurisdiction.
To address potential impacts on beach sand supply, the project includes a mitigation plan requiring either the placement of 85.1 cubic yards of sand on a nearby beach or payment of a sand mitigation fee. The fee was estimated to total “just over $5,000,” according to city staff.
The commission approved the project unanimously, with two commissioners absent, underscoring its alignment with public access goals under the California Coastal Act. Construction is expected to proceed following necessary permitting approvals.
“We’ve seen by the photographs … substantial deterioration,” Stine said, referencing images documenting erosion over the past year. “This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed ASAP.”
