Linda Mar Beach - no public parking fees

 Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop, 3/27/12. "City withdraws application for paid beach parking from Coastal Commission"

"Coastal Commission staff required new conditions the city finds onerous on the application for Linda Mar State Beach parking.  As a result, the application to charge for parking at the beach has been dropped by the city. 

And the winner is...

City staff has worked since 2007 on seeking approval of paid parking at the beach. The issue was finally placed on a Dec. 2011 Coastal Commission agenda. A few days before the meeting, Coastal Commission staff prepared a report that required staff monitor streets within a half mile of the beach monthly during winter and weekly during summer, provide 30-minute free spaces in the parking lot and end the parking permitting in three year's time, requiring another Coastal Commission review at that time.

City staff met with the Coastal Commission staff and proposed alternative solutions to the street monitoring every other month, and within 1,500 feet from the beach. Staff told Coastal Commission staff the free parking spaces would be difficult to enforce. Staff also requested the Coastal Commission agree to a longer duration for the permit, as the parking machines have a lifespan of five years and cost $40,000.

Coastal Commission staff responded that it would impose all the original conditions except agreed to an adjustment for the neighborhood monitoring. Coastal Commission also informed the city it was going to restrict the city's ability to close the parking lots in the evening. Currently, the lots are closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
In addition, the city received an enforcement letter from the Coastal Commission and is taking steps to comply with it. On March 7, the Coastal Commission's Jo Ginsberg, enforcement analyst, sent an enforcement letter to the city's project coordinator Lizzy Claycomb informing her the Coastal Commission believes the city is in violation of a coastal act by closing the beach at night, and by putting up a chain and signs indicating the beach is closed. That development would have required a permit, the letter said.
The city spends $160,000 on beach maintenance, restroom maintenance, water, rangers and habitat protection every year and has pinned its hopes in recovering that on the paid parking. City staff expected to generate $300,000 on the paid parking. "Without paid parking, we will likely not be able to increase those services to include items such as greater enforcement of leash laws and monitoring of the snowy plover protections," the city staff report reads.

While members of the public spoke both for and against charging for beach parking at Monday's meeting, the city council members expressed their frustration about working this through with the Coastal Commission.

There are two years left on the city's contract with the state to operate Linda Mar State Beach. If the city wants to pursue another way to run the beach, the state requires one year's notice.  When asked if he thought the issues were going to be resolved with the Coastal Commission, City Manager Steve Rhodes said he was not optimistic until he had a chance to meet with the director instead of staff members. "We've improved the beach so much. We've been working for more than six years now on parking and the Coastal Commission has put in road blocks," said Council Member Mary Ann Nihart.
"We at least need to close the bathrooms at night. We have jumped through every hoop. They have known we closed the beach at night for the last five years," Mayor Pete DeJarnatt said."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Beach parking, more understanding

Our readers will likely help you understand the coming beach parking policies, Bob. And good luck submitting your resume for ranger.

Pacifica Tribune, 4/23/13, Letters to the Editor.  "Beach parking" by Bob Spence

"Editor:  Please help me correct any misunderstandings I may have regarding the article on City Council's plan for beach parking. As I understand it, they want to spend $60,000 to purchase three digital pay stations at the Pacifica State Beach and the community center. If parking placards will be issued to members of Seniors in Action, does that include beach access? I saw nothing mentioned about a cost for handicap spaces in any location.

Yep, finding Ohlone Indian remains may be your job

The article states that this will generate an estimated $308,809 in revenue with an estimated cost of $379,000, leaving an annual loss of $70,191 but less than half our current costs of $160,000. If these figures are correct and the pay stations are a one-time purchase we will have $219,000 left to hire two additional park rangers. The highest salary for a park ranger is $63,180 a year (or three for $189,540) plus benefits. Where does the rest of the money go and what services will the rangers provide beyond parking enforcement? I have lived in Linda Mar for over 30 years and the only time I remember seeing a ranger was recently, when a sailboat grounded itself off shore. Of course, everyone showed up that day, so no clue as to if that was the Pacifica ranger. 

In the interest of reducing city costs, I am submitting my name to be a city employee as a Pacifica State Beach Parking Attendant. I will decline any health or pension benefits but in lieu of same, will accept six weeks of vacation plus holidays per year. This will keep the job and the spending local and at only $37.50 per hour or $78,000 annually, it would be less than a fully benefitted rangers salary. I will even supply my own uniform."

Reference - Pacifica Tribune/Jane Northrop/Staff, 4/16/13. "Paid parking at Pacifica state beach and community center passed." "City Council approved last Monday a long in the works plan to implement paid parking at the beach. The Pacifica State Beach parking lot and the parking lot at the front of the community center will soon have digital pay stations. The new charges -- $3 for less than four hours, $6 for four hours or more and $50 for an annual parking permit -- will go into effect July 12. The machines will accept debit and credit cards as well as cash."     Related - Fix Pacifica article reprints.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Meeting to finalize Redevelopment Agency tax obligation, Monday, November 30, 2015

Today, the following City Successor Board to the Redevelopment Agency meeting replaced any previously scheduled Planning Commission meeting for Monday, November 30, 2015 on the City Calendar; however, there was also no Agenda posted for a Planning Commission meeting. 

