Saving the coast from the developmentally disabled?

Scott Holmes, past City of Pacifica Engineer is viewed by some as helping save our city from development.  Now he finds himself on the other side of that issue as Project Engineer for the "Big Waive" development.  Having fun yet, Scott?

The Big Wave Group. This is the organizational foundation in El Granada that hopes to provide housing and organic farming employment for adult developmentally disabled individuals, in an environment in which "... adult individuals with developmental disabilities could reach their full potential". The project would also include commercial space for local businesses. 

Sounds good, except in the spirit of "no good deed goes unpunished" the competing organization that would  Stop Big Wave includes those who would "save the coast" by developing almost nothing. Champions all, these include:   Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club,  the Committee for Green  Foothills, Surfrider, San Mateo County League for Coastal Protection.

The Big Wave mixed-use village/farming project was approved by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, but the opposition has allied against the project with other vested-interest local organizations, namely Pillar Ridge Homeowners Association (225 manufactured, mobile home affordable housing community), Montara Water and Sanitary District, Granada Sanitary District, and  the California Pilots Association.  It appears that the water districts would need to improve their sewer plants, and the Pilots Association might be concerned about the land location next to the Half Moon Bay airport. The environmental organizations are concerned about the usual:  frogs, marsh, tsunami and earthquake potential. For related articles see "Big Wave = Big Pave" on the Stop Big Wave website (link above) and  Coastsider, 4/19/11.

News update from The Half Moon Bay Review, 8/11/11. "The proposed Midcoast development known as the Big Wave Project is in a sort of project planning limbo. Local groups in opposition to San Mateo County's decision to greenlight the project have blocked the process on two fronts: by appealing to the California Coastal Commission and through a joint lawsuit against the county. "  The lawsuit hearing is set for November, the Coastal Commission is currently reviewing the appeal. The cost to develop "has already cost the project backers more than $1 million".   Read the full article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh