Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Meeting – December 15, 2021 (Originally Scheduled December 14, 2021)
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Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Meeting – December 15, 2021
Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was scheduled for December 14, 2021, and ran into the early hours of December 15. The date used here follows the provided instruction.
The meeting covered four public hearing items: a continuation request for a cell tower, a controversial traffic calming project on Poplar Street, a permit extension for a school cell tower, and a water main replacement. Key outcomes included a vote to continue the Poplar Street project for redesign and approval of the other items.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (October 26, 2021): Approved after an initial procedural issue. Commissioner Benjamin initially voted without realizing he had not attended that meeting; he abstained on a revote. The motion passed 4-0-1.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Poplar Street Project: Four residents spoke. Hal Bogner requested separation of east and west side projects and raised concerns about construction impacts. Hilary (Parks & Rec Committee member, speaking as resident) criticized street widening and tree removal, urging narrower design and more bulb-outs. Ayad Al Sheikh argued the project fails traffic calming and pedestrian safety, citing increased pavement and flooding risk. Lau Hodges expressed disappointment that traffic calming features were lacking on the east side, noting community feedback was ignored. Commissioner Rick Hernandez, recused, spoke as a property owner, opposing the design near his home and warning of ADA non-compliance and tree damage.
- Cell Tower Extension (High School): Frank Garrity and Doreen Garrity raised concerns about permit compliance, tree removal, and unpermitted lights, urging stronger conditions. Applicant representative Aaron DeLeo (J5) explained the need for a two-year extension due to permitting and school board approvals.
- Water Main Replacement: Mary Rogren (CCWD GM) highlighted the critical nature of the aging pipeline and urged approval.
Discussion Items
- Item 1.A: Cell Tower at 525 Kelly Ave (AT&T/Castle Rock): Staff requested a continuance to January 11, 2022, due to planner illness. Commission unanimously voted to continue.
- Item 1.B: Poplar Street Traffic Calming and Safety Project: This was the major agenda item. Three commissioners (Chair Ruddock, Vice Chair Polgar, Commissioner Hernandez) recused themselves due to conflicts (residence on Poplar Street and street improvement agreements). Commissioner Benjamin was randomly selected to break the tie and chair the item. Staff presented the $1.2 million grant-funded project, including 6 tree removals, 30 new trees, traffic circles, bulb-outs, decomposed granite pathways, and curbside parking. Public comments were overwhelmingly critical, citing insufficient traffic calming, excessive impervious surface, poor pedestrian/bike accommodation, and failure to meet community consensus. Staff recommended denial to expedite an appeal to city council and preserve grant funding. The commission voted 3-0 to continue the item to February 8, 2022, for redesign with specific direction to reduce paving and enhance traffic calming.
- Item 1.C: AT&T Wireless Permit Extension at Half Moon Bay High School: Staff recommended extending the permit with enforceable milestones (June 1, 2022, for application; September 1, 2022, for planning commission hearing). Applicant requested two years. School district representative Jesus Contreras supported the timeline. Commission approved unanimously (5-0) with conditions.
- Item 1.D: Water Main Replacement under Pilarcitos Creek: CCWD proposed horizontal directional drilling to replace a 450-foot failing water line serving 40% of the city. Noise concerns for a nearby resident were discussed. Commission approved unanimously (5-0) with conditions.
Key Outcomes
- Poplar Street Project: Continued to February 8, 2022, with direction to redesign (reduce pavement, enhance traffic calming, address drainage). Staff may withdraw project if redesign delays jeopardize $1.2 million grant.
- Cell Tower Extension: Approved with milestones: complete application by June 1, 2022; hearing by September 1, 2022; otherwise permit expires.
- Water Main Replacement: Coastal Development Permit approved.
- Meeting extended to midnight by unanimous vote.
Meeting Transcript
Is open and closed. Um, you're able to raise your eye, raise your virtual hand on the icon on your screen. Um, if you are on telephone this evening, you can push star six to mute and unmute your hand or star nine to raise and unraise your yourself. Otherwise, like again, um the computers, tablets, and iPhones all have a feature that you can press to raise your hand. You'll be given three minutes for each commenter, and there will be screen. Um, we did receive um some public comment and this evening posted on the web, and commissioners have received all of it this afternoon from our staff. I thank you for your patience during our continued remote meeting, and we'll now hand it over to Chair Reddick to officially begin this evening's meeting. Thank you, Bridget. It's my pleasure to open this uh December 14th, 2021 meeting of the City of Half Moon Bay's planning commission. Invite you to start off with me by doing the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all bridget. Would excuse me, would you be so kind as to call the roll? Yes. Um I am present. Commissioner Gorn. Yeah, Commissioner Benjamin. Here vice chair polgar. Here and Chair Redick. I am here. All five commissioners are present this evening. Thank you. It takes us to the first item on tonight's agenda, which is consideration of the minutes of our last meeting, which was uh is that right? October 26th. Yeah, we had a joint session in November and then one cancellation. So it's been a while since we've seen each other. Of course. Uh Commissioner Benjamin move to approve. Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second. Thank you, Vice Chair Polgar. Just second in um Commissioner Hernandez. Aye. Commissioner Gorn. Yes. Commissioner Benjamin. Aye. Vice Chair Polgar. Yes. And Chair Redick. Yes. Minutes approved. Thank you. This brings us to the point at the start of every planning commission meeting where we invite uh members of the public who are in attendance to address the commission on any topics other than those which follow later on tonight's agenda. Oh commission commissioner Polgar. Uh Vice Chair Polgar. I'm I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. I I realized that I I didn't, so we did we just approve the 26th. Yes. Okay.
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