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Join Midpen Open Space Board for a Special In-Person Meeting to Review Draft of Coastside Agricultural Policy in 2023

November 1st, 2023 @ 5:00pm - 7:00pm

In-Person Public Meeting Nov. 1, 2023

Join Midpen’s board of directors for a special, in-person public meeting at the Senior Coastsiders building in Half Moon Bay on November 1 at 5 p.m.where they will review the draft updated Agricultural Policy and consider adopting it.

The purpose of this policy is to guide Midpen’s role in regional agriculture on the San Mateo County Coast in alignment with our coastal mission.

The staff report, and information on how to comment will be available on October 27th, 2023 on Midpen’s public meetings webpage.

 

When Midpen expanded its boundaries in 2004 to include the San Mateo County Coast, where agricultural roots run deep, we also created a special mission statement specific to our work on the Coastside. This unique mission includes not only protecting and restoring natural lands, but also preserving agricultural lands and encouraging viable agricultural use of land resources.

 

Staff have been working on the policy updates through a public process that began in 2019. The policy updates consolidate existing board-adopted agricultural policies; provide required clarification, such as Midpen’s role in providing farmworker housing; and provide a decision-making tool for Midpen staff and board that is informed, consistent and effective.

 

 

Through a public process, staff is creating an agricultural policy to clarify and define Midpen’s role in encouraging viable agricultural use of land resources on the San Mateo County Coast.

Información en Español: Hoja informativa del proyecto.

The policy will:

  • Consolidate existing board-adopted agricultural policies in Midpen’s Basic PolicyResource Management Policies, which include a Conservation Grazing PolicyCoastal Service Plan and other documents to address any inconsistencies and conflicts. See the documents section below.
  • Evaluate gaps and areas requiring clarification, such as Midpen’s role in providing farmworker housing.
  • Provide a decision-making tool for Midpen staff and board that is informed, consistent and effective.

 

 

Coastside’s Special Mission Statement

In the 1990s, as development pressure threatened the Coastside’s scenic beauty, rural character and agricultural heritage, Coastsiders expressed their support for extending the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coastside. In 2004, the coast to ridgeline, from Montara to the San Mateo Santa Cruz county line, officially became Midpen’s Coastside Protection Area. Our Coastside Protection Area Service Plan, which we spent more than seven years developing in collaboration with Coastside residents and agricultural community, guides our work in the region.

Since our boundaries expanded to include the San Mateo County Coast in 2004, Midpen has protected more than 19,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands that contribute to the area’s rural identity, natural beauty and quality of life.

 

Midpen Coastside Mission

To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space land and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.

Goals

Midpen worked with multiple stakeholders to develop the Coastside Protection Area Service Plan. Through the plan, Midpen is committed to:

  • Protecting watershed integrity and water quality
  • Protecting sensitive resources such as habitats for special-status species
  • Providing key links to existing Midpen and other public open space and park lands
  • Providing opportunities for low-intensity recreation
  • Supporting development of an integrated regional trail system coordinated with the San Mateo County Trails Plan
  • Providing opportunities for scientific research, resource conservation demonstration projects, outdoor environmental education programs, and interpretive programs
  • Preserving existing and potential agricultural operations in order to keep the maximum amount of prime agricultural land and other lands suitable for agriculture in agricultural production

 

 


 

More on Midpen Open Space on Coastside Buzz

 

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 2022 5-Year Coastal Plan Includes Establishment of a Dedicated Coastal Field Unit

 

 

 

Midpen Open Space Board of Directors’ Wards 2023

Ward 1 – Craig Gleason

BOARD SECRETARY  Representing Cupertino, Lexington Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga. Term: 2023-2026

 

Ward 2 – Yoriko Kishimoto

BOARD PRESIDENT  Representing Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Loyola, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Stanford. Term: 2023-2026

Ward 3 – Jed Cyr

Representing Cupertino, Sunnyvale. Term: 2021-2024

Ward 4 – Curt Riffle

BOARD TREASURER  Representing Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale. Term: 2021-2024

Ward 5 – Karen Holman

Representing East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale. Term: 2023-2026

Ward 6 – Margaret MacNiven

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT  Representing Atherton, La Honda, Ladera, Loma Mar, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Redwood City, West Menlo Park, Woodside. Term: 2023-2026

Ward 7 – Zoe Kersteen-Tucker

Representing El Granada, Emerald Lake Hills, Half Moon Bay, Montara, Moss Beach, Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside. Term: 2021-2024