Pool beam and coping stones too high can I cut...

Pool beam and coping stones comes up too high - see pic. Can I remove coping stones and cut the beam down to where I can do stone coping flush with pool deck or maybe just a cantilever concrete edge without compromising pool structure integrity? If it will compromise integrity, then will I need to redo the pool beam lower to achieve this effect or something else? Thx! Oh and I can't raise deck to level of coping otherwise it would be above side door entry to house.

http://i40.tinypic.com/k1pi7s.jpg

How about a 2' wide ramp all around the coping? It could be cedar or redwood duckboards (I THINK there are some safe versions of pressure treated as well), or it could be some sort of masonary.

Just a thought.

I am going for the more modern look. If I can't then I'll just resurface the chattahoochie deck with stone or something. Thanks!

Your photo is not detailed enough (probably need close-ups, including one from the pool side of the coping) to reveal whether that's laid coping (non-structural) or poured coping (structural).

That's a key point, that needs to be resolved before others offer advice.

Photo archived => atterman