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Neighbors alarmed after Midpen reports abandoned underground tank at Cypress Point; asbestos concerns raised
Summary
Residents told the Mid Coast Community Council that Midpen alerted homeowners to an abandoned underground storage tank at Cypress Point and has applied for an environmental removal permit. Neighbors said asbestos was previously reported on the site; county staff posted a response letter on the MCC website but questions about contamination extent and stormwater impacts remain.
Residents raised health and environmental concerns at the April 8 meeting after Midpen notified homeowners near Cypress Point that an abandoned underground storage tank had been discovered and that Midpen had applied for a county environmental health removal permit.
Ann Rothman told the council Midpen had cordoned off the tank discovery area and hired a hazardous‑waste contractor to identify and remove contamination, but said hazardous materials have not been identified and the degree of contamination to surrounding areas is not yet established. "They've applied for a county environmental health services removal permit and have hired a hazardous waste management company who will identify what the hazard is and then plan to remove it," Rothman said.
Several residents and council members also raised separate historic concerns about asbestos on the site. Greg Diegas said the MCC previously submitted comments and a contractor's 1980s letter alleging asbestos on the property had not been sampled during prior reviews. Other residents warned that stormwater could carry contaminants into Montara Creek and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve during rain events.
Council members noted the county issued a written response to community inquiries and that the response is posted on the MCC website's Cypress Point project page. The county letter, the council said, provides some information about Midpen's plans; council members and residents requested clearer information about the contaminants found, sampling results, and mitigation steps.
What happens next: The council directed members and the public to review the county’s posted response on the MCC website and encouraged those with concerns to follow up with county environmental health and Midpen. Council members agreed to verify distribution of the county letter to all council email addresses and consider whether to request more detailed reporting from county staff or Midpen at a future meeting.
