Board delays Sharp Park habitat grant after supervisors press for smaller deed restriction area

Supervisors on July 13 continued consideration of a retroactive California Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund grant to the Recreation and Park Department that funds habitat restoration at Sharp Park, a parcel owned by the city in San Mateo County and home to threatened species including the San Francisco garter snake.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin offered an amendment to make explicit that the grant's deed restriction would not preclude the city from transferring the property to another eligible steward — such as San Mateo County Parks or the Golden Gate National Recreation Area — provided the successor assumes the grant obligations and the state approves. Peskin also asked Rec and Park to file a narrower legal description for the deed restriction so the restriction covers the specific restored habitat, not a 200‑acre parcel image that appears in the packet.

Toni Moran, grant writer for Rec and Park, said the state accepts a topographic map as a legal description for Habitat Conservation Fund projects and that staff could work with the state to reduce the restricted area to reflect the actual project footprint. She also said Rec and Park believed the grant was not retroactive until funds were spent and that the department would return with a revised exhibit and legal description.

Supervisor Peskin moved to amend and continue the item for two weeks to July 27; Supervisor Chan seconded; the board took the continuance without objection. The resolution will return with an updated deed description and the added whereas clause clarifying transferability with state approval.