Commission finds conveyance of 21 Wavecrest parcels to Coastside Land Trust consistent with general plan

The Half Moon Bay Planning Commission on April 8 adopted a resolution finding that the City’s conveyance of 21 parcels in the Wavecrest Planned Development Unit to the Coastside Land Trust for habitat restoration, wetland protection, trail improvements and public access/recreation conforms to the city’s general plan and Local Coastal Program land use plan.

Staff described applicable LUP policies designating Wavecrest for habitat conservation, hazard avoidance, public access and recreation, and lower‑cost visitor‑serving uses. The staff report noted the conveyance aligns with those policies and with the city’s lot‑retirement program, under which developers may contribute mitigation fees to retire lots elsewhere for conservation purposes.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about the parcels’ provenance, valuation and deed descriptions. Staff said the parcels were acquired through tax-default sale and that the city negotiated the transfer: parcels intended for public benefit would be donated to the land trust and other parcels would be sold for the amount the city paid, with proceeds returned to the mitigation/lot retirement fund. Staff indicated no independent appraisal had been completed and said the city is working with the county to correct a discrepancy in the legal descriptions of two deeds.

Commissioner Gossett asked whether deed restrictions or easements had been recorded; staff responded that because the parcels will be conveyed to a land trust with a conservation mission a separate deed restriction was not believed necessary but staff confirmed they would follow standard legal conveyance procedures. No public comments were received and the commission approved the recommendation to adopt the general plan conformity finding by voice vote.