Comments by Kevin J. Lansing

Opinion:  Foothill Bypass, Part III: We can’t afford it

The proposal for the Foothill bypass is inextricably connected the ultimate number of houses that could be built as part of the Pacific Ridge subdivision. For a bit more background, see the following article from the February 22, 2001 HMB Review.

http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2001/02/22/export18472.txt

Opinion:  Foothill Bypass, Part II: A legal (and literal) quagmire

Leonard’s point about growth rates is exactly right: these so-called “limits” do absolutely nothing to control the total number of cars that Highways 1 and 92 will ultimately have to handle, i.e., when every buildable lot on the Coastside has been built upon (a sure thing).

Two other points are worth making about the growth rate “limits”:

1. These limits do not apply to commercial development which can put a lot of cars on the road. Don’t believe that? Then why does the Harbor Village Mall project (now under construction in Princeton) include a parking garage that can accomodate 400+ cars?

2. The residential growth rate limits govern how many single family houses can be built in any given year so as to achieve a population growth target of either 1% (HMB) or 3% (Midcoast). The computation employs the average number of persons per household for our area, as taken from the latest U.S. Census. Currently, the number used in the calculation is around 2.6 or 2.7 persons per household. I think we all know that the true number is actually much higher, which means that the true growth rate of the population (and the true growth rate of the number of cars on the road) is also much higher. This is obvious. Just ask yourself this: What is the growth rate of the number of cars parked on Coastside streets in the last five years? 

Opinion:  Foothill Bypass, Part II: A legal (and literal) quagmire

“Infrastructure” is the new Coastside buzzword.

The Devil’s Slide closure has sparked much of this debate of course, but it’s also worth noting that there is a huge $37 billion state infrastructure bond to appear on the November 2006 ballot.

According to an article in today’s SF Chronicle:

“Real estate developers, general contractors and farmers made sizable contributions to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in recent weeks as legislative leaders and the administration finalized a landmark $37 billion bond package for rebuilding public works projects statewide.

The governor has raised a total of $5.1 million in the last seven weeks, much of it—$1 million—coming from builders and other businesses with potential interests in the infrastructure bonds approved last week for the November ballot....

One key advocacy group is the California Infrastructure Coalition, which is made up of public agencies, private companies and trade associations. The group’s executive director, Beth Miller, is also a partner in a public relations firm with the governor’s chief fund-raising executive, Marty Wilson.

Coalition members have given to the governor’s campaign in recent weeks. The donations include $22,300 from the California Building Industry Association and the $10,000 from Associated General Contractors…

Schwarzenegger’s campaign also received tens of thousands more in recent weeks from individuals and companies in the same industries, including $10,000 donations from Ponderosa Homes of Pleasanton, Ryder Homes of Walnut Creek and Centex Homes of San Ramon.”

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/05/09/MNGSVIO7NE1.DTL

So, its pretty clear that the pro-development lobby thinks that getting the public to pay for $37 billion in infrastructure improvements is a really good deal for those who make money building and selling houses (which will be served by this infrastructure).

Coastside Community First revives Foothill Blvd project

I’m still hoping that one of the directors of CCF will provide us with some thoughts on the following:

1. Realistically, how much would this bypass cost, including all of the necessary permitting and environmental reviews?

2. How would the cost be shared between the City of Half Moon Bay (presumably the primary applicant for all permits, etc.), the County of San Mateo, and the developers?

3. How many new houses would have to be built to make the project worthwhile for developers to help pay for it?

4. Legally, how can a road can be built that runs directly through known wetlands or sensitive habitat?

5. How would a new signalized intersection on Hwy 92 (at Foothill) improve traffic flow?

New Coastside organizations will promote “infrastructure sensitive to the environment”

The mission statement says

“Coastside Community First stands for a high-quality infrastructure sensitive to the environment”

At tonight’s City Council Meeting, the public heard that this new tax-exempt organizaton is advocating the building of a two lane bypass the would depart eastward from Highway 1 between Grandview and Terrace, go behind the HMB High School, and then finally emerge onto Hwy 92 via the path of “Foothill Blvd.”

According to the drawing passed out at the meeting, the plan would appear to require at least two new traffic lights, one at the Highway 1 departure point (between Grandview and Terrace), and the other at the Hwy 92-Foothill intersection.

The materials passed out at the meeting stated, “Construction costs could be shared equitably between planned development owners [translation: developers] and the public.”

No information was given about: (1) the estimated cost of this project, (2) how many new houses might be associated with it, or (3) what kind of impacts the project might have on known wetlands or sensitive habitat in the vicinity.

Perhaps the board members of CCF could fill in some more details.

Landslide cuts communication to the Coastside

Before everybody jumps to conclusions that this event says something about our readiness for a “natural” disaster, it’s worth noting that the mudslide took place “below the construction site at Skylawn Cemetary.”

Did faulty construction work destabilize the hillside?

Video: Some Sunny Day

Sam Carrieri wrote
“Can’t believe [they] didn’t stop the blasting on the slide cause it may disturb the sleep & sex life of the frog,s & snakes.”

