Dunes undergo grading at north end of Prom

As with any regulated grading, the group first received authorization from the city’s community development department and obtained a permit from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Dune grading is permitted under the city’s foredune management plan, adopted in 1995, which promotes having nice views of the beach and surf from the Prom, said City Planner Kevin Cupples.

The grading originally was done after the plan was adopted, and the group has been maintaining it since.

The beach is divided into five areas that each have management units, recognized in the foredune management overlay zone. The purpose of the overlay zone is to implement the policies of the foredune management plan.

The north central management unit starts near the turnaround and goes north to 19th Avenue. A group of homeowners in that area devised a plan that profiles the area and outlines how the dunes will be managed, graded and maintained.

When it’s time to grade the dunes, Cupples said, there usually is one individual who starts organizing the effort, collecting the money, applying for the proper permits and contracting a construction company. This time it was David Buuck.

As long as the group is acting by the city’s approved management plan, it has no trouble obtaining the city’s permission to do the work, Cupples said.

While most of the people who have oceanfront properties are those who want to maintain a clear view from their homes or businesses, property owners are not required to contribute to paying for the project.

More information about this topic will be available in a forthcoming article in the Seaside Signal.