It was exciting and disturbing to see this amazing aircraft flying over Princeton Harbor on Sunday.

Charles McKeithan

Charles McKeithan

Charles McKeithan

The San Mateo County Supervisors met today to consider their vision of the Midcoast. They took comments from interested Coastsiders on a draft statement of principles put together by supervisors Rich Gordon and Jerry Hill, acting as a subcommittee of the Board. Coastsiders from both sides of the growth issue addressed the Board, but most of today’s presentations were from the slow-growth camp. The Board will revise their principles and revisit the entire matter in early June.

The big questions raised by the public speakers were:

(1) What do the principles mean when they refer to "open space" and "will be developed":

"Open space" Midcoast lands will be developed with low intensity uses that are compatible with their community setting, and assure a reasonable exercise of property rights.

(2)  What do they mean by "private property rights":

Private property rights will be respected, and new regulations will not unreasonably downgrade the land use potential of private property.

(3) Does sewer and water infrastructure drive planning, or should our planning determine what our sewer and water capacity should be?

It turns out that "open space" (when it’s in quotes) means space that is perceived to be "open space" because it’s undeveloped, but is still in private hands.  After the meeting, some folks suggested that this specifically means the Burnham Strip in El Granada.

Meanwhile,  the Board says "private property rights" refers to the right to develop undeveloped property, but does not include maintaining the value of the property that is already developed. Supervisor Hill clarified, "Private property rights does not mean property value. It means the right to develop land. It does not mean the rights of neighbors."

And, finally, our local agencies will be called upon to produce enough water to serve the growth planned by the county. As Supervisor Mark Church put it, "Special districts and agencies should accommodate growth."

Several speakers came to speak in favor of property rights. Terry Gossett was there for Californians for Property Rights. CPR posted their own letter to the Supervisors on their new Web site. They’re seeking development of substandard lots to create affordable housing, keeping rural residential areas out of the Montara Water and Sanitary District, and letting urban land owners drill wells until they can get hookups from the water company. They’ve also posted an indictment of Midcoast elected officials, saying "The leadership role in supporting the Supervisors’ moderation sould be assumed by MidCoast elected officials".

For the record, I made the following statement in my two minutes before the Board:

I agree that it makes sense to start with an agreed set of principles before considering changes to the Local Coastal Program.  My concern is that the principles are still pretty vague. I’d suggest two additional, specific principles.

First, recognize explicitly that the Midcoast is unique community and environment deserving preservation.  Under this principle, the CalTrans bypass in Montara and Moss Beach must be rezoned as open space to keep these communities from becoming—after the tunnel is completed—satellite neighborhoods of Pacifica.

Second, I strongly support increased commercial activity on the Coastside.  I propose a principle that gives preference to commercial development in existing, underused downtown areas in Montara, Moss Beach and El Granada over new commercial development in Princeton and near the airport.

The Board plans to have the subcommittee revise their principles based on feedback from this meeting, and to next take up the LCP revision in June.

UPDATE: The San Mateo County Times now has a story on the meeting.

Nearly half the 112 residents at the skilled nursing facility at Seton Coastside have come down with flu symptoms, according to KCBS.  This despite the fact that everyone was vaccinated for the flu last fall. The facility is under "voluntary confinement" and visits are limited.

Sea Crest School has notified parents and others that its Head of School, John Wilson, and Assistant Head of School, Sue Reyneri, have resigned effective June 30, 2004. In a letter to school families, the school’s president noted:

This no doubt comes as a surprise to many.  As you reflect on this remember that Sea Crest School has grown a tremendous amount in its young history and needs to continue to grow to new levels.  John and Sue have both contributed to Sea Crest’s growth and their efforts and achievements are recognized and appreciated.

The Board plans to hire an interim management team for the next school year, while the search for a new Head of School is conducted. There will be a meeting for people interested in the changes at 7:30 tonight in Sea Crest room 17. Board members will be on hand to answer questions.

Click "read more" to see the complete letter from the President of Sea Crest’s Board of Directors.

The Committee for Green Foothills (CGF) will show KQED’s one-hour documentary, "Coastal Clash", which premiered last November and has generated a lot of excitement on the Coastside. The showing will be Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30pm. The program will start on the lighthouse deck to for the sunset and drinks from the hostel coffee bar. The group will move to the Fog Signal Building for the film. Afterward, CGF will host a discussion of the isssues by the film’s producer Elizabeth Pepin, California Coastal Commissioner Sara Wan, and CGF Legislative Advocate Lennie Roberts.

I plan to attend, so maybe I’ll see you there. It’s free and open to the public, but CGF says space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling the CGF at 650-968-7243 or [email protected]

County Board of Supervisors will "discuss its vision for the Midcoast", as part of its consideration of the update to the Midcoast Local Coastal Plan. The meeting will be tomorrow morning at 10am and the public will have an opportunity to speak.

Supervisors Rich Gordon and Jerry Hill have written a memo that will serve as the basis for that discussion. It lists the general principles the could guide the Board’s decision.  You can download a copy of the Board’s discussion draft of the principles from Coastsider. It’s designed as a starting point for the discussion tomorrow, so it’s not a final statement of principles. Click the "read more" link below to see the text of the memo.

This is another opportunity to make yourself heard on the issue of Coastside development in general, and the Caltrans Montara right-of-way in particular.

I’ve read the principles a couple of times and they’re vague enough to support either a decision in favor of developing or preserving the right-of-way as open space. For example, would the right-of-way be considered "open space" or "infill"?  What does "reasonable exercise of property rights" mean when you’re talking about the property rights of the land the state acquired to through eminent domain for a public purpose?

