COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Inter-Departmental Correspondence
PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
DATE:			March 19, 2008
BOARD MEETING DATE:			April 8, 2008
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:			10 days, within 300 feet
VOTE REQUIRED:			Majority
TO:		Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM:		Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT:		EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of a request to establish a Class A Agricultural Preserve for two parcels totaling 81 acres located at 11200 Cabrillo Highway, in the unincorporated Pescadero area of San Mateo County.
RECOMMENDATION
1.	Find that the request is consistent with the County General Plan, the Planned Agricultural District/Coastal Development District, the California Land Conservation Act, and Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 44396, relating to the implementtation of the California Land Conservation Act in San Mateo County.
2.	Adopt a resolution to establish the subject property as an agricultural preserve and authorize execution of a California Land Conservation Contract regarding the subject property.
3.	Find that this project is categorically exempt under the provisions of Section 15317, Class 17, (Agriculture or Open Space Contracts or Easements), of the California Environmental Quality Act.
VISION ALIGNMENT
Commitment: “Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.”
Goal 14: “Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship.”
The proposed agricultural preserve contributes to this commitment and goal by restricting uses of the parcels to agriculture, open space and compatible uses. Placing the parcels under contract will ensure that the prime agricultural soils on the site will not be lost by conversion during the life of this contract.
BACKGROUND
Proposal: The applicant is requesting the approval of a Class A Agricultural Preserve for two parcels totaling 81 acres in the Planned Agricultural/Coastal Development Zoning District.
Planning Commission Action: On September 12, 2007, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended to the Board of Supervisors the establishment of a Class A Agricultural Preserve for the subject parcels.
DISCUSSION
The Planning Commission found the request to be in conformance with the General Plan and Agricultural Preserve requirements. The Planning Commission recommends the establishment of the requested Class A Agricultural Preserve. The County Counsel has reviewed and approved the report and Class A Agricultural Preserve Contract as to content and form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County Assessor’s Office has calculated that approval of this agricultural preserve application will result in an estimated yearly loss of taxes of $10,353.76. Of the total estimated yearly loss in taxes to the County, about $2,884.56 per year will be replaced by State subvention money designated to assist County implementation of the Williamson Act. The estimated loss to the County, affected school and other districts per year is as follows: