Open Space District schedules public meetings to redraw ward boundaries

[Press Release] The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) has scheduled several public meetings to obtain input from its constituents on how the District’s ward boundaries should be redrawn.  The reapportionment is necessary in order to democratically represent coastside residents who became District constituents when MROSD’s Coastside Protection Program was made official on September 7, 2004.  Workshops will be held on October 21 in Half Moon Bay, on October 26 in Pescadero, on November 4 at the District’s Skyline Boulevard field office, and on November 9 in Los Altos, when the District’s Board of Directors will also vote on a final redistricting plan.

By law, special districts, such as MROSD, are limited to a maximum of seven wards, which have to contain roughly the same number of people. Since MROSD is composed of seven wards with approximately 100,000 citizens in each and because the population in the Coastside Protection Area is only about 30,000, the District will have to reapportion one or more existing wards to include the new constituents.

At the public meetings, participants will be able to provide input on several different redistricting alternatives to include the Coastside Protection Area.  Participants will also have an opportunity to meet the District’s Board members and ask questions.  In addition, constituents will have an opportunity to provide comments via the District’s Web site and by submitting written comments directly to the District.

Below are the times and locations of the meetings:

• Thursday, October 21, 2004, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Half Moon Bay (formerly Miramar Lodge) at 2930 North Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
• Tuesday, October 26, 2004, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Russell Administration Center, 620 North Street, Pescadero, CA 94060.
• Thursday, November 4, 2004, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the District’s field office at 21150 Skyline Boulevard, La Honda 94020.
• Tuesday, November 9, 2004, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Administrative Office at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94022.

Individuals interested in participating in the process can also call the District for more information at (650) 691-1200 or visit the Web site at www.openspace.org