Two more hearings set on open space district expansion Two more hearings set on open space district expansion (March 24, 2004)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

The next two scenes in the serial drama over whether the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District can expand its boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coastside will be played Tuesday, March 30, in Half Moon Bay, and Wednesday, April 7, in Redwood City.

At its second hearing, on March 17 in Redwood City, the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) set these two hearings to make sure everyone is heard before it makes its formal decision on whether the district can expand its activities to purchase forest, farmland, and open space on the coast.

Mid-Pen, as it is known on the coast, has acquired almost 50,000 acres of land on the Bay side of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties since it was founded in 1972. It manages its lands for resource protection, agriculture, and low-intensity recreation. If the expansion is approved, it plans to buy up to 12,000 acres of land in 15 years from people who want to sell.

Last week's standing-room-only hearing was quieter than the meeting in Half Moon Bay the previous week, thanks to a stern lecture by two LAFCo commissioners and a beefy deputy sheriff. The Half Moon Bay hearing was marred by cheers, jeers, applause and heckling from opponents.

"I was personally insulted," said Supervisor Jerry Hill. "At the end of the day, your friends won't be voting on the issue. We'll be voting. I would appreciate civility."

Another 44 people spoke in Redwood City, with 28 in favor and 16 opposed. Another dozen or so said they would rather speak at the Half Moon Bay hearing.

Testimony followed familiar themes. Proponents said the expansion was needed to preserve the rural coast and its agricultural heritage from sprawl and monster houses. Opponents saw no threat of development, and feared that encroaching government would threaten their property and way of life.

The next hearings will be Tuesday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m., at the Ted Adcock Community Senior Center, 535 Kelly Ave., in Half Moon Bay; and Wednesday, April 7, in the Board of Supervisors chambers, 400 County Center (corner of Bradford Street and Hamilton Avenue) in Redwood City.

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