Resolution Near for 7th St Fence?

On October 20, the Board of Supervisors will hear the appeal of Planning Commission approval of new encroaching fence in the right-of-way at the west end of Seventh Street. It is expected they will approve a revised plan submitted by the applicant after an aborted hearing last April which Supervisor Horsley asked to have continued to pursue a proposed compromise which is reflected in the revised plan:

Last February the Planning Commission approved a DPW permit to remove the private 6-ft-high solid white fence across the coastal end of Seventh St and replace it with bollards, but they also approved a new private 4-ft-high wire mesh fence in the public right-of-way. That decision was appealed to the Board of Supervisors. DPW removal of the white fence has been delayed until this related issue is resolved.  

Most of Montara’s spectacular rocky shoreline is only visible to the public from the ends of county streets west of Highway 1.  Over the years the County has not placed a high priority on protecting this public coastal access and gave permission or ignored private encroachments into the public right-of-way. Restoration of public coastal access and views from Montara streets has been a key issue pushed by MCC since 2012.  A 5-ft solid wood fence across the end of Seacliff was removed in 2013.

UPDATE: On Oct 20, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved the revised project as pictured above.

Kudos to CHP Captain Mike Maskarich

Just had to share this success story of one concerned citizen changing the course and affecting the outcome of a Caltrans (!) project by voicing his concern during Oct 14 MCC meeting that the guardrail work on Hwy 92 in certain sections is creating increased hazard for cyclists, with the steel rail encroaching to the fog line.  Captain Maskarich was present, as he often is, to hear this report, and the very next morning he wrote the Council, “Following the MCC meeting last night, I inspected the guardrail on SR-92.  I notified Caltrans of my observations and at 0100 hours this morning, a Caltrans team went out and stopped all work on the project.  I was told the project will be re-engineered and a new guardrail will be put in place to accommodate more of a shoulder area.”  Captain Maskarich is CHP Redwood City Area Commander.  The guardrail issue was brought up by MCC councilmember Dan Haggerty.

UPDATE: Follow-up from Captain Maskarich:  "Thank you for the kind words, but I feel Caltrans supervisor Dwight Caldwell and his team are the ones who really came through. Their prompt response and analysis of the installation of the guardrail were paramount in having this project re-directed. Not only was the installation potentially problematic to bicyclists and pedestrians, but Dwight felt big-rig trucks and all approaching traffic was also at risk. Dwight has been my "go-to" resource on many roadway safety issues and exemplifies the excellent working relationship that exists between Caltrans, the CHP, and the communities we serve."

MCC Meeting October 14, 2015

Agenda for October 14, 2015, 7:00 PM
GCSD meeting room, 504 Ave Alhambra, 3rd floor, El Granada

4a. Connect the Coastside: presentation
-Alternative Development Forecast
-Alternative Transportation Standards

4b. MCC vacancy applicant recommendation
-10/8/15 applicant interviews video
-Claire Toutant appointment by BoS

4c. Letter to DPW re Capistrano Rd. parking & crossings

Consent:  Minutes for Sept 23, 2015Minutes for Oct 8, 2015

UPDATE:  10/14/2015 Video & Minutes

Connect the Coastside October Public Meetings

County public outreach resumes this month on the development of a Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan to address cummulative impacts of Midcoast development on Highway 1 & 92. The project has undergone a course correction since April 2015 to allow for additional analysis and report revisions. 

MCC briefing Wed, Oct 14, 7pm
GCSD meeting room, 504 Ave Alhambra, 3rd floor, El Granada

Public Workshop Thurs, Oct 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Cypress Meadows, 343 Cypress, Moss Beach

Topics for presentation and discussion:
Alternative Development Forecast
Alternative Transportation Standards

Connect the Coastside page

MCC Candidate Interviews Oct 8

Special MCC meeting Thursday, October 8, 2015, 7pm
GCSD meeting room, 504 Ave Alhambra, 3rd floor, El Granada

Special Agenda:  Interview 4 applicants for BoS appointment to fill one council vacancy and make recommendation on the preferred applicant to the Board of Supervisors. The applicants are:
     Gail Erickson, El Granada
     Charles Curtis Grisham, Moss Beach
     Todd Pelman, Moss Beach
     Claire Toutant, Moss Beach
Vacancy notices: County, MCC flyer, Nextdoor

UPDATE:  Council decision on which candidate to recommend for appointment to fill MCC vacancy has been postponed until Oct 14 regular MCC meeting.  The public is welcome to view the interview video and email your comments to the full Council at  midcoastcommunitycouncil@gmail.com

UPDATE: 11/17/2015 BoS appoint Claire Toutant to fill MCC vacancy