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 City of Solana Beach
Section 3
Shoreline and Coastal Bluff Management Strategies Draft MEIR
Environmental Impact Analyses
Visual Environment of the Study Area
Project Viewshed
The viewshed for the study area is defined as the surrounding geographic area from which the
project is likely to be seen, based upon topographic and land use patterns. The outer viewshed
limit for shoreline and coastal bluff protection is limited and is largely defined by the views from
the beach with some limited views from private residences along the edge of the bluffs.
The eastern limit of the viewshed is the top of the bluffs and the western limit of the viewshed is
the beach below. The city limits of Solana Beach define the north and south limits of the
viewshed. Elevations range from sea level at the beach to approximately 75 feet MSL at the top
of the bluffs. Shoreline and coastal bluff protection is most likely to be seen from beach below
the bluffs. Views of shoreline and bluff protection structures would be limited to potential direct
downward views from the edge of the bluffs toward shoreline and coastal bluff protection
structures such as tops of seawalls, revetments, and gunite covering of the bluff slopes and
sand retention devices such breakwaters, reefs, and groins. Sea plugs and fills would mainly be
visible from the beach.
Landscape Components
One landscape unit has been defined within the project area and surrounding area because of
the uniformity of the topography. This landscape unit is used to describe the existing visual
setting and to analyze impacts on that setting.
Vegetation on the coastal bluffs is dominated by landscape plantings and backyard lawns.
Major viewer groups most likely to see the shoreline and coastal bluff protection structures
would be beach visitors and existing bluff top residents. Viewers from the residences above the
beach would be able to view the tops of seawalls, revetments, and gunite coverings from the
bluff edge looking down toward the beach (refer to Figure 3.6-1).
3.6.2.2 Impact Assessment
Significant Visual Resource Issues
Shoreline and coastal bluff protection measures would require some modification to the existing
shoreline and bluffs in order to provide shoreline and coastal bluff protection. Existing seacaves
would be filled or plugged, and bluff faces would be covered with walls or gunite covering.
Some existing ornamental and native vegetation could be removed. The total armoring of the
coastal bluffs with seawalls or gunite covering could impact the continuity of the natural bluffs
and the surrounding scenic value of the beach area. The armoring of the entire coastal bluffs
with seawalls or gunite covering could visually interrupt the overall natural scale of
Project No. 323530000
Page 3-69
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