The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) will appeal a decision by the Planning Commission to install a year-round rope barrier at the Children’s Pool today, Dec. 9. The barrier, intended to separate human beachgoers from the seals that have taken to using the beach for birthing their pups, has been the subject of intense conflict for years. As seal-pupping season fast approaches, seal activists are pressing for the rope barrier to be erected as soon as possible. Last May, the City Council approved a motion to keep the rope barrier, which is normally in place from Dec. 15 to May 15, installed year round. Mayor Jerry Sanders, however, rejected the decision in June, stating that because present risks to seals and humans had not increased from previous years, there was no reason to make emergency changes to the current permit. Then, in September, city hearing officer Ken Teasley ruled in favor of granting a coastal development permit to have the barrier installed throughout the year. The LJCPA rejects the decision on the grounds that the barrier has the potential to encroach upon the existing public access way and that it does not allow for the development of the ranger program or other options for controlling shared access of the beach. The Planning Commission meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers, located at 202 C St., on the 12th floor.