Opposition to this Project 

Opposition to this project has only been compounded by the ongoing pandemic. Midcoast ECO believes this project is inappropriate and that the application should be declined by the City as was proposed in a joint letter from Green Foothills, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, and Surfrider Foundation. Their joint letter of April 23, 2020 clearly outlines how this large-scale project is out of step with the local visitor-serving economy devastated by the pandemic. The Local Coastal Program (LCP)  states that there is no need to add large scale visitor serving facilities. The City’s existing visitor-serving businesses need support, not competition. The City will add unnecessary stress by entertaining the possibility of revising/amending the existing LCP.​

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Opposition to this project was immediate and strong. Concerns about the destruction of the coastal environment treasured by all is well documented. Various organizations have commented on the potential significant adverse impacts on the coast’s infrastructure. Its inconsistencies with the Local Coastal Plan are a basis for denial. Yet, the developers are attempting to change the LCP in spite of the project’s conflicts with the Coastal Act.

 

Read early comments on the pre-application from offices of the City of Half Moon Bay, Cal Fire, Coastside Water District, and the CA Coastal Commission

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Why this project is inappropriate:

 

Habitat Destruction

Coastal resources protected by the Coastal Act must be respected. Not only is the project area comprised of prime agricultural soils, its historically significant wetlands have been greatly diminished over time. Half Moon Bay provides habitat to many species including the federally protected western snowy plover. We strongly urge the protection of environmentally-sensitive habitat areas and that restoration of the wetlands take priority over any new development along this coastline.

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Razing of Natural Coastal Beauty

The vision for "The Dunes at Half Moon Bay" displays a blatant commercialization of scenic coastal land that graces Half Moon Bay with natural beauty. The 21 acres north of Young Avenue are currently in use for open field agriculture. It would be transformed into a 170 space RV Park. The 26 acres to the south are currently open space with some equestrian and visitor serving uses. This area is slated for a 200 room hotel and 15,000 sf conference center with parking facilities, artificial fire pits, etc. This level of density pretends to offer more beach accessibility yet it destroys the coastal character that makes it special.

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Conflicts with LCP

Because the LCP requires that the whole 50 acres have a "Specific Plan," the developers have swept in parcels that may have dissenting owners such as the Coastal Land Trust (17 parcels) and some by private entities (9 parcels), and the City of Half Moon Bay, which owns one parcel. The proposal also falls short by almost 3 acres of the 50. Fortunately, beyond Half Moon Bay approvals, a "Specific Plan" must be evaluated by the California Coastal Commission and certified to be in conformance with the LCP.

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Overview of Key Concerns:

 

Major Impact on Traffic & Road Safety

With Highway 1 as the ONLY road that offers access and exit and the ever-increasing influx of tourists and visitors, there is a real danger with further escalation of density through the Midcoast to Half Moon Bay corridor. The cumulative effects of large developments in this area are not being adequately addressed in light of its fixed infrastructure. This danger is further compounded by the looming probability of rising seas, fire risks, and earthquakes. How will it impact our roads in an emergency or evacuation crisis? Creating a destination for more RV and tourist traffic is simply not sensible or responsible.

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Sewer

The coastal sewer system is stressed, in need of significant capital upgrades for both existing sewage infrastructure as well as for the sewage treatment facilities owned jointly by three coastal entities. Discharges of raw or partially treated sewage into Half Moon Bay have been documented. Adjacent Venice Beach and Pillar Point Beach are frequently on the State of California’s list of impaired water bodies for indicator Bacteria. Midcoast ECO’s published study of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) documents a total of 101 SSOs from 2011 to 2017, 20 of which reached ocean water in violation of the Clean Water Act. Under threat of imposing new penalties, the San Francisco Water Quality Control Board is evaluating the actions taken by the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) to remedy the situation. Major capital improvements are required and must be funded by coastal residents. New development proposals need to be critically reviewed with respect to their impact on our outdated and overburdened system infrastructure. 

Read Midcoast ECO’s Sewer Failure Report

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