MCC Meeting March 12, 7pm

Regular AGENDA:

Plan Princeton Existing Conditions Report. 
The Report is undergoing some revisions following comments from the Technical Advisory and Steering Committees, and will be released when those are finalized.

La Costanera Restaurant: Consideration of Revised Initial Study & Negative Declaration -- MCC letter (approved) - presentation - more background

Consent Agenda: Minutes for 2/12/14; Appoint CEAP alternate rep (memo)

Location: Granada Sanitary District (GSD) meeting room,
504 Ave Alhambra, 3rd Floor, El Granada

UPDATE:  3/12/14 Minutes - Video

Highway 1 Parallel Trail Funding Uncertain

The County recently applied to SMC Transportation Authority (TA) for funding for planning/permitting of the southern segment of the Midcoast Highway 1 Parallel Trail, from HMB city limit to the Coronado intersection in El Granada.

Competition is fierce for County Measure A sales tax funds for pedestrian and bicycle projects, which are generally considered every two years.  For the current cycle, the preliminary staff report recommends only the top 10 of 23 projects for funding.  The Midcoast Hwy 1 Parallel Trail is ranked #11, only 0.1 point behind #10 in the scoring system.  No Coastside projects were recommended for approval -- apparently there are no points added for geographic diversity.  

The TA Board of Directors will hear the initial staff presentation of proposed funding allocations at their meeting on Thursday, March 6, at 5PM, at 1250 San Carlos Ave, 2nd floor, San Carlos (Agenda Item #11a - staff report).  Final decision on funding allocation will be made at their April 3 meeting. 

MCC wrote in support of the grant application last December.  Community members can email their support for this project to the TA Board members, or speak at the March 6 meeting.

More info on this and other Hwy 1 projects at Hwy 1 Issues Page. 

UPDATE:  At their April 3 meeting, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority approved the full $500,000 requested for planning/permitting the southern segment of the Midcoast Highway 1 Parallel Trail.

La Costanera Restaurant Daytime Hours Considered

1977 State and County permits for the restaurant at south end of Montara Beach limit operations to 5PM until normal closing time, in order to share available public/private parking between beach users in the daytime and restaurant users in the evening. 

The County is processing an application to modify the restaurant’s Use Permit to allow Friday and weekend daytime hours (10AM – 2AM).  Environmental review documents (Revised Initial Study and Negative Declaration) for this project are now available for review. 

Public comment regarding the correctness, completeness, or adequacy of this Negative Declaration must be received by County Planning Dept no later than 5PM, March 31, 2014.  Contact person: Camille Leung, Project Planner, 650/363-1826.  The MCC March 12 agenda will include this item.

This Initial Study and Negative Declaration addresses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed expansion in operating hours, installation of exterior lights, signs, and patios, and grading, drainage and other improvements of the adjacent dirt parking area owned by State Parks.  

In addition to the County-issued Use Permit amendment, a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) amendment will be required directly from the CA Coastal Commission (CCC) for the project described above, as well as for the repair of existing drainage systems and riprap.  Until the CDP Amendment is granted by the CCC, the County Use Permit amendment would be considered inactive.  

The current planning application dates from 2006.
PLN2006-00494 MCC comments: 2012 letter, presentation; 2010 letter
Long-standing alleged Coastal Act violations - CCC, MCC
Petition for removal of beach floodlights

The restaurant was built in 1977 on the site of former 1950’s motel/restaurant, and was operated as The Chart House until 2002, followed by The Outrigger until 2004.
1977 Planning Commission staff report - Use Permit - parking exception
1977 CCC Coastal Development Permit P-77-579
1981 CCC denial of CDP amendment to allow Sunday 10AM opening 
1984 County CDP 83-67 for riprap

UPDATES:  MCC comments/ presentation on the 2/27/14 Revised Initial Study & Neg Dec for La Costanera Use Permit Amendment.
3/19/14 comments from State Parks
12/18/13 CCC letter re permit application status
4/25/14 CCC letter re Violations

Volunteers needed for SamTrans Advisory Committee

SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is composed of 15 representatives from various segments of the community and acts in an advisory capacity to the SamTrans policy board. Responsibilities include providing input on the needs of current and potential transit users. CAC has vacancies for community reps, bus rider reps, and multimodal reps.

The CAC meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the SamTrans administrative office, 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos.  Application and more info.