COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

DATE:

January 8, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 23, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

300-foot radius

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of a Coastal Development Permit, Use Permit, and a Resource Management District Permit, and certification of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, to allow the construction of a wireless antenna facility on a 70-acre parcel located at 1589 Higgins Canyon Road in the unincorporated area east of Half Moon Bay.

RECOMMENDATION

Certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve the Coastal Development Permit, Use Permit, and Resource Management District Permit, County File No. PLN 2005-00610, by making the required findings and adopting the conditions of approval.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitments: (1) Ensure basic health and safety for all. (2) Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goals: (7) Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. (20) Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

This project contributes to the above commitments and goals since it will increase the clarity, range and capacity of the wireless network, enhancing service for the public in general, and for public safety personnel. Approval of the requested permits is conditioned to ensure that the project is designed and implemented so that no adverse environmental impacts will result from construction or operation of the facility.

BACKGROUND

Proposal: The applicant is proposing to construct a wireless communications facility consisting of a single antenna structure and associated equipment on a site large enough to accommodate the structure and equipment, approximately 500 sq. ft. in size based on other similar facilities. The final location of the site is yet to be determined, but will be in the area identified on the Project Site Constraints Map, Attachment D. All structures will be contained within a lease area of approximately 500 sq. ft. enclosed by a 6-foot high chain-link fence. Access to the lease area will likely be via an existing dirt road that may be widened and resurfaced with gravel to meet County Public Works and Half Moon Bay Fire District Standards.

Setting: The project site is located approximately 1½ miles east from Highway 1 on Higgins Canyon Road, which are State and County Scenic Corridors, respectively. The project site is a 70-acre parcel located in an area of gently rolling hills covered primarily with grasses and shrubs, with few trees. There are no prime agricultural soils, sensitive habitats, fault zones, or water bodies on the property. Existing development on the site includes a single-family residence, stable and additional outbuildings.

Previous Action: This application is presented to the Board in accordance with a legal settlement reached between the County and the Brauns.

DISCUSSION

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared and posted for review from January 2 to January 22, 2007. Mitigation measures have been identified to ensure that the proposed wireless communication facility will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Any comments received will be reported to the Board at the hearing on January 23, 2007.

Staff has determined that the proposed wireless communications facility, as conditioned, complies with all applicable General Plan, Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Zoning policies and regulations, with particular focus on Visual Quality, given the project’s location within a County Scenic Corridor. The proposed antenna structure and associated equipment, per the conditions and mitigation measures, will be painted and screened to blend with the natural setting, and will be located to avoid steep slopes or projection above ridgelines or skylines. Staff has also determined that all required findings for approval of the Coastal Development Permit, Use Permit and Resource Management District Permit can be made. In particular, the project complies with all LCP policies regarding visual impacts and location of development to avoid natural hazards, as noted above. The project will not be detrimental to the public welfare, since a Radio Frequency (RF) emissions report will be required to ensure there is no public exposure to emissions exceeding Federal Standards. Further, the project will increase the capacity of the existing wireless network, enhancing service for the public and public safety personnel.

FISCAL IMPACT

None.