The Planning Commission consists of citizen volunteers appointed by the City Council to make decisions or advise the Council on land use and property development issues. The Commission assures that new development is consistent with our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, long-range General Plan and Local Coastal Plan, State laws and other public policies that advance the interests of our community.
Planning Commission Meetings - 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly
Ted Adcock Community Center
535 Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay, CA
Public Comments. Staff will respond to public comments submitted before Monday 3:00 PM, the day prior to the Tuesday scheduled meeting. Comments submitted after that time will be forwarded to Planning Commissioners up to one hour before the Tuesday meeting.
Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA
2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly
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Housing Element Certification and Implementation Plan Update
Planning Director Leslie Lako reported that the housing element has been conditionally certified by HCD (found consistent with state law), but the city was immediately found out of compliance because required rezoning to implement the housing element is still pending. Staff has already begun working on the zoning mapping, pulled from the larger implementation plan update project, and expects the mapping to take approximately four months. An RFP for a consultant on the implementation plan update is currently circulating, with proposals due February 23 and consultant selection expected in April. An ad hoc committee will begin meeting after the consultant is onboarded.
Coastal Development Permit for Straw Flower Shopping Center Fence along Pilarcitos Creek
The city sought a coastal development permit to construct approximately 1,000 feet of chain link fence along the boundary between the Straw Flower Shopping Center parking lot and the Pilarcitos Creek riparian corridor, replacing a dilapidated and largely missing older fence. The project aims to inhibit unauthorized encampments, dumping, and damage to the environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA). The initial study and categorical exemption under CEQA Section 15301 were also presented for approval. Key environmental protections include bird/frog/snake surveys, an on-site biologist, and work windows to avoid sensitive species. Commissioners extensively discussed: (1) the fence length and whether it should extend toward the Bellevue neighborhood to close access gaps; (2) chain link vs. solid fence (chain link provides visibility for monitoring, is harder to defeat, and lasts longer in coastal conditions); (3) fence aesthetics including tighter diamond mesh and possible painting; (4) maintenance plans with a local fence contractor; (5) pedestrian and bicycle safety along the narrow sidewalk in response to public comment from Michelle Dragony; and (6) encampment cleanup procedures with social services. A Bellevue neighborhood landowner (Paul Yoshida) supported the project and urged extending the fence further. The commission approved 4-0 with conditions to remove hold harmless language and direct staff to explore fence extension toward Bellevue.
Half Moon Bay
730 Main StreetPlanning Commission32d agoFebruary 10, 2026
Use Permit for Distilled Spirits at 730 Main Street
Half Moon Bay Brew Company (formerly Half Moon Bay Baruco) sought a use permit to sell distilled spirits at 730 Main Street, a property in the heritage downtown that previously housed Sacrilege Brewery and Restaurant. The use permit is required by the zoning code for on-site consumption of distilled spirits. No expansion of use or major modifications were proposed—the distilled spirits would be accessory to full meals. Staff recommended approval, noting policy support from the Local Coastal Land Use Plan (policies 232 and 233) encouraging vibrant commercial and dining uses downtown. One neighbor (Stark Gallery) submitted correspondence in support. A public commenter raised concerns about drinking in the lower patio area, but the applicant clarified it would be a supervised full-service restaurant with clear boundaries and controlled access. The commission voted 3-0 to approve (Chair Gorn recused, Vice Chair Hernandez absent).
Highway 1 Caltrans Repaving and Accessibility Project Update
City staff member Todd provided an update on the Caltrans Highway 1 project. Workers are currently installing accessibility features including truncated domes at crossings, expected to be completed within a few weeks. Paving is expected to start within a month, weather-dependent. The goal is to complete the majority of work before spring break, particularly around the Kelly and Highway 1 intersection, with remaining work to be finished in summer. Concrete bollards and barricades along Poplar and Magnolia are temporary safety measures for workers doing intersection construction.
The Planning Director reported on permits issued since October 28th: a tree removal permit at 209 Grinelli Avenue, and director's hearing approval of coastal development permits at 700 and 704 Monte Vista Lane. The Monte Vista projects involve converting a former school into two single-family dwellings and two ADUs on one property, and a new single-family dwelling with an ADU on the adjacent property. A phasing agreement for 17 Measure D allocations was also approved. Additionally, eucalyptus tree removal at 694-698 Terrace Avenue was authorized under Governor Newsom's emergency wildfire vegetation clearing proclamation, outside city jurisdiction.
Half Moon Bay
Ad Hoc CommitteePlanning Commission60d agoJanuary 13, 2026
Establishment of Ad Hoc Committee
The Commission adopted a resolution to formally establish an ad hoc committee and appointed Commissioners Rems and DelNagro to serve on it. Staff advised that the resolution should be adopted before appointing members. Because Commissioner DelNagro was absent, the appointment was made contingent on his explicitly confirming his participation with Director Lako. The specific purpose of the ad hoc committee was not detailed in the transcript.
Annual Election of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair
The Planning Commission held its annual organizational meeting to elect new officers. Outgoing Chair Steve Ruddock presided over the election of David Gorn as the new Chair, with Commissioner Rick Hernandez nominated by Ruddock and elected as Vice Chair. A brief discussion occurred about whether to proceed with the Vice Chair election given Commissioner DelNagro's absence, but Ruddock argued the meeting was properly noticed and there was a quorum. Commissioner Rems stated he had no designs on the Vice Chair position.
Half Moon Bay
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