Governor Gavin Newsom is reportedly backing a bill that would exempt a specific Santa Monica coastal development project from standard regulatory review, according to news reports and advocates. This legislative effort comes as California approaches the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act in 2026, a landmark law designed to ensure public access, conservation, and thoughtful development along the state’s extensive coastline.
The project in question is from a Worthe company, situated near the beach in Santa Monica. It has been proposed for some time and has generated controversy, with past plans including a luxury hotel, apartments, and a Frank Gehry museum. While the Coastal Commission previously approved the project, the permit eventually expired after the developer opted not to proceed at the time. CalMatters has reported that Jeff Worthe, along with his wife, Kristin Worthe, donated over $274,000 to Newsom’s campaigns and inaugural fund between 2018 and 2022.
The proposed bill, which does not explicitly name the project but is understood to apply to the Worthe site, states that a new development there would not be subject to the Coastal Commission’s usual review process. This exemption would apply if Santa Monica fails to complete an “arduous local coastal plan (LCP)” by 2028. Critics suggest this deadline could be difficult for the city to meet, potentially allowing the project to circumvent the critical review mandated by the Coastal Act.
Susan Jordan, who directs the California Coastal Protection Network, expressed her dismay over the governor’s actions. “You don’t expect to have a governor do something so under-handed as this,” Jordan said, noting that Newsom would be the first governor to carve out such an exemption from the Coastal Act. Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) also voiced strong opposition, labeling it a “terrible proposal” and a “Coastal Act exemption,” and stated he has communicated his objections to the Governor and legislative leadership.
Governor Newsom has so far declined to comment on the pending bill. Critics, including Jordan, question why a project would require a free pass from established regulations, arguing that any development in the coastal zone should adhere to the Coastal Act’s processes. The current legislative session is nearing its end, with efforts to push the bill through in its final days.
This move has raised concerns about the precedent it could establish, with some wondering if other developers, particularly those who are significant campaign donors, might seek similar exemptions in the future. The effort to modify coastal protections follows a previous Trump administration order for a review of California’s coastal management, which also drew considerable public protest.
