I think we all enjoyed the beauty and power of the ocean over this weekend. I, like many others, was down on the beach enjoying the huge surf and watching the brave few paddle out to ride the monsters. For those of you that missed it, here are a few pics I took of Mother Nature’s show.

Kevin Stokes
Montara

La Costanera Restaurant, at the south end of Montara Beach, is applying for permit amendments to allow them to open in the daytime on Fridays and weekends (10AM – 2AM).  Environmental review documents are now available for public comment the MCC website.

1977 State and County permits for the restaurant limit operations to between 5PM until normal closing time, in order to share available public/private parking between beach users in the daytime and restaurant users in the evening. 

The Initial Study and Negative Declaration addresses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed expansion in operating hours, installation of exterior lights, signs, and patios, and grading, drainage and other improvements of the adjacent dirt parking area owned by State Parks. 

In addition to the County-issued Use Permit amendment, a Coastal Development Permit amendment will be required directly from the CA Coastal Commission for the project described above, as well as for the repair of existing drainage systems and riprap.  Until the CDP Amendment is granted by the CCC, the County Use Permit amendment would be considered inactive. 

Public comment must be received by County Planning Dept no later than 5PM, March 31, 2014.  Contact person: Camille Leung, Project Planner, 650/363-1826.  The MCC March 12 agenda will include this item.

Despite yesterday’s surf warning from the National Weather Service, Coastsiders were startled by just how heavy the surf was at Surfers Beach this morning.

Organizers of the Pacific Coast Dream Machines announced their March 3rd meeting will be open to the public for comment and input relating to the 2014 event, scheduled to run Sunday, April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm at Half Moon Bay Airport.

The meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, March 3rd, with the public comment period from 7-7:30 pm, at the Coastside Adult Day Health Center, 645 Correas Street, Half Moon Bay.

For information on the 2014 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, call the show office at 650-726-2328 or visit www.miramarevents.com/dreammachines

The National Weather Service has issued high surf advisory from 8pm Friday to 3pm Saturday.

The NWS forecasts westerly swells between 14 and 16 feet with a period of around 14 seconds. Local breakers up to 20 feet are possible. Highest swells will be south of Point Pinos in Monterey.

Expect higher than normal surf especially along west and southwesterly facing beaches. There will also be a heightened risk of rip currents and sneaker waves.

The following locations have elevated levels of indicator bacteria and are posted with warning signs:

Ocean Beaches:

• Pillar Point #5 (Capistrano Beach)
• Pillar Point #9 (Outer Harbor)

Creeks (where they meet or cross the beach):

• San Gregorio Creek
• Pescadero Creek

Senator Jerry Hill, who represents the Coastside, has been appointed to the California Coastal Conservancy.

Hill is now one of three senators and three assemblymembers who provide legislative oversight to the Conservancy and participate in its activities. The California Legislature created the Conservancy in 1976 to work as an intermediary between local governments, citizens and the private sector to improve, protect and enhance coastal resources of the state, from Oregon to Mexico.

The Conservancy serves as a repository for coastal lands. Under the state Public Resources Code, the Conservancy is required to preserve lands in concert with the California Coastal Act. Preservation efforts by the Conservancy can also go forward under certified local coastal programs and under the San Francisco Bay Plan, as implemented by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

A San Mateo County resident who had recently traveled internationally has been found to be infected with measles, reported the San Mateo County Health System this afternoon.

As of Feb 21, the California Department of Public Health had confirmed 15 cases of measles in California residents, many of which involve cases of returning international travelers and their contacts. This time last year, CDPH had reported only two measles cases in California.