CGF: Take Action: Keep elephants out of coastal agricultural district

Keep elephants out of coastal agricultural district
Posted September 16, 2003 / Updated September 18, 2003

• What's happening
• Why this is important
• What you can do

What's happening
A coastal pumpkin patch is proposing to bring in endangered Asian elephants for entertainment in the coast's Planned Agricultural District- where they clearly don't belong. Please join us in asking the Planning Commission not to grant a permit for this use, which is a serious violation of rules designed to protect our county's agricultural lands.

Last October, John Cozzolino brought in a pair of elephants to attract business to his pumpkin patch along Highway 92. The response was phenomenal, and the throngs of people lining up for $4 elephant rides and $5 photos literally stopped traffic on the already congested highway.

This year, Cozzolino must apply for a permit for this activity, which he neglected to do last fall. At their meeting next Wednesday, the San Mateo County Planning Commission will consider whether to grant a Coastal Development Permit for the elephants.

Why this is important
This kind of circus side-show is not an allowable use in the county's Planned Agricultural District. Further, this activity is adjacent to Pilarcitos Creek, where animal waste could cause harmful pollution. This kind of commercial entertainment is far from the uses intended for the county's Planned Agricultural District.

The City of Half Moon Bay opposes this permit application, but because this use is outside of city limits, the decision is in the hands of the County Planning Commission.

What you can do

1. Ask the Planning Commission to uphold the Coastal Plan and deny this permit.
Please write to the Planning Commission and ask them to uphold the Coastal Plan and deny this permit in the heart of the county's agricultural region.

Write to:
San Mateo County Planning Commission
Chair Bill Kennedy
Members David Bomberger, Ralph Nobles, Jon Silver, and Bill Wong
455 County Center, 2nd Floor
Redwood City, 94063
krud@co.sanmateo.ca.us
Fax (650) 363-4849

Points to make:

This kind of entertainment is not an allowable use in the County's Planned Agricultural District, and could undermine coastal agriculture.
Pilarcitos Creek is adjacent to the area used for elephant rides, and if not handled properly, the animals' manure and urine can pollute the creek.
The circus carnival atmosphere is extremely distracting for motorists on highway 92 and will cause horrendous traffic congestion during the road's busy season.

Please get your letters in by Tuesday, September 23, so the Commissioners can read them before the meeting. As always, mailed or faxed letters are best, but emails are also helpful.

2. Speak up at the Planning Commission hearing.
If you can, please come to the public hearing portion of the Planning Commission meeting and speak against this permit.

Wednesday, September 24, 9:30 am
City of Redwood City
Public Library Community Room
1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
Note that this is not the normal meeting location.

3. Learn more.
Read Mark Simon's column from the January 31, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle.

Read his follow-up column responding to info from CGF's Lennie Roberts, on February 3, 2003.

4. Support Committee for Green Foothills.
Become a CGF member or make a donation.


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