Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Violation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City issues stop-work order after unpermitted Caltrans grading at Highway 1 and 92
Summary
Half Moon Bay staff issued a stop-work order after Caltrans contractors rapidly graded vegetation and built temporary gravel roads at the southeast corner of Highway 1 and 92; the city plans biological assessments and remediation and will meet with Caltrans to determine mitigation and next steps.
A stop-work order was issued after contractors working for Caltrans graded vegetation and laid gravel at the southeast corner of Highway 1 and Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay, Planning Director Leko told the Planning Commission on June 10.
The work — which residents and former officials said happened very quickly — included scraping soil, grading down an estimated 18 inches in places and creating temporary gravel access roads. Former Planning Commissioner Jimmy Benjamin, who spoke during public comment, called the disturbance “the most prominent alluvial channel in the city” and said the visible scraping “defies logic.” Commissioner David Gorn, speaking as a private citizen, described the scene as “flat and barren” and asked how the work could proceed without apparent immediate enforcement.
Director Leko said the city received notice midweek, issued a stop-work order by 8 a.m. the following day and has documented permit violations. “By 8AM on Thursday, we had a stop work order,” Leko said. She said the city is meeting with Caltrans to review violations, and that next steps will likely include biological assessments and mitigation to determine how the site can be remediated.
The grading occurred on privately owned property leased to a contractor performing work tied to Caltrans’ bridge repair activity beneath the Highway 1 bridge. City staff said Caltrans notified the city of a bridge scour project but did not notify the city before crews began the grading observed by residents. Leko said the current property owner leased the parcel to the contractor and was not aware the work lacked the required city permits.
City staff told the commission they will continue documenting the site and pursue remediation, including additional biological study and mitigation measures as needed. Leko said Caltrans did not immediately respond to the city’s initial inquiries and that the topic will return to the commission with more details once staff and Caltrans have met.
Commissioners and members of the public asked for frequent updates. Staff said the matter will be agendized when there is information to report and that enforcement records and remediation proposals will be shared with the commission and public.
Community members who raised the issue urged stronger consequences for unpermitted work and clearer coordination between property owners, contractors and public agencies to avoid large-scale disturbance to sensitive channels and habitats.
