Council Appoints Two New Members After Marathon Interviews

The Midcoast Community Council filled two of its seven seats after interviewing three candidates in a session that consumed more than 80 minutes of its Feb. 25 meeting — restoring quorum capacity and adding emergency preparedness and neighborhood maintenance expertise to an advisory body facing a growing policy agenda. Outside the appointments, residents pressed hard on Caltrans transparency, senior housing and geological hazards that could reshape property rights along the coast.

• Antonio Conte and David Santoro selected to fill two vacant MCC seats via paper ballot, with the recommendation headed to the Board of Supervisors for formal approval

• Seal Cove geological hazard zones expanded two blocks inland after a new study found the landslide cannot be stopped, raising questions about county liability for permitting homes in the area

• Residents demand Caltrans explain conflicting reports on Highway 1 intersection changes as the multi-asset rehabilitation project disrupts mid-coast commutes

• Former MCC member urges 55-and-older designation for the Cypress Point affordable housing project in Moss Beach, citing county poverty data

• Dark sky lighting letter postponed after the draft wasn't ready; advocate cites international 2200K standard for future consideration

Two New Faces Join the Midcoast Community Council

Why it matters: The Midcoast Community Council, an advisory body representing unincorporated San Mateo County communities from Montara to El Granada, had been operating with five of seven seats filled. Appointing two new members strengthens the council's geographic diversity and its ability to represent residents before the Board of Supervisors — particularly with at least one seat opening again in the November election.

Where things stand: Three candidates sat for interviews after two original applicants withdrew and one failed to appear. Antonio Conte, a Pillar Ridge resident, Half Moon Bay Yacht Club commodore and handyman business owner with prior City of Half Moon Bay employment, pitched himself as a community-first candidate. "There's no personal gain in this. I just want to see the people around me succeed," he said.

David Santoro, an El Granada resident who serves as a CERT zone lead and works for SamTrans, emphasized the mid-coast's isolation and emergency vulnerability. "CERT has opened my eyes about how vulnerable we are on the coast. There's only a couple ways in and out, and I think really being prepared if there's a natural disaster emergency and really getting the communities involved and trying to help one another out," he said.

Santoro also articulated a governance philosophy rooted in listening: "Just because I have a thought doesn't make it right. And I think that's where the conversation comes in to really open your mind to see things from everybody's perspective."

Carl Kale, a Montara property manager with a law degree and nonprofit experience, stressed pragmatic problem-solving during his interview. Council members and public attendees questioned all three candidates about representing community views over personal opinions, conflict-of-interest awareness, public speaking comfort and knowledge of coastal issues including the Coastal Commission, traffic, bike trails and annexation.

Decisions: The council voted by paper ballot. Conte received 5 votes, Santoro received 3 and Kale received 2 — with each of the five council members selecting two names. Conte and Santoro were appointed; Kale was named as alternate.

Secretary Claire Toutant framed the stakes of council service candidly: "We don't get everything we want, but not by a long shot. But we do make a difference in terms of what happens."

Chair Kimberly Williams formally announced: "So the council formally recommends Antonio Conte and David Santoro."

What's next: The recommendation goes to the Board of Supervisors for formal approval and swearing-in. Secretary Toutant noted at least one MCC seat will be open in the November election — and Vice Chair Scott Bollinger confirmed it costs $0 to file as a candidate.

Seal Cove Hazard Zones Expand After Geological Study Finds Landslide Unstoppable

Why it matters: Homeowners in the Seal Cove area of Moss Beach could face new building restrictions, declining property values and uncertainty about the long-term viability of their neighborhoods after a geological report concluded that the active landslide is a large-scale process that cannot be stopped or significantly slowed.

Where things stand: Chair Kimberly Williams and Secretary Claire Toutant attended the Feb. 18 Seal Cove meeting where the geological contractor presented findings. Williams summarized the conclusions bluntly: "Essentially what I heard was that there's not really much you can do because this is a geologic process that's been going on for a long time. Because it's such a large landscape issue, no matter what you do, it's not really going to change it or slow it down."

The hazard zones have been expanded approximately two blocks further inland. The county plans to spend $500,000 on pavement markers for drone-based land movement surveillance. The Montara Water and Sanitary District has already installed above-ground pivoting pipes as an adaptive measure. Geologists plan additional observational studies including torque measurements and drainage analysis, though they believe water is not the primary cause.

