(Image Credit: IMAGN) The house where the ABC series "The Bachelor" is filmed survived Woolsey Fire which burned down a nearby house on the property. Xxx Malibu Fire283 Jpg Usa Ca
San Diego, California – San Diego is currently evaluating an emergency coastal development permit for a project aimed at stabilizing a rapidly eroding bluff beneath a private residence in La Jolla. The proposed stabilization effort, funded entirely by the homeowner, involves the construction of a reinforced concrete wall along the cliffside on Calumet Avenue.
The situation has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges of coastal erosion and the risks associated with building on unstable bluffs. Local geologist Pat Abbott, PhD, from San Diego State University’s Geology Department, offered his perspective, stating that the current predicament is not entirely unforeseen. “This isn’t just mother nature hitting an innocent home buyer,” Abbott explained. “Their predecessors basically built the house on top of an unstable foundation and now a price is being paid.”
If the city approves the emergency permit, the stabilization project will employ a reinforced concrete wall with tie-back anchors, a common method used to reinforce eroding bluffs in other coastal areas of San Diego, including Bird Rock, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. This approach aims to secure the existing rock face and prevent further erosion that threatens the structural integrity of the home.
The proposed intervention follows a precedent set by a similar reinforcement project completed on another Calumet Avenue property last year, highlighting the increasing frequency of such stabilization efforts in the region. Abbott cautioned homeowners against building too close to the edge of bluffs, emphasizing the importance of adequate setbacks. “There is a natural tendency for people to push their houses as close to the cliff as possible to make the view of the ocean that much better,” Abbott said. “You always want to have a larger setback. Don’t get that close; no cliff is stable forever.”
The instability of the bluff is evident, with a sign reading “Unstable Bluff” prominently displayed near the affected property. The homeowner was unavailable for comment, and the city’s decision on the emergency permit remains pending.
Coastal erosion poses a persistent threat to oceanfront properties, and this case underscores the delicate balance between maximizing scenic views and ensuring long-term safety. The increasing frequency of stabilization projects along San Diego’s coastline reflects the growing urgency to address the impacts of natural erosion processes and the challenges of coastal development. As climate change exacerbates sea-level rise and intensifies storm events, homeowners and city planners face mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions that protect both property and the natural environment.
