Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Elects New Leadership, Forms Ad Hoc Committee

The Half Moon Bay Planning Commission kicked off 2026 with its annual reorganization, handing the gavel to a new chair, seating a veteran commissioner as vice chair, and standing up an ad hoc committee — all in a brisk session that also touched on new housing permits and the progress of a major Highway 1 repaving project.

• David Gorn elected Planning Commission chair in unanimous 4-0 vote, succeeding Steve Ruddock

• Rick Hernandez tapped as vice chair after brief debate over whether to proceed without an absent commissioner

• Ad hoc committee established by resolution; two commissioners appointed, one contingent on confirming participation

• Former school at Monte Vista Lane moving toward residential conversion with ADUs under newly approved coastal development permits

• Highway 1 repaving on track for spring, with accessibility upgrades wrapping up first

New Gavel, Same Mission: Gorn Takes the Chair

Why it matters: The chair sets the agenda tone, manages hearings, and serves as the commission's public face — a role that shapes how Half Moon Bay handles its land use and development pipeline for the year ahead.

Where things stand: Commissioner Rick Hernandez nominated Vice Chair David Gorn to lead the commission, praising his recent tenure. "I think you've done a terrific job. I'd like to make a motion to nominate Vice Chair Gorn to be the chair of the Planning Commission," said Vice Chair Hernandez. Commissioner Jacob (Jim) Rems seconded.

Chair Gorn accepted with a light touch, joking about the transition from outgoing Chair Steve Ruddock: "No, I don't want that chair. I'll just try to channel Steve Ruddock for about a year now."

Decisions: The vote passed 4-0 on roll call (For: Hernandez, Rems, Gorn, Ruddock; Absent: DelNagro).

With the gavel in hand, Chair Gorn immediately raised a question: should the commission hold the vice chair election without Commissioner Christopher DelNagro, who was absent? "So next up on our agenda is actually picking a vice chair, but we don't have one of the members here. I mean, I guess we could do it, but I'm wondering if we could. Should we put that off?"

Commissioner Ruddock pushed back firmly, arguing there was no procedural reason to delay. "I lean in the direction that, you know, our agenda in. The meeting was duly and fully noticed, as usual. And we don't typically skip items of business due to the. When we have a quorum," he said.

Commissioner Rems cleared the path by taking himself out of the running: "Mr. Chairman, I have no designs on the Vice Chair at this time, so I'm happy to concede to someone else."

Commissioner Ruddock then nominated Commissioner Hernandez, calling him "our most experienced Planning commissioner, Commissioner Rick Hernandez, who is a hard worker and a diligent planning commissioner, I think will do a great job as Vice Chair." Commissioner Rems seconded.

Decisions: The vice chair election passed 4-0 on roll call (For: Hernandez, Rems, Gorn, Ruddock; Absent: DelNagro).

Ad Hoc Committee Created — but One Member Still Needs to Say Yes

Why it matters: Ad hoc committees allow a subset of commissioners to do focused work outside full public hearings — a tool cities use to advance complex or politically sensitive policy questions without tying up the full body. The specific purpose of this committee was not detailed during the meeting.

Where things stand: The commission adopted a resolution formally establishing the ad hoc committee, on a motion by Commissioner Ruddock, who said: "I think the ad hoc committee is a good idea. Would benefit the city. And I move that we approve the resolution establishing it at hand." Vice Chair Hernandez seconded. The resolution passed 4-0 on roll call (For: Hernandez, Rems, Gorn, Ruddock; Absent: DelNagro).

The commission then turned to appointing members. Because Commissioner DelNagro was absent, Commissioner Ruddock crafted a creative procedural workaround: "I move that we appoint Commissioners Rem and Del Negro to the ad hoc committee contingent on Commissioner Del Negro, who's absent right now, explicitly confirming with Director Lako that he will do it." Vice Chair Hernandez seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote, 4-0 (DelNagro absent).

What's next: The committee's work cannot begin in earnest until Commissioner DelNagro confirms his participation with Director Lako. The commission's next meeting will likely clarify whether the panel is fully seated — or whether an alternate must be named.

Former School Headed for Housing: Monte Vista Permits Advance

Why it matters: Half Moon Bay, like much of the San Mateo County coast, faces acute housing pressure. Converting underused institutional properties into housing — especially with accessory dwelling units — is one of the few paths to adding supply in a land-constrained, Coastal Zone community.

Where things stand: Director Lako reported that coastal development permits were approved at a director's hearing for 700 and 704 Monte Vista Lane. "So that is on one property, the conversion of the former school into two single family dwellings and two ADUs that are new on that property. And then on the other property, it's a new single family dwelling and an ADU," Director Lako said.

The director's report also noted a tree removal permit at 209 Grinelli Avenue and approval of a phasing agreement for 17 Measure D allocations — a reference to the city's growth management framework that governs the pace of new residential development.

Eucalyptus Removal Under Governor's Emergency Order

Separately, Director Lako flagged a notable tree removal at 694-698 Terrace Avenue authorized under Gov. Gavin Newsom's emergency wildfire vegetation clearing proclamation. "The homeowners there applied for and received permission for this. They're going to take out three eucalyptus trees. There will be cranes operating. It's going to be a pretty major undertaking," the director said, adding that "it's not a project that the city has jurisdiction over at this point, but those trees will be removed."

The distinction matters: the governor's emergency proclamation allows property owners to bypass local permitting for fire-risk vegetation, a tool that has drawn both support for wildfire safety and concern over local tree protections statewide.

Highway 1 Repaving: Paving Expected Within a Month

Why it matters: Highway 1 is Half Moon Bay's lifeline — the primary north-south corridor for residents, commuters, and the coastal tourism economy. Caltrans repaving and intersection work will affect traffic patterns for months, particularly around school zones.

Where things stand: City staff member Todd provided a detailed update. "So currently on the Highway 1 project, they're working on the accessibility features. So like the truncated domes at the majority of the crossings, they expect to be done with that in short order, hopefully within the next couple weeks. Paving will probably start in the next month or so," he said.

The construction team is prioritizing the Kelly Avenue and Highway 1 intersection — a high-traffic node near schools. "They want to focus on especially around the Kelly and Highway 1 intersection. They want to get a lot of that done before spring break and whatever they don't get done, they'll finish that up in the summertime," Todd said.

Vice Chair Hernandez asked about the concrete barriers that have appeared along Poplar and Magnolia streets. Todd confirmed they are temporary: "Part of that work, they put that those up as temporary barricades for the safety of the workers that are doing the work in the intersections."

What's next: Residents should expect paving activity to ramp up in the coming weeks, weather permitting, with the most disruptive work targeted for completion before spring break.

Minor Items

• No public comment was received during the general public comment period.

• The meeting was adjourned by voice vote, 4-0 (DelNagro absent).

What to Watch

The commission's next meeting will reveal whether Commissioner DelNagro has confirmed his seat on the new ad hoc committee — and, perhaps more importantly, what exactly that committee has been tasked with doing. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the Monte Vista Lane projects as they move through construction: converting a former school into homes with ADUs is exactly the kind of adaptive reuse that Coastal Zone cities will increasingly lean on to meet state housing mandates. And for anyone navigating Highway 1 this winter, patience will be a virtue — but the payoff should arrive by spring.