It’s good to hear concerns being raised about whether the Devil’s Slide work done by Caltrans is abiding by both state and federal law when it comes the the protection of threatened or endangered species.

Throughout the entire permitting process for the tunnel project, CalTrans has been a model for the identification and mitigation of impacts to environmentally sensitive habitat areas. So there is no doubt that similar care was taken with respect to the recent blasting operations.

Coastsiders estimate highway repair will take 103 days

Barry wrote:
“If you buy into `The Wisdom of Crowds,’ that’s as good an estimate as any...”

As a counterpoint to the provided link to James Surowiecki’s book of the same name, it’s perhaps worth keeping in mind the alternative view, often associated with the classic book by Charles Mackay: “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds”

http://www.cashncarrion.co.uk/products/4406/208/

Video: Caltrans geologist explains Devil’s Slide

Darin and Barry:
Thanks for providing such a tremendous public service. After watching that video, I have to say that I think the criticism of CalTrans on the slow pace of repair work thus far might be a bit overdone. They are facing an incredibly complex (an expensive) task to rebuild a road in place where nature does want a road to be rebuilt. In the contest, I guessed it would take 96 days to re-open the road. Now I think I should have guessed higher.

Devil’s slide and Shamrock Ranch slip-out are both deteriorating

Regarding the slip-out at Shamrock Ranch: Is there any chance that the slide there was precipitated by Caltrans’ building of the contruction access road which leads away from highway at that point?

The access road is cut into the hillside below the level of the highway, which, when combined with the extra soil weight from the rain, may have de-stabilized the hillside.

See photo #’s 108, 112, 114, and 116 in the album. 

Accident on Hwy 92 muddies impact of HMB’s emergency traffic measures

chris clabaugh wrote
“As a recent resident of Montara, I was concerned with the commute to my job and my children’s schools over the hill in Burlingame. I suppose that I, and other recent ‘coastsiders’, have been living in a fantasy land regarding the seriously under-planned, under-funded, and under-resourced transportation needs and realities of the coast in this new era.”

I agree. It is a fantasy to believe that one can live in a pristine, rural coastal area and at the same “enjoy” all the “conveniences” of modern urban living, such as high capacity freeways, big box stores, multiplex theatres, etc.

There is no shortage of people, however, who are working hard to bring all those modern urban conveniences to the coastside, so that it may soon look like every other community over the hill.

Album: Devil’s Slide on the move

Great pictures! I drove North on Devil’s slide at 1:30 pm Sunday, and the cracks at that time were noticable, but much smaller than they are now. (I decided to take 280 on my way home at about 5 pm). 

Devil’s Slide is closed indefinitely

The tunnel is projected to cost around $300 million. At current after-tax interest rates, Caltrans (and taxpayers) would still come out ahead financially if, instead of buiding the tunnel, they were to spend around $1 million per year in perpetuity by fixing/improving the existing road. 

HMB Fire Chief announces his intention to leave department

Calling this situation a meltdown seems like an understatement.

Interim Chief Bonano deserves tremendous credit for pulling back the curtain on a very troubled public agency.

Am I the only one who suspects that his abrupt decision to resign is somehow connected to the fallout from his extremely candid memo of March 21?

Letter: School district’s dropout statistics are misleading

Darin:
I think that what Ken is saying is that nobody has officially verified what actually happened to the missing seniors---and that a similar number seems to go missing year after year, without ever being reflected in the official graduation statistics.

Gallery:  Supervisors continue hearings on Midcoast LCP update

The purpose of the Midcoast LCP update is to formulate general plans and policies to ensure that growth and development over the next several decades is consistent with the California Coastal Act---The purpose is not to provide a means to insert special rule changes that will benefit somebody’s pet project, i.e., Big Wave.

The backers of Big Wave are seeking to exploit people’s natural compassion and concern for those with disabilities in an effort to push through LCP changes that will facilitate a major commercial/housing development project.

A similar strategy was employed by the Wavecrest developers. Their proposal for huge residential subdivision (to be constructed on wetlands) was linked to a promised new middle school and a promised new Boy’s & Girl’s club.

Anybody who raised objections to the Wavecrest subdivision because it violated the Coastal Act was automatically labeled “anti-school,” or “anti-kids,” or an “obstructionist.”

A similar PR campaign is being used to push the Big Wave project.

County supervisors return to LCP update Tuesday

The new recommendations for the Board of Supervisors ignore all of the detailed input provided by the California Coastal Commission staff in its most recent letter dated December 2, 2005.
http://coastsider.com/comments/1060_0_1_0_C/

Rather than adhering to the principles set forth in the California Coastal Act, the Supervisors are pushing ahead with their own vision for the the Midcoast. That vision involves a doubling of the number of housing units from the current level of around 3700 units to somewhere between 6700 and 7200 units (plus an untold number of un-permitted second units that will surely be built over time).
http://coastsider.com/comments/1038_0_1_0_C/

There is no possible way that the Coastside infrastructure (schools/water/roads/sewer) can support anywhere near a doubling of the number of housing units in the Midcoast.

