The state’s political ethics watchdog closed a conflict of interest investigation into Del Mar Councilmember Terry Gaasterland without further action, according to a Nov. 6 letter.

The Fair Political Practices opened the investigation after receiving an anonymous complaint in July 2023 alleging that Gaasterland voted on a potential new beach access point because it would be close to her residence.

Gaasterland was in the majority of a 4-1 vote in April 2023 to support an underpass down the bluff at Seventh and Eighth streets as part of a beach access improvement project that the California Coastal Commission required. She and other council members expressed concerns that the other proposed location on 11th Street would require a horn for when the train passes, which most residents preferred to avoid.

The San Diego Association of Governments developed the options for the additional beach access point, and the Del Mar City Council did not have the final say.

The complainant wrote that Gaasterland should not have voted on the item because “City ethics rules say that Council members cannot vote or even try to have an influence on anything that could potentially affect their property values.”

The FPPC, which notified Gaasterland in April 2024 that there would be an investigation, ultimately disagreed that there was an issue.

“The Enforcement Division’s investigation determined it was not reasonably foreseeable that the April 17, 2023 governmental decision would have a financial effect on your real property financial interests, due to the financial effect being contingent on intervening events and decisions made by other governmental agencies,” the letter said. “Therefore, this matter will be closed as the allegation has been disproven.”