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Planning Commission finds Midpen purchase of 62.68 acres conforms with county general plan
Summary
The San Mateo County Planning Commission on Feb. 26 voted to find that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s proposed purchase of about 62.68 acres near Half Moon Bay conforms with the county general plan; the acquisition was exempted from environmental review as a simple acquisition.
The San Mateo County Planning Commission on Feb. 26 found that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s proposed purchase of roughly 62.68 acres on Miramontes Point Road conforms with the county general plan, a planner told commissioners.
Planner Bharat Singh described the purchase as an expansion of the Mira Montez Ridge Open Space Preserve near the city of Half Moon Bay and said the properties would be “managed for open space habitat preservation and water protection.” Singh told the commission the conformity report is required under Government Code section 65402 before the district completes the acquisition.
The staff report identified the parcels by assessor’s parcel numbers APN 066-430-100 and 066-430-110 and said the acquisition implicates general plan policies on wildlife and vegetation, visual quality, parks and recreation, rural land use, natural hazards and the Local Coastal Program. Staff recommended a finding of general plan conformity. For environmental review, staff said the purchase qualifies for a “common sense” exemption because the action is an acquisition only and does not propose improvements.
A written comment from Kelly L. Burke asked whether a parcel adjacent to Highway 1 could be used for recreational parking or a Midpen maintenance office, whether there is an upland water source, and whether grazing or agricultural use was planned. Singh read the comment on the record and told commissioners that the general plan conformity review covers only the acquisition; any future development proposals would require separate review and approvals.
Commission discussion included clarification that Midpen (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) is a government agency with taxing authority and that Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is a nonprofit that sometimes partners with Midpen. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the item’s public-comment period.
Commissioner Manuel Ramirez moved that the commission find the proposed purchase conforms with the county general plan; Commissioner Gupta seconded. The commission voted unanimously in favor. The commission’s action is a finding/report to the Board of Supervisors and does not by itself authorize development.
