COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

December 1, 2003

SET TIME:

10:00 a.m.

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 16, 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 approval of a Coastal Development Permit, to allow temporary farm-related entertainment activities, including food sales, a petting zoo, pony and elephant rides, and one children's air balloon slide at 4-C's Ranch from October 1st through October 31st each year. This project is appealable to the California Coastal Commission.

RECOMMENDATION

Deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's decision to approve the Coastal Development Permit, County File Number PLN 2002-00712, by making the required findings and adopting the recommended conditions of approval.

PROPOSAL

The proposal is to incorporate entertainment activities into the normal pumpkin-selling season at the 4-C's Ranch on Highway 92, including pony rides, elephant rides, a petting zoo, one air balloon slide, and the sale of prepared foods, from October 1st to October 31st each year. The project also includes temporary signs advertising the events of the 4-C's Ranch, erection of temporary tents to house the proposed petting zoo, elephant and pony rides, and a temporary stall for food vendors. No permanent structures are proposed nor are permanent improvements to the property required for these activities.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION

The Planning Commission considered the proposal and voted 4-1 (Commissioner Kennedy dissenting) to approve the Coastal Development Permit, except for the use of any exotic animals on-site. Therefore, the elephant rides were not approved, which was the aspect of the decision to which Commissioner Kennedy objected.

SUMMARY

The 4-C's Ranch has participated in fall pumpkin sales for approximately 20 years. To attract more consumers the Cozzolino family decided to add pony rides, a petting zoo, and one children's air balloon slide. In October of 2002, they also offered elephant rides. The County received many complaints regarding the elephants and required that the applicant apply for required permits. The applicant complied with this request and immediately submitted an application to the County for the required permit. The primary public controversy is the use of elephants to generate attraction to the pumpkin season activities, with many objections to allowing the keeping of captive animals or their use for exhibition.

The Planning Commission considered the applicant's proposal and concluded that all the activities proposed could be considered accessory to agricultural uses normally a part of pumpkin season, except for the elephant rides. The Planning Commission also heard public testimony regarding traffic problems on Highway 92 due to both elephant spectators, slowing to watch the elephants and elephant protestors impeding traffic. Taking all concerns into consideration, the Planning Commission approved the application for a Coastal Development Permit allowing temporary farm-related entertainment activities, including food sales, a petting zoo, pony rides and a children's air balloon slide, but the use of exotic animals was prohibited.

On September 24, 2003, staff received an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to deny the use of exotic animals on the property. The appellant and the applicant are requesting that the Board of Supervisors uphold the approval of the Planning Commission, but modify the approval to allow the use of exotic animals for these temporary seasonal activities. Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors uphold the decision of the Planning Commission by approving all requested seasonal entertainment activities, except for the use of exotic animals.