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Harbor District holds off on selling Burnham Strip parcels, explores stormwater and partnership options
Summary
Staff reviewed recent land purchases near Pillar Point and the Burnham Strip and recommended holding parcels while exploring options such as Deer Creek daylighting, overflow parking, mitigation, or donation to the Granada Community Services District; the board directed staff to delay sale and preserve options.
The San Mateo County Harbor District on July 15 reviewed several recent property acquisitions near Pillar Point and on the Burnham Strip and gave staff direction to hold on immediate disposition while exploring environmental and partnership uses.
General Manager Jim outlined the parcels acquired in late 2023 and subsequent purchases at Princeton, describing permitted uses under the El Granada zoning (linear parks/trails, outdoor recreation, stormwater treatment systems, public parking and restrooms). He said parcels 3 through 7 would be used for overflow parking and noted the district must follow the Public Lands Act before any sale of Burnham Strip parcels.
Jim described a staff idea to daylight Deer Creek across Parcels 1 and 2 and create an engineered bioswale to meet water-board TMDL requirements and reduce sand deposition into Pillar Point Harbor. He said this daylighting would likely require use of Caltrans right of way and coordination with other agencies.
Public commenters urged preservation and interagency coordination. Barbara Dye, speaking as a local historian and community advocate, asked the board to have more conversations with the Granada Community Services District and to avoid selling land for commercial uses without a thorough public process. Birgitte Bauer urged keeping community uses in mind for the post-office-adjacent lot and suggested donation or open-space preservation.
Commissioners debated declaring parcels surplus to recoup funds versus retaining them for future mitigation, staging, equipment storage or stormwater projects. Several members said retaining the land preserves optionality for future harbor needs and potential environmental projects. The board directed staff to continue with intended uses for Princeton parcels, to hold on Burnham Strip sales for now, and to pursue interagency coordination and analysis before any surplus declaration or sale.
No sale or formal surplus declaration was approved at the meeting; staff were asked to report back with additional information and interagency outreach.
