Half Moon Bay planning commission approves retroactive coastal permit to close Redondo Beach Road gate at night

The Half Moon Bay Planning Commission voted to retroactively approve a coastal development permit for the existing gate on Redondo Beach Road, and to return to the practice of closing the gate at night and reopening it each morning.

Senior Planner Scott Phillips told the commission the gate was fabricated in 1985 and that closures occurred regularly until about 2015; the city applied for the permit now to formalize past practice and add an updated locking mechanism accessible to the fire district, public works, the sheriff’s office and property owners west of the gate.

Neighbors, property managers and resource stewards urged approval at a packed public hearing. “We see a lot of speeding at night,” resident Trish Hayward said during public comment, adding that recent Ring-camera footage and repeated illegal dumping have degraded conditions at the road’s end. Former Half Moon Bay Police Officer John Lortz said, “Limiting access during evening hours will reduce the risk of criminal activity.” Bruce Russell, who manages Ocean Colony Partners, told commissioners OCP closed the gate from 1985 until February 2015 and offered to resume daily staff closures if needed.

Commissioners heard from Coaside Land Trust, which supports closing the gate at night to reduce dumping and protect habitat and said the Wavecrest Coastal Trail improvements will be open during daylight hours. Surfrider Foundation’s Kimberly Williams opposed the permit, saying gated access can set an adverse precedent for public coastal access and that other remedies should be considered; she urged more evidence that the closure meets Local Coastal Program standards and the Coastal Act.

Staff summarized coordination with Coastal Commission staff, the county sheriff and the fire district and said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA because it is an existing facility. Staff also said signage would be updated to warn motorists, clarify closure hours and list emergency contact numbers; the draft conditions included removing an inappropriate hold‑harmless clause for Public Works. The packet included a sheriff’s call log and other outreach materials posted on the city website.

After public comment and commissioner deliberations, the commission approved a motion to adopt the coastal development permit and directed staff to: replace and update gate signage; install a Knox-type lock with access for emergency responders and landowners; and evaluate and, as needed, implement a safe turnaround area near the gate so vehicles can exit if they approach the closure. The approval included a direction that staff follow up with Coastal Commission staff on any outstanding questions about parking offsets and coastal access management.

The city’s decision restores a practice neighbors and some commissioners said will reduce illegal dumping, nighttime disorder and fire risk near the eucalyptus groves west of the gate. The gate will not block pedestrian or bicycle access to the end of Redondo Beach Road during nighttime closures, staff said.