In a letter to the Board of Supervisors dated December 12, 2005, Cabrillo Unified School District Superintendent John Bayless wrote: “As presently configured, the District can support limited growth, but not a doubling in population...The District’s options for future [school] development are becoming increasing limited. Many elementary-age student in Half Moon Bay are already bussed to schools in neighboring areas...”

The latest Board of Supervisors’ recommendations do not even mention the impact of the proposed buildout scenario on Coastside schools.

The recommendations do admit, however, that the CCWD water system is about 10 percent short of the capacity needed for buildout, while the MWSD water system is nearly 40 percent short of the needed capacity.

Here’s the table that shows the existing (2005) Level-of-Service (LOS) on Coastside roadways

Highway 92 (1 to 280) LOS “E”
Highway 1 (Miramontes to Frenchman’s Creek) LOS “E”
Highway 1 (Frenchman’s Creek to Pacifica) LOS “D”
Highway 1 (Pacifica to San Francisco) LOS “F”

Here’s the Table that shows the projected (2010) Level of Service on Coastside roadways (that’s less than 5 years from today).

Highway 92 (1 to 280) LOS “F”
Highway 1 (Miramontes to El Granada) LOS “F”
Highway 1 (El Granada to Montara) LOS “E”
Highway 1 (Montara to Pacifica) LOS “F”
Highway 1 (Pacifica to San Francisco) LOS “F”

Here’s what the Coastal Commission staff recently said about Coastside roadways:

* The existing extreme traffic congestion on Highways 1 and 92, which operate at a level of service F during peak commute and recreation periods, significantly interferes with the public’s ability to access the Mid-Coast’s public beaches and other visitor serving coastal resources;

* The most recent Countywide Transportation Plan predicts far greater congestion on the Highway 1 and Highway 92 corridors by 2010, even with planned highway improvements;

* There continues to be a significant imbalance between housing supply and jobs throughout the Mid-Coast region of San Mateo County, with a shortage of jobs along the coast that forces residents to commute over Highways 1 and 92 to inland jobs;

* There are more than three thousand existing undeveloped parcels in the unincorporated Mid-Coast region (and additional undeveloped parcels in the City of Half Moon Bay), each of which could be developed with a future residential use, further compounding traffic congestion;

HMB City Council violated its own procedures in selecting planning commission

Steve Skinner wrote:
“Enhance Ecotourism” is listed as as 2006 Priority for the Planning Dept..Translation please...?

Ecotourism one of many projects being advocated by the HMB Chamber of Commerce---a group that has considerable political influence with the current City Council majority, and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. 

http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/chamber_info/committees_gac.html

CUSD will put $175 parcel tax on June ballot

The $30 assessment for undeveloped parcels is way too low--and reflects the CUSD Board’s continued deference to the pro-development lobby on the Coastside.

Below is a letter I sent to the Board prior to yersterday’s meeting:

March 4, 2006

Members of the CUSD Governing Board
498 Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay CA 94019

Re: Comment on Agenda Item VIII: Discussion Concerning a Proposed Parcel Tax for the June 2006 Ballot

Dear President Schreurs and Members of the CUSD Governing Board:

I appreciate the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed CUSD parcel tax for the June 2006 ballot. I am a parent of two children attending Hatch Elementary. I have served as a volunteer in the classroom for several years and I was also a member of the CUSD Strategic Planning Team on Student Achievement during 2005.

In considering the details of any proposed parcel tax, I would strongly urge the CUSD governing board to apply the principles of equity and fairness, so that the financial burden of educating our community’s children is shared by all land-owners who stand to gain from improved education on the Coastside.

In particular, I would strongly urge the CUSD governing board to refrain from granting an exemption to undeveloped lots in determining the annual parcel tax assessment. Undeveloped lots, many of which are held in concentrated ownership by corporate interests or wealthy families engaged in the business of development, will receive a tangible benefit from improved school quality. The quality of our community’s school system is directly capitalized into property values, so that owners of undeveloped lots will receive a capital gain if the parcel tax is passed. It is therefore only fair that such landowners should pay their share of the costs of providing the quality public education system that enhances their property values.

Wealthy landowners who argue in favor of an exemption from the parcel tax are attempting to shirk their civic responsibility for paying for public education, while at the same time seeking to reap the benefits of appreciated property values when the affected lots are eventually sold or developed. Moreover, an exemption for undeveloped lots places a higher financial burden on middle and lower income families who are less able to bear it.

Given the narrow vote margins that have decided parcel tax votes in the past, it seems crucial that any proposed parcel tax be viewed as equitable by the community in order to maximize the probability that the measure can receive the needed two-thirds majority vote.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Lansing
Half Moon Bay

Memorial: Shirley Brey

I served with Shirley on the Board of Directors for the Half Moon Bay Open Space Trust.

Her vibrant spirit was an inspiration to all her knew her. I will always remember her determination to stand up for her beliefs. She truly appreciated the natural beauty of the Coastside and she worked hard to help preserve it for future generations.

Her graceful and dignified approach to her final months was in keeping with her honesty and integrity.

Page 16 of 18 pages « First  <  14 15 16 17 18 >