HMB has an encouraging meeting with state agencies in the park

The multi-agency staff meeting at HMB’s proposed Community Park site on Thursday morning was, in my estimation, a complete success.  Agencies represented by staffmembers were the City of Half Moon Bay, California Coastal Commission and California Fish and Game with the latter acting as an information conduit for U.S. Fish and Wildlife.  Also involved was the City’s park design consultant, MIGS, and the environmental consultant subcontracted to MIGS.

The desired outcome of the meeting was to sort through the many overlapping issues and rules of the various agencies in order to give MIGS a clearer idea as to environmentally acceptable areas and design features on likely developable areas as well as to distill a clear set of acceptable interim maintenance procedures for the City.  The depth of the discussion was excellent and ranged beyond agency policy and into the behavior patterns of threatened and endangered species.

The desired outcome was achieved.  Due to the environmental status of the site as operated by the previous owner - even with the presence of Red Legged Frogs in the pond - the preponderance of the site is very likely quite appropriate for a Community Park Site and is maintainable in its current condition until a Coastal Development Permit is obtained for the actual park construction.  I use the phrase "very likely" because guidance from staffmembers at this phase must always be subject to further environmental studies and permits.

The Community Park—from an environmental standpoint—is as much of a "go" at this stage of the process as any project on the Coastside can possibly be.

Mike Ferreira is a member of the Half Moon Bay City Council