COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

October 7, 2003

SET TIME:

9:00 a.m

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 28, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to approve a Coastal Development Permit for a domestic well on a legal substandard size parcel located on 13th Street, Montara, in the unincorporated Montara area of San Mateo County. This project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission.

RECOMMENDATION

Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's decision to approve the Coastal Development Permit for a domestic well, County File Number 2001-00681, by making the required findings and adopting the conditions of approval.

PROPOSAL

The applicant is proposing to drill a domestic well on a legal substandard 4,500 sq. ft. parcel, located in the R-1/S-17 zoning district of Montara.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION

The Planning Commission denied the appeal of the project (4-0, Commissioner Nobles was absent) and upheld the Planning Administrator's approval of the proposed project.

SUMMARY

The Planning Commission denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Administrator's decision and approved the project, pursuant to all applicable San Mateo County Zoning Regulations. An appeal was filed and the appellant is objecting to the approval of the domestic well based on several issues surrounding its long-term operation and its environmental consequences.

The appellant believes approval of new wells will negatively impact his well, other existing wells in the immediate area and that the County has not thoroughly assessed the current well situation to determine how many more wells the Montara Aquifer can adequately support.

Staff has reviewed the project and determined that it complies with the applicable regulations and policies. In addition, the County is currently in the process of conducting a Phase II Study of the San Mateo County Midcoast aquifers. Phase II will analyze data and develop alternatives and recommendations.