Grand Jury: Harbor District Rising Price of Dysfunction

San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury has issued a new report on the Harbor District, recommending that the County Board of Supervisors initiate the independent study, promised in 2014, of possible scenarios for dissolution of the Harbor District so that they may make an informed decision regarding the District’s future. 

The Grand Jury and the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) have repeatedly -- most recently July 2015 -- recommended dissolution of the County-wide Harbor District, which owns Pillar Point Harbor and operates Oyster Point Marina under a joint powers agreement with South San Francisco.  Possible scenarios to be examined include naming the County to absorb the governing responsibilities of the District, with or without returning Oyster Point Marina to South San Francisco. The Grand Jury recommends that the study be initiated by end Sept 2016 and completed within six months.

UPDATE 9/20/16: County response to the Grand Jury report is to delay initiation of a fiscal analysis until after the close of FY 2017-18, at which time a determination may be made regarding any further analysis or action that may be warranted. 

Short-Term Rental Ordinance Revised Draft

San Mateo County has released for public comment a revised draft ordinance to govern short-term rentals in the Coastal Zone, where all or part of a residence is rented for less than 30 consecutive days.  This is currently not an allowed use in a residential zone, but the practice has been increasing.  The draft ordinance would add short-term rentals as an allowed use in the unincorporated areas of the San Mateo County Coastal Zone, subject to a permit, payment of Transient Occupancy Tax and other requirements, such as a limit of 180 nights per year unless the owner is present. 

MCC will discuss this issue at two upcoming meetings: July 13 and 27. Comments on the revised draft ordinance are requested by July 29, 2016, to Ellie Dallman edallman@smcgov.org (please limit to one typed page).  For background, see MCC page on this issue with presentations and minutes from prior meetings.  Next steps will be review of comments, environmental review, Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and CA Coastal Commission.

GGNRA Rancho Grassland Restoration Project

Grasses, and the fragile wildflowers that live among them, create one of the most ecologically diverse habitats on the planet. Rancho Corral de Tierra’s precious remaining native grasslands are one of the things that make this place so special; however, some of these patches are in imminent danger of being lost to invasive weeds. NPS recently launched a three-year restoration project and needs your help.