Half Moon Bay Review
December 7, 2005

Standing-room only crowd greets supervisors at hearing

By Marc Longpre

Residents of unincorporated areas of the Coastside packed a public hearing before the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, largely to register their complaints about an ongoing Local Coastal Program update.

After a six-month lull in activity, the county issued its subcommittee's report on the revision of the LCP several weeks ago to varied reaction.

While the report reiterated some points that had long been a part of the revision process, it also included new, more controversial, recommendations. Tuesday's hearing was held to address concerns the public may have over the update.

Many in attendance wore yellow patches on their shirts that read, "The Coast belongs to Everyone."

The California Coastal Act, designed to protect the state's coastal resources, is implemented locally through city and county LCPs. The city of Half Moon Bay is also currently in the process of revising its LCP.

The subcommittee formed to delve into the county LCP project consisted of Supervisors Rich Gordon and Jerry Hill. They have held numerous meetings on matters relevant to the LCP.

Residents' say their biggest concern is that the new plan could bring growth to the coast where transportation, water and sewer resources are already stretched thin.

The subcommittee's controversial proposal would limit annual growth to 2 percent, although cities like Half Moon Bay and Pacifica have set the limit at 1 percent.

"The city of Half Moon Bay has voted for a 1 percent limit," said Montara resident Don Johnson. "I'm not a knee-jerk NIMBYist, I'm just looking for some balance. What we're going to decide over the next few months will decide the growth of this community over the next 10 or 20 years."

Residents also lodged serious concerns over the proposal to expand Highway 1 to four lanes through the urban areas of the Midcoast.

Many speakers pointed out that the most controversial proposals — such as the 2 percent growth rate and the possible expansion of Highway 1 — were not recommended by either the San Mateo County Planning Commission or the Midcoast Community Council.

"I would like to place my support for the MCC and the Planning Commission," said Jeffrey Davis, newly elected to the MCC. "There seem to be some serious problems with the subcommittee's recommendations."

On Monday, the California Coastal Commission sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors expressing concern with some of the LCP proposals. The 11-page letter outlined 17 points of concern.

In its letter, the Coastal Commission calls for the rezoning of the Devil's Slide Caltrans property, ensuring that it remain open space. The county board wants to delay a decision on for up to seven years.

Many speakers at Tuesday's hearing said they hoped that the board would do all it could to avoid delaying action on the Caltrans property. Caltrans has says it is not willing to negotiate on the deal until the Devil's Slide tunnel is completed.

The board is currently hoping to adopt the package sometime after the New Year, and will hear additional comments from the public at its regular Dec. 13 meeting in Redwood City.

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