Midcoast Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Standards Update

Coastside Design Review Committee (CDRC), as part of their Design Standards Update project, has prioritized an update of Midcoast Neighborhood Commercial development standards. These commercial districts are clustered in Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada and are intended primarily for trades and services to meet the needs of Coastside residents, as opposed to the visitor-serving commercial districts located west of Highway 1.  

CDRC is holding monthly open study sessions to develop a draft ordinance specific to the Midcoast. The public is encouraged to get involved, by reviewing the study materials, attending the study sessions, or sending your ideas to CDRC@smcgov.org.  

Next study session is Friday, July 26, 1:30-4:30 at GCSD (agenda)
Study materials [updated 7/30/19]: 
Purposes -- Development Standards -- Performance Standards.
Background and supporting docs are here.

The existing ordinance (C-1/S-3) is generic countywide and does not contain adequate development standards to clearly and simply guide appropriate development that preserves the unique coastal small-town character of our Midcoast communities.  A hotel proposal for Montara in 2017 brought this issue to the attention of the community.

See 3/22/17 MCC letter & presentation on the need for C-1 zoning update.

Pillar Point RV Park Public Restroom, Views, Amenities: HMB Planning Commission July 9

Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Public Hearing
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 7:00 pm
EOC, 537 Kelly Ave, HMB

The agenda includes links to staff report, plans, and conditions of appoval. The community is encouraged to attend, learn more about this project and share their input. 

This project includes the construction of a new public restroom facility with three all-gender stalls, an outdoor shower, drinking fountains, benches, minor realignment of the Coastal Trail to provide additional buffer from the adjacent shoreline, public parking reconfiguration, and the addition of ADA parking spaces. 

Also under consideration is an after-the-fact Coastal Development Permit for the existing RV Park layout and operations which will address the many issues cataloged in the MCC 1/28/15 letter.

The RV Park was developed in 1999 without Coastal Development Permit, under long-term lease, on a Harbor District parcel that had been used for many decades as public beach parking with restroom facilities.  The public restroom, a key amenity in this popular beach area, was closed. A wall of closely planted cypress trees grew up along the highway to block public ocean views. Parking fees of $10/day were imposed on the small remaining day-use lot which lacked the amenities promised in the RV Park lease. There were attempts to legalize long-term RV stays, contrary to Coastal Act public access policies

UPDATE 8/19/19:  The CDP for the RV Park was approved 7/9/19 by the HMB Planning Commission to include a new public restroom, outdoor showers, reduced number of RV spaces to 40, reconfiguration of day-use parking and Coastal Trail, and landscape improvements to restore public ocean views and to provide more appropriately-sized screening for the RV’s from the highway and the Coastal Trail.

Final Findings & Conditions of Approval 

Roundabout Concepts for Calif Av, Moss Beach

MCC commissioned Roundabout Expert Michael Wallwork to prepare roundabout concept designs for California Ave at Hwy 1 in Moss Beach. The concept plans provide an idea as to approximate size and shape of possible roundabouts at this intersection. MCC provided these to the County for consideration as intersection improvements are contemplated.

The close proximity of the frontage road Carlos is the most difficult part of the design, although acute right turns and vehicle conflicts are probably no more restrictive or dangerous than existing conditions. Wienke Way, the fifth leg of the intersection, is accommodated by rerouting highway access slightly north. Vehicles entering the highway from Wienke would turn right only, and would go around the roundabout in order to head north on the highway.

Next step for California Ave intersection is a formal Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) as required by Caltrans when intersection improvements are contemplated.  The ICE for Cypress has already determined that “a multi-lane roundabout will better improve operations, increase safety, and be more contextually sound, as compared to a signal.” (evaluation - 10% design - Wallwork review)  These two intersections must be considered together for a context-appropriate circulation plan for Moss Beach. Connect the Coastside draft plan indicates that Cypress and California are the only Midcoast highway intersections that have sufficient current and future side street traffic volume to warrant signalization or roundabout.

More info on roundabouts.

Tree Ordinance Update Workshop 11/28/18

San Mateo County Planning Commission will hold a public workshop to consider a new Protected Tree Ordinance that would replace the Significant and Heritage Tree Ordinances.

Nov 28, 2018, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
400 County Center, Board of Supervisors Chambers

Meeting objectives are to provide the Planning Commission and members of the general public opportunity to review the proposed Protected Tree Ordinance, ask questions and provide comments.

The proposed ordinance retains the protection thresholds of both current ordinances, increases protection of indigenous species, and streamlines permitting for a small class of trees considered nuisance or invasive species (including blue gum eucalyptus and also Monterey pine in designated high fire hazard areas).

Early next year there will be a presentation at MCC, and circulation of an environmental review document before formal consideration of the final document by the Planning Commission.

Agenda  --  Staff report and proposed ordinance  --  Project website