2023/March

The Coastal Commission’s March meeting took place on March 8-10 in Half Moon Bay. The two-day agenda was on the lighter side with several of the controversial items postponed, including the Pacifica local coastal program update. The LHO Mission Bay Hotel redevelopment faced substantial community pushback and was withdrawn before the hearing. During public comment on Wednesday, several local residents spoke to the tragic mass shooting in Half Moon Bay in January and the need for improved living conditions for low income workers and their families. The Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction over affordable housing was reduced by legislative action in 1981 but remains a topic of debate. On Wednesday morning, Commission staff gave an update on progress toward the Hollister Ranch Coastal Access Program and presented the draft Sustainability Principles, which would set guidelines and next steps for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through land use policy and permitting decisions. Later in the day, the Commission found “Substantial Issue” with a Santa Cruz County permit for shoreline armoring at Twin Lakes State Beach near a contested coastal access point at Geoffrey Drive - this item resulted in a vote chart.