The other side: Secretary Toutant warned of broader legal and policy fallout: "It's going to be precedent-stunning in terms of how the county deals with people not being able to live in or build on their property." She noted the county originally permitted building in areas now deemed unsustainable and flagged likely ongoing litigation.

Public commenter Sid also weighed in during the council's discussion of the report, underscoring community concern about the expanding hazard designation.

What's next: Additional geological studies are planned. The expanded hazard zones could restrict future building permits and trigger property value reassessments, with potential county liability for prior permitting decisions.

Residents Press Caltrans on Conflicting Highway 1 Reports

Why it matters: Barricades and construction along Highway 1 are disrupting daily commutes and intersection safety in the mid-coast, but residents say they cannot get consistent answers about what work Caltrans is actually performing — or planning.

Where things stand: Public commenter Dan Hagerty told the council he received conflicting information from the contractor installing new traffic signal poles and from Caltrans staff regarding additional crosswalks at the Capistrano and Coronado intersections. He appealed directly to Marisol from Supervisor Ray Mueller's office for help: "I'm asking for support from your office, Ray Mueller's office, to encourage some kind of an update to the community about what's going on. I mean, they have all these barricades and we just don't know what is the purpose of some of these barricades."

Separately, former MCC member Lynn Erickson reported that Caltrans missed a November 2025 deadline to submit a plan for 75 free parking spaces near Surfers Beach — a condition of the Coastal Commission's coastal development permit approval for the SR1 rehabilitation project. Caltrans received a six-month extension. Erickson offered to present her recommendations to both Caltrans and the MCC.

What's next: Chair Williams noted that Marisol is scheduled to present at the March 25 MCC meeting. The parking plan deadline extension means the community will be waiting months longer for resolution on a Coastal Commission condition tied to the project.

Senior Housing Advocate Pushes for Age Restriction at Cypress Point

Why it matters: County budget data shows 63% of San Mateo County residents living below the poverty line are 55 and older — yet no age restriction was placed on the publicly funded Cypress Point affordable housing development in Moss Beach.

Where things stand: Public commenter Ann Rothman, a former MCC member, repeated her request from the prior meeting that the council write a letter to Midpen requesting that Cypress Point be designated for residents 55 and older. "63% of all the people living in the county below the poverty line are 55 and older. This was exactly what I found back when I was on the MCC," she said, citing data from the Feb. 10 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Rothman argued that the county contributed millions in tax dollars to the project and that seniors are the most deserving demographic. She also encouraged council members to watch full Board of Supervisors budget meetings to understand funding disparities between the coast and other unincorporated areas.

Dan Hagerty voiced full agreement with Rothman's position during his own public comment.

What's next: No formal council action was taken. It remains to be seen whether the reconstituted council will draft the requested letter to Midpen.

Minor Items

• Minutes approved 4-0, with Councilmember Gus Mattammal absent. (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1.)

• Dark sky letter postponed to the next meeting because the draft was not ready. (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1.) Dan Hagerty cited a Board of Dark Sky International proclamation recommending most lights operate at 2200K color temperature, with exceptions at reduced luminance and operating times.

• Stakeholder meeting facilitator contract has been drafted, reviewed by county counsel and returned with edits. The only outstanding question is whether Chair Williams or a county representative signs. The contract is structured as $2,000 for initial stakeholder interviews and $3,000 for the facilitated meeting, not to exceed $5,000 total.

• Councilmember Connie Santilli is exploring the Pescadero microgrid model — facilitated by an organization called Arriba — for potential mid-coast energy resilience improvements after connecting with Patrick Horn from the Pescadero Advisory Council at the State of the Coastside event.

• Vice Chair Scott Bollinger will draft a letter to the San Mateo County Sheriff requesting enforcement against unlicensed electric motorcycles on sidewalks, trails and roads. "I'm going to write a letter to the San Mateo County sheriff asking for enforcement for electric motorcycles that are unlicensed on sidewalks, trails, and roads," he said. The item will appear on a future MCC agenda.

• Dan Hagerty urged the MCC to invite the Department of Public Works to present on upcoming road work that he said threatens the specially colored and textured Avenue Alhambra sidewalk.

• Public commenter Sid reported that Pelagic Restaurant Group (the Catch HMB and Fish Market) is struggling after owner David Westendorf was diagnosed with stage four cancer. The Harbor District provided a rent reduction, and Sid urged the public to patronize the restaurants and suggested the MCC write a letter of support.