The Granada Community Services District (GCSD), formerly the Granada Sanitary District, is an independent special district with a five-member, locally elected Board of Directors. Its powers and legal authority as a government agency are derived from Community Services District Law, the Sanitary District Act, the State Constitution, and various other statutory provisions of California law.
Formed on March 18, 1958 under Sanitary District Act of 1923 (California Health and Safety Code §6400), the GSD took responsibility for all facilities, easements, and rights of way from its predecessor agency, the El Granada Sewer Maintenance District of San Mateo County.
The GCSD is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system, sewer services, and solid waste and recycling services for a population of approximately 6,000 people, serving over 2,500 homes and businesses in the unincorporated areas of El Granada, Miramar, and Princeton-by-the-Sea, and the northern portion of the City of Half Moon Bay. The District’s sewer facilities include 35 miles of public sewer lines, and the Naples Beach Pumping Station located in Half Moon Bay.
The District is a Member Agency of the 1976 Joint Powers Agreement forming the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside, which operates a consolidated treatment plant for the GCSD, the Montara Water & Sanitary District (MWSD) and the City of Half Moon Bay.
In October 2014, the GCSD successfully reorganized to become a Community Services District (CSD), adding parks and recreation powers within the unincorporated areas of the District.
To learn more about District operations, click below for our District Bylaws.
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Solar PanelsBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
Solar Panel Proposal at SAM Treatment Plant
SAM explored installing solar panels via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that would save approximately $60,000 annually. However, all three solicited companies proposed placing panels on environmentally sensitive land east of the treatment plant, which a knowledgeable community member (Jimmy Benjamin) documented has red-legged frogs and garter snakes. The proposal appears stalled due to environmental site constraints, the shift from NEM2 to NEM3 net metering which reduces reimbursement rates from 75% to 25%, and a July 1 deadline for permit readiness that will likely be missed. GM Duffy noted that PPA providers take a 20% cut, making a direct loan approach more cost-effective.
Granada Community Services District
SAMBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
SAM Budget Crisis and Montero Force Main Replacement
Director Randle and GM Duffy delivered a detailed and critical report on SAM's infrastructure spending practices. Over the past four to five years, SAM treated its infrastructure budget as a general fund, spending $6.5 million earmarked for the Montero Force Main and emergency generator on 27 plant upgrade projects that went over budget. Only about $1.5 million of the Force Main allocation was spent on its designated purpose. The Force Main has had two leaks in the past year and must now be replaced at an estimated cost of $12-13 million, with construction due by June 2027 per EPA Regional Water Quality Control Board deadlines. A design-build contractor will present a maximum not-to-exceed bid in May. The finance committee recommended a $4.25 million infrastructure allocation for FY26-27 with a likely mid-year budget adjustment of $8-10 million across the three member agencies. GCSD's share is 18%. A Prop 218 process for sewer rate increases may be necessary. The board praised SAM's operational staff while criticizing financial oversight practices, noting other member agency managers also expressed concerns about transparency.
Granada Community Services District
Assessment DistrictBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
Assessment District and Integrated Financing District (IFD) Resolution
The board approved an updated services agreement for special counsel Cameron to prepare a memorandum of facts and policy recommendations regarding the assessment district and its rare integrated financing district (IFD) overlay. The assessment district bonds were paid off around 2022, but the IFD theoretically requires repayment of $9,000 contingent assessments to homeowners. Staff calculated that repayment would take approximately 427 years, making it effectively impossible. The counsel will provide the board with options for policy decisions to simplify administrative procedures and potentially retire the IFD. The assessment district's own funds will pay for the legal services.
Granada Community Services District
Food TruckBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
Food Truck and Vendor Permits on District Property
Following a local food truck owner's request at the previous meeting, staff researched the feasibility of issuing temporary vendor permits on GCSD property. Staff recommended against ongoing permits, citing enforcement challenges with limited staff, potential for multiple unauthorized vendors, complications for the park development permit process, and negative impacts on established local businesses. The board unanimously agreed by consensus not to pursue ongoing vendor permits, though they expressed openness to permitting food trucks for future special events once the park is complete.
Granada Community Services District
Granada Community ParkBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
Granada Community Park and Recreation Center Use Framework
Staff presented a draft use framework for the Granada Community Park and Recreation Center that will accompany the conditional use permit application to the county. The framework was informed by the prior mitigated negative declaration (which used intentionally high maximums), conversations with the Ted Adcock Center, and room layouts prepared by Group Four architects. Director Bowles raised concerns that the ranges presented could be read cumulatively as 19 after-hours events per month, which would alarm community members. The board discussed adding caps on event frequency, distinguishing amplified music from general PA use, limiting evening noise, requiring board approval for large events, and building in a regular reporting mechanism. Staff agreed to revise the document to clarify cumulative usage limits and add noise/amplification provisions.
Granada Community Services District
El GranadaBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
El Granada Median Ownership Dispute with San Mateo County
GCSD staff met with San Mateo County staff regarding the disputed median ownership in El Granada but received no substantive answers. The county has not acknowledged GCSD's legal opinion and historian's analysis challenging the county's position that homeowners own the medians and bear liability for them. Supervisor Ray Mueller appears to be driving the conversation from the county side but has not engaged with concerns raised by GCSD. The board discussed the liability risks homeowners face, referencing tree falls and the abandoned Balboa Circle parklet idea. Board consensus was to wait for the county to respond while making their legal analysis publicly available for homeowners.
Granada Community Services District
Recycling DayBoard of Directors23d agoFebruary 19, 2026
Parks and Recreation Program Expansion
Staff reported on a busy quarter of activities including a recycling day with 132 customers, a sold-out Introduction to Sewing class, completion of an acrylics painting class, and upcoming events including history walks on Feb 28 and April 19, a wild edible plant walk, egg hunt, recycling day, and spring fest with San Mateo County Parks.
Granada Community Services District
Surfer's BeachBoard of Directors58d agoJanuary 15, 2026
Surfer's Beach Coastal Adaptation Plan
The district sent a letter regarding the Surfer's Beach Adaptation Concepts Plan, noting that the study repeatedly referenced parking and land in the area without acknowledging GCSD ownership. The plan's proposals include a 45-foot raised bypass that would bisect the planned park and interfere with underground wastewater infrastructure. Staff noted that the current shoreline hardening protects critical sewer infrastructure and that managed retreat may not be feasible in this location. The board flagged this to SAM's leadership as well.
Granada Community Services District
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