Tonight at 7 p.m. the Midcoast Community Council (MCC) will address two big agenda items: action plan for Highway 1 improvements and updated planning for Princeton and the Pillar Point Harbor area.
“Both agenda items are key Midcoast issues,” said Lisa Ketcham, MCC secretary. “A show of public interest in these efforts at the MCC meeting will help focus County attention and resources here.”
Special guests from the County are expected to attend, including Supervisor Don Horsley, Deputy Director Steve Monowitz and Sarah Rosendahl, Chief Legislative Aide.
Monowitz will provide an update on the Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Study, which was presented in February to the community in a Community Forum jointly hosted by the San Mateo County Planning and Building Department, Supervisor Don Horsley and the Midcoast Community Council.
The focus of this study is on the communities of Montara and Moss Beach and the route north through Devil's Slide. Other issues of concern with Highway 1 include pedestrian and bike crossing safety issues at Surfer’s Beach.
The other big topic on the agenda concerns the area comprised of Princeton, Pillar Point Harbor and the Half Moon Bay airport, which are the visitor-serving and industrial hub of the Midcoast. Because zoning regulations guide development, MCC members say it’s time for a comprehensive update to the zoning and overall plans for this area. Monowitz will present and discuss a draft scope of work for an update to the plans, policies, and regulations that apply to development within Princeton and its environs, including erosion and unpermitted armoring issues.
Approval of the letter to Supervisors Horsley “asking him to take the lead and convene stakeholders to get action on this issue,” said Ketcham, will also be on the agenda at tonight’s meeting.
According to the report, the zoning regulations of two light industrial zoning districts on the Midcoast are “antiquated, generic and county-wide.” For zone M-1, which is the manufacturing and light industrial area in Princeton, many allowed uses are outdated or unsuitable for the Coastside, such as manufacturing steam engines or automobiles. The building height limit is 75-feet, higher than the coastal bluffs. No setbacks are required. Other County unincorporated areas such as North Fair Oaks have had their M-1 zoning updated specifically for their local conditions, but that has not happened for the Midcoast.
With no setback requirements in the other zone known as W (Waterfront – marine-related light industrial), the entire westernmost block of Princeton shoreline is now solidly walled off with 30-foot-tall buildings.
“Zoning regulations guide development,” said Ketcham, “and we are seeing the results of the existing ordinance. We are losing our precious shoreline views and access to neglect and poor planning.”
The 7 p.m. meeting tonight is open to the public and will be held at Seton Medical Center Coastside, Marine Boulevard & Etheldore, Moss Beach. Please park in the visitor's parking lot (first left coming up the hill to Seton).
