Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Meeting - October 13, 2023
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Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Meeting - October 13, 2023
The meeting began at 7:00 PM and was extended to 11:15 PM. Commissioners Rick Hernandez (Chair), Margaret Gossett (Vice Chair), and David Gorn were present; Hazel Joanes and Steve Ruddock were absent. The meeting covered a safety element update, a continuation of a minor amendment, a major trail and access project, and an update on emergency coastal development permits.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1A (Minor Amendment at 225 Valdez Avenue) was unanimously continued to the November 14, 2023 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Gossett recused herself due to living within 500 feet of the project.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Nagengast requested staff bring forward a process discussion on major/minor amendments and coastal development permits, as previously promised a year ago.
- Numerous residents spoke on Item 1B (North Wavecrest Trail). Key concerns included: excessive parking (81 proposed vs. estimated 40-50 current), safety on narrow Redondo Beach Road, increased traffic on Highway 1, drug activity, fire risk, lack of traffic study, inadequate community outreach, and maintenance burdens. Some speakers supported the project for improving accessibility and habitat restoration.
- On Item 1C, Mike Ferrara urged stricter enforcement of buffer zones under the Local Coastal Program.
Discussion Items
- Safety Element Update: John Dowdy (City Manager’s Office) presented the mandated update, noting it is a multi-jurisdictional effort with San Mateo County and will take about two years. Commissioners discussed forming an ad hoc committee and the need for clear emergency evacuation communications. No action was taken.
- Item 1B – North Wavecrest Pedestrian Path, Beach Access, and Trailhead Staging Areas: Scott Phillips (Community Development) presented a project to connect two segments of the California Coastal Trail with a 2.8-mile gravel path, two beach access stairways, three parking lots (81 spaces originally), a restroom, and extensive habitat restoration. The project includes 6 boardwalk ‘puncheons’ over wetlands, split-rail fencing, and decommissioning of informal trails. Public comment highlighted safety and traffic issues. After discussion, the Commission amended the project to limit parking to 35 spaces and eliminate the middle parking lot (Lot 2), with a reserve of 10 spaces for bike parking. The project was approved with these conditions.
- Item 1C – Emergency Coastal Development Permits: Doug Garrison reported three ECDPs: 2804 Champs Elysee Boulevard (private property), Myrtle Outfall Repair, and Seymour Drainage Outfall (both city projects). The City must apply for regular CDPs within 60 days. The Commission acknowledged receipt by unanimous motion.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1B Approved (3-0): Motion to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve a Coastal Development Permit and Use Permit for the North Wavecrest Trail, with conditions: limit of 35 parking spaces, two parking areas (Lots 1 and 3), and a reserve area for bike parking. The project includes two beach stairways, restroom, restoration, and split-rail fencing.
- Item 1A Continued: Unanimously continued to November 14, 2023.
- Item 1C Acknowledged: Unanimous motion to acknowledge receipt of three emergency coastal development permits.
- Future agenda items include a stormwater presentation, Poplar Complete Streets amendment, and Cabrillo Unified School District faculty housing (study session expected).
Meeting Transcript
October 10th, 2023, Planning Commission. We are televising this live on Channel 27 and local local channel 27 and the PCT's website as well. This evening we do have several people on Zoom, so we will allow public for public comment in person and then move to the Zoom comments. Three minutes will be given to each public commenter. And if you are in our Zoom, you can raise your hand and we will go in the order as raised. I'd like to call to I'd like to call to order the October 10th meeting of the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes. Commissioner Gorn. I'm here. Okay. Commissioner Gossett or Vice Chair Gossett? Here. And Chair Hernandez. I am present. We just make note that Commissioner Jonas and Ruddick are both absent this evening. So I'm going to ask her to step outside of the room. We can actually. Oh, do you want to do that first? Yes, please. So item 1A is going to be continued to November 14th. And I we don't have quorum, but we can just move the date, uh move it forward to November 14th. So all right, can I get a motion? Yes. Second. Done. Okay, Commissioner Gossett, you can come back. Okay. It's okay. Uh through the chair, maybe when Commissioner Gossett comes back, she could just state for the record what her conflict was. You can come. I will recuse myself because I live within uh 500 feet of this project. Thank you. All right. Oh, we're we're done. You're done. We're done. Okay. I just didn't want to have to have you get up and leave and then come back again. So uh now we're gonna go to um uh uh the clarify what one name was so we can know oh one A was a project for 225 Valdez as the first item on the agenda after public comment and planning commission business. So we uh good should we open public that's what I'm about to do. Okay. So I'd like to open it for public comment. Um for those of you in the public who would like to speak on something that is not on the agenda. Um you can submit a comment card or just come forward, and if you're online, you can press the little button and get in the queue. Uh so I'm gonna open it up for public comment. And the first person I have is Paul Nagengast. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, Commissioner, and staff. Um item one A was continued. I see date certain November 14th.
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