Here’s another item that could be open to interpretation:

The LCP will provide increased opportunities for commercial land uses that can create local jobs, lessen commuter traffic congestion, and contribute to the community’s economic base. Sites at Princeton and Half Moon Bay Airport are considered appropriate locations.

I strongly support increasing commerce on the Coastside, but with lots of empty commercial space in all our downtowns, plenty of low-yield developed commercial space (e.g. storage units and junked vehicles) in Princeton, and Harbor Village coming online, does it make sense to develop additional land for commercial applications? Or should we improve the intensity of existing use?

In an email the Committee for Green Foothills is calling on its friends to ask Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez to call for nominations for the Central Coast (including San Mateo County) seat on the Commission.  The seat is currently occupied by Monterey County Supervisor Dave Potter, whose coastal voting record they describe as "abysmal". On Monday, I noted that the Sierra Club was calling for Potter’s replacement.

Click "read more" to see the email from CGF

It was a bigger than average week for plant-oriented criminality. Six pine trees were topped in Moss Beach and there was a grand theft of plants from a nursery in Pescadero. Three big tractor batteries were stolen in Pescadero and there was a warrant arrest. Plus two DUI’s and two public drunks.

Vandalism 05-2137 04-14-05 @ 1339hrs Carlos Street, Moss Beach

Deputies were dispatched to Carlos Street on the report of vandalism to several trees located on the victim’s property. The property owner’s son told Deputies that sometime the previous night between 1900hrs and 1330hrs unknown subjects entered his fathers property and “topped” and/or cut at least six Monterey Pine Trees. The reporting party also told Deputies that they will be installing security lighting and surveillance cameras in the area to prevent further incidents.

Theft 05-2151 04-15-05 @ 1149hrs Pescadero

A local business contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report the theft of batteries. Unknown subjects stole several large batteries from a construction site in Pescadero. The batteries are approximately two to three times larger than a standard car battery and weigh 80-90 lbs. The batteries are specifically made for use on Caterpillar tractors. This case has been referred to the Detective Bureau for follow up investigation.

Drunk in Public 05-2158 04-15-05 @ 2026hrs Coronado Avenue, El Granada

Deputies were dispatched to the above address regarding a disturbance. The reporting party told Deputies that his ex-girlfriend was inside his vehicle that was parked in his driveway and honking the horn. Deputies contacted the ex-girlfriend, age 43, of Half Moon Bay and found her to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. She was arrested and booked into the county jail to be released when sober.

Warrant Arrest 05-2159 04-15-05 @ 2250hrs Pigeon Point Road

Sheriff’s Deputies were on routine patrol in the area of Pigeon Point Road. This area has no cellular telephone service, gas stations or pay telephones. Deputies noticed a vehicle that was parked to the side of the roadway and stopped to check the welfare of the occupants. Two people were sleeping in the vehicle. Deputies ran a routine wants and warrants check with county communications. Deputies were advised that one of the occupants had an outstanding felony arrest warrant. The subject, age 45, of Redwood City was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail.

Grand Theft 05-2163 04-15-05 @ 1800hrs Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero

Sheriff’s Deputies received information regarding thefts at a local nursery. The problem was an employee was possibly stealing plants from the business and taking the plants to a flea market in Modesto to sell. Deputies kept a close watch on the property waiting for the subjects to strike again. On the above date and time, Deputies stopped the suspect vehicle and contacted the occupants. The driver of the vehicle, age 35, of Pescadero was found to be in possession of approximately 144 plants, valued at an estimated $3000 in the bed of his pick up and claimed to be on his way to Modesto. The owner of the nursery met Deputies at the scene, identified his property and the subject was placed under arrested.

DUI 05-2164 04-15-05 @ 0436hrs Etheldore Street, Moss Beach

Deputies were advised by county communications of a vehicle that was crossing the double yellow and fog lines while traveling northbound on Hwy one. Deputies caught up to the vehicle and made an investigative stop. The driver, age 26, was found to be driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. He was arrested and transported to the county jail.

DUI 05-2167 04-16-05 @ 0729hrs 2nd Street/Cabrillo Highway, Montara

On the above date and time the Cabrillo Highway was closed in both directions due to an earlier accident. Deputies used flares, and the emergency overhead lights of their patrol vehicles to alert drivers of the detour. While directing the traffic around the accident Deputies noticed a vehicle coming right at them without decreasing their speed. Several hand signals and verbal commands were given to alert the driver to stop. The vehicle drove over the flares and caused the Deputy to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. The vehicle veered to the left and came to a stop. Deputies approached the vehicle and contacted the driver, age 58, of San Francisco. While talking to the driver, Deputies could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Field sobriety tests were administered and he was found to be driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, He was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail.

Drunk in Public 05-2206 04-18-05 @ 0729 Airport Street at Los Banos Street

On the above date and time Deputies were dispatched to a local restaurant on the report of an intoxicated subject who was causing a disturbance and harassing patrons of the restaurant. Deputies contacted the subject, age 40 of El Granada and found him to be irate and unable to care for himself. He was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail to be released when sober.

After a week of presenting Romeo and Juliet to local schools, the students of Cunha’s Drama Class are ready for their close up.  Tonight, from 7pm to 8:30, the public debut of Romeo and Juliet will take place in Cunha Middle School Multi Purpose Room.  Tickets are on sale at the door, but seats are limited, so come early.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students/children. Click on the picture of dead Juliet to pictures of recent performances.