HMB’s biggest farmers upset with LCP revision

Half Moon Bay’s biggest farmers are unhappy with restrictions the city’s proposed Local Coastal Program puts on development of their land, reports the Daily Journal.

Part of the massive Local Coastal Program amendment being discussed by the City Council would not allow any new buildings on urban reserve zoned property. For all practical purposes, that only applies to the five major farms remaining in the city. The hope of the city is to protect the extremely large properties from falling into the hands of developers and turning into massive housing developments.

Additionally, to also protect open space on the coast, the city is proposing any new water wells on the farm properties require a conservation easement. That means the property, regardless of owner, could not be built on.

While the agricultural land is already zoned for limited development, creating an easement would require the land to remain untouched even if the zoning is changed.

At the same time, an easement devalues the property value. Oftentimes, that is a farmer’s largest and only major investment. They use the assessed land value to borrow against and use the money to purchase business materials or more land, said land use consultant Kerry Burke, a former planner for Half Moon Bay.

The issues raised by farmers in the article have to do with their ability to build homes for their own children who will work the land, or to replace a barn that has burned down.

But if they’re concerned that development limitations will limit the amount of money they can borrow, they must plan to borrow more money than can be paid back with simple agriculture.