Coastal Commission gives green light to five-year project
By Charles M. Kelly
The California Coastal Commission approved the five-year project to repair the Green Pleasure Pier on Wednesday, Aug. 9. This was a Consent Calendar item.
“The City of Avalon is proposing to conduct routine repair and maintenance activities to the Green Pleasure Pier within a five-year period (2023-2028),” according to the Coastal Commission staff report.
“Proposed activities include replacing piles, pile caps, stringers, replace or repair fiberglass and concrete encasements, repair fender piles, rub rails, blocking and attachment hardware; repair or replace handrails and utilities on an as-needed basis; and replace pier decking over the entire length of the pier,” the report said.
“The implementation of the proposed repairs will be done in five main phases,” the report said.
“The first phase of construction, which was approved through Emergency Coastal Development Permit G-5-23-0020 on February 17, 2023, included replacement of four fender piles that were sheared below the water surface and one failing structural pile,” the report said.
“The second phase of construction, which is expected to occur after Labor Day 2023, will include the replacement of 21 piles and three pile caps in critical need of repair; five stringers, and replacement and repair of encasements, pile wrap and hardware,” the report said.
“Phase three includes the replacement of two piles, three pile caps, and repair of encasements, pile wrap and hardware repairs,” the report said.
“Phase four will involve replacement of the decking along the entire length of the pier and other miscellaneous repairs and replacements, and phase five will include general pier maintenance work to occur above water, such as replacing or repairing brackets, blocks, pins or encasement repairs,” the report said.
“Existing utilities located under the pier may be repaired or replaced during these phases depending on location and feasibility,” the report said.
“All piles proposed to be replaced will be installed in the same location, like-for-like,” the report said.
“According to the applicant, due to the age of the pier constructed in 1908, some of the piles may be structurally infeasible to remove,” the report said.
“In the event that a pile is infeasible to remove, the applicant proposes to cut the pile below the scour line of the ocean floor and install a new pile adjacent to the existing pile,” the report said.
“The proposed maintenance work will not necessitate closure of public access to the pier,” the report said.
“When the piles are being driven or repairs are being made, the area around the equipment will be fenced off in a manner that will allow pedestrians to pass by the work area and continue to the end of the pier ,” the report said.
“In order to ensure that impacts to public access and recreation are minimized to the maximum extent possible, work is proposed to occur in phases that will not exceed one month in duration during the non-peak visitor season,” the report said.
