Commission approves farmworker housing at 4309 Cloverdale Road; adopts mitigated negative declaration

The San Mateo County Planning Commission on Jan. 22, 2025 voted unanimously to adopt an initial study and mitigated negative declaration and approve the Agricultural District Permit, Coastal Development Permit and Grading Permit for a farm labor housing project at 4309 Cloverdale Road in Pescadero (County file PLN 2023‑00297).

Olivia Boo, the county project planner, told the commission the 549‑acre parcel is currently used for agriculture (artichokes, parsnips, potatoes and winter squash). The proposed scope includes on‑site parking, fire turnaround and vehicle access improvements, storage tanks for fire water, a septic area and factory‑built (panelized) housing structures. Boo said the project design includes on‑site parking (eight spaces noted in the staff presentation), approximately 850 cubic yards of grading and no tree removal. Boo also told commissioners staff prepared an initial study and mitigated negative declaration; the public review period ran Oct. 18–Nov. 7, 2024 and staff received no comments.

There is a discrepancy in the record about unit count. In the initial staff presentation Boo described two farm labor housing structures; later in the hearing the applicant’s representative and applicant clarified the project would provide four units. The transcript records both descriptions; the commission approved the project as presented with the environmental determination and permits (the staff report and permit files should be consulted for final unit counts and permit conditions).

John Bars, an owner of 5th Crow Farm and a member of the agricultural advisory community, provided a public comment in support. Bars said the project “very much will benefit our business,” noting the farm employs more than 30 people and that “at least 10 families” who work for them would benefit from affordable on‑site housing.

Sandy Summers, planner for the applicant (Peninsula Open Space Trust / Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District), described the housing as factory‑built, panelized units that would be assembled on site, and said the project is intended to meet an existing need for workforce housing on the farm. Summers said the parcel has multiple water sources and storage (including nine agricultural storage tanks and a newly constructed reservoir) and that agricultural water supplies for crops are not expected to be impacted by the proposed domestic water conversion.

Commission action: Commissioner Gupta moved to adopt the IS/MND and approve the permits, and Commissioner Hansen seconded. The commission recorded aye votes from Commissioners Gupta, Hansen, Ramirez and Chair Serrano Quan and adopted the environmental determination and approved the permits.

Next steps: The staff record includes the IS/MND and permit conditions; the applicant and staff should ensure final permit documents and any mitigation measures are fulfilled before construction and occupancy.