Politics & Government

Rope at Children's Pool to Stay Down, For Now

The ruling on whether a rope barrier should be up year-round to protect the seals was sent back to the San Diego Planning Commission for clarification on Friday.

Judge Lisa Foster not only sent a ruling over a year-round guide rope at Children’s Pool back to the San Diego Planning Commission for clarification, but also strongly urged both seal supporters and beach advocates to resolve the issue with City Council and Planning Commission out of court.

The rope is currently up for five months a year during the seal’s pupping season from December through May. The Animal Protection and Rescue League of San Diego had sued the city, asking Judge Foster to set aside the Planning Commission’s denial of City Council’s decision to allow the rope to be a permanent fixture at the popular beach.

However, Foster ruled there were gaps and a lack of explanation in the Planning Commission’s decision that the request by seal supporters to keep the rope barrier up year-round didn’t meet specific requirements for issuing coastal development permits.

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“This is quintessentially a political issue now,” said Judge Foster. “I think belongs back in City Hall, not in the Hall of Justice.”

Bryan Pease, the attorney for the Animal Protection and Rescue League, said if the Planning Commission makes the same decision again, the case will be back in court. And if the Planning Commission approves the City Council decision, the permit request will go the state Coastal Commission, said Pease.

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City News Service contributed to this report.


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