Midpen Seeks Coastside input on basic policy update; committee presses for clearer protections for viable agricultural uses

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District officials on March 10 asked the San Mateo County Agricultural Advisory Committee for feedback on proposed changes to the district’s overarching basic policy, including how the district treats coastal agricultural lands and public access.

The district’s assistant general manager, Susanna Chan, told the committee the update is intended to fold coastal protection work into Midpen’s basic policy and that the district will collect stakeholder feedback before returning a final proposal to the Midpen board in summer 2025. "We are here to hear your feedback," Chan said.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the discussion around the practical effects of Midpen’s policies for people who operate ranches and farms on the San Mateo County coast — lease terms, how grazing and crop production are prioritized, and what counts as "viable" agricultural land. Several speakers urged clearer protections to avoid displacement of long‑term tenants and to preserve prime soils and water access.

What Midpen described: Brian Malone, Midpen assistant general manager, said the agency currently has requests for proposals in the field for conservation grazing leases and that the board previously extended lease terms in response to tenant input. "We increased it from 10 years, 5 and 5, to a 15 year term, 5, 5 and 5," Malone said, explaining the policy intent to allow time for infrastructure investment and to enable applicants to pursue grants for improvements.

Midpen staff described the agency’s preference for grazing as a conservation tool on coastal grasslands, while noting Midpen has some row‑crop leases it continues to manage. The district said it prepares range‑land management plans, installs infrastructure such as cross‑fencing and off‑stream water to meet conservation goals, and considers food‑safety and seasonal restrictions where public access and agriculture coexist.

Committee concerns and questions: Peter Markey, a committee member, argued that when a rancher is current on rent and meeting contract obligations, the incumbent should have "first chance to stay there," citing concern that routine competitive bidding could displace tenants who have invested in infrastructure. Carrie Burke, listed on the director’s report as an applicant for a planned agricultural permit (PLN2020-5050), asked directly, "Who will determine it's viable? Is that the district? Is that the farmer?" Midpen officials said the board would make policy‑level determinations but that staff can return proposed criteria to stakeholders for comment.

Several committee members pressed Midpen to define "viable agricultural land" and to protect prime agricultural soils. Daniel Beable urged Midpen to prioritize opportunities for vegetable and other intensive crop production in addition to grazing, saying, "priority wise, let's get vegetables growing here in the county as much as possible."

Midpen responses and next steps: Midpen noted that its recently adopted ag policy (listed by staff as developed and adopted following public review in February 2023) sits beneath the basic policy and that some operational rules—such as the 15‑year lease structure and competitive re‑letting at the end of a full term—were adopted by the board after stakeholder input. Staff said they will take the committee’s comments back to the Midpen board and to ongoing public engagement sessions. Chan said the revised basic policy is planned to return to the board in summer 2025 for final review and approval.

Local outreach and workshop: The Agricultural Advisory Committee agreed to an April 14 workshop for the San Mateo County coast titled "Preserving Agriculture on the San Mateo County Coast" (7:00–8:30 p.m., Adcock Center) to solicit farmer and rural landowner ideas. Committee members reported distribution steps: a printed mailer (committee members reported about 100 invitations mailed), flyers for local posting, and volunteers to distribute notices to farm organizations and feed stores. Committee members also set on‑site logistics for the April 14 meeting (volunteers to set up chairs, plan to display a Zoom feed on a screen).

Actions and procedural notes: The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that was seconded and the committee adjourned at the stated time. Midpen representatives said they will continue public engagement, meet with coastal stakeholders in person, and incorporate comments before taking the basic policy revision back to the Midpen board in summer 2025.

For more information: The director’s report noted a planning permit received for Fandango LLC (applicant Carrie Burke) for a planned agricultural permit/coastal development and grading permit for a new home at 2135 La Hondo Road, San Gregorio (project PLN2020-5050). Midpen staff referenced the district’s conservation grazing policy and the ag policy adopted in 02/2023 as guiding documents; staff offered to provide those documents on request and to schedule follow‑up briefing materials for the committee.

Ending: Committee members encouraged Midpen officials to attend the April 14 workshop and to return with clarified language on viability criteria, protections for existing agriculture operations, and how Midpen’s subdivision or land‑division practices will treat agricultural viability. "We will take those comments back," Chan said.