The City of Pacifica Successor Agency to the City of Pacifica Redevelopment Agency will meet at the City Council Chambers, 2212 Beach Boulevard. The meeting begins at 5:30 PM. 

City loan to prior Redevelopment Agency
for Rockaway Beach parking, $3,237,150.
Enforceable State tax obligation, $136,442.

Board members:  Lorenzo Hines, Jr. (representing: City of Pacifica RDA Employees); Pete DeJarnatt (representing San Mateo County Library, JPA); Raymond Chow (representing San Mateo Community College District); Mike Callagy (representing San Mateo County); Penny Bennett (representing San Mateo County); Josie Peterson (representing Pacifica School District); Mary Ann Nihart (representing City of Pacifica).

 City of Pacifica Agenda, 11/30/15, pdf pages 19. 

1.  Roll call, welcome and introductions. 
2.  Approve 9/29/15 Minutes.
3.  Consideration and approval of second amended long-range Property Management Plan, with minor, technical and clarifying revisions to the Plan.  Resolution, pages 5-8. 
4.  Public comments.
5.  Board Comments.
6.  Adjourn. 
----------
From the above Agenda, computer pages noted below. 
Resolution. page 6.  ...."... The City of Pacifica loaned $3,237,150 to the Redevelopment Agency to finance implementation of the Redevelopment Plan, including the construction and improvement of off-street parking lots.  .... ...The Redevelolpment Agency owned six parcels of real property containing approximately 35,100 square feet which had been developed for surface parting lots utilizing City funds loaned to the Redevelopment agency..." Page 7. .... "September 22, 2015, the California Legislature enacted SB 107... amending various provisions of the Redevelopment Dissolution Law. ... such parking lots and facilities do not generate revenue in excess of reasonable maintenance costs of the properties. Whereas, the Oversight Board hereby finds and determines that that the parking lots are dedicated solely to public parking; that the parking lots do not generate any revenue whatsoever; and that the City incurred, and continues to incur, reasonable and necessary cost for maintaining the parking lots."

Overview (background information).   Page 11.  ... "March 1986, the Pacifica City Council adopted a Specific Plan pursuant to the California Planning and Zoning Law for the Rockaway Beach area within the City. ...   Page 12.  .... "In July 1986, the City Council adopted a Redevelopment Plan for the Rockaway Beach Project Area. ... .... .
In June 2000 and December 2009, the Former RDA adopted Implementation Plans for the Rockaway Beach Redevelopment Project. The Implementation Plans reported that the activities carried out by the Former RDA had resulted in the completion of visitor-serving commercial uses, three hotels, a new off-street parking lot and improvements to existing parking areas. At the time the Former RDA was issolved, it owned a total of six parcels which were developed for two inter-connected surface parking lots located on the same block. These parking lots were an essential prerequisite for the development of nearby commercial properties, and the loss of the parking lots would leave those properties with little or no off-street parking spaces to serve their customers and occupants. In addition, the parking lots are located a short distance from public beach and open space areas and are available for public users of these recreation aras.  The parking lots are open to the public, operate free of charge and do not generate any revenue. The City provides funding for necessary maintenance and repairs."  
Page 13, comment .... The Successor Agency believes that the market value of the parking lots is severely constrained by the absence of other parking to support existing development and by applicable City planning policies, rules and regulations which envision continued use of the parking lots for public parking."  
Page 15, 16, Location chart/map.  Page s 17-19, State of CA/Department of Finance, "Long-range property management plan checklist".

Reference, 9/29/15 Meeting - Agenda,  Resolution, Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS), 04-2015, Resolution 04-2015 (ROPS 15-16B).  and ROPS Payment Summary, Detail,15-16B. Page 1, items H, I, enforceable tax obligation, $136,442. Minutes 9/29/15.  Redevelopment Successor Agency Archives.

Note photograph titled "then" by Mark Alburger, composer/director,  from Mark Alburger, 2014 blog.

 
Posted by Kathy Meeh

Pacifica Linda Mar Beach fees begin today, August 16, 2013

Free parking at Linda Mar Beach is the old days

City of Pacifica parking at Linda Mar Beach information.   A parking receipt or pass is required to park in both the north and south Pacifica State Beach Parking lots on Highway 1 and the Crespi Parking Lot located on the corner of Crespi Dr. and Highway 1 adjacent to the Pacifica Community Center.

Daily Parking Fees.  The daily fee to park one vehicle in the Parking Lots is $3.00 for a period of less than 4 hours and $6.00 for a period of more than 4 hours (or all day).  This fee is for one motor vehicle and is non-transferable.  This fee authorizes vehicle parking during paid parking hours on the calendar day (or the remaining portion thereof) that the fee is paid.  Once purchased, the daily permit must be placed face up on the dashboard of the vehicle so that it is viewable at all times by an enforcement officials. 

Beach Parking Paid Hours of Operation. Hours for paid parking will be from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M each day. Parking of a vehicle in the Parking Lots without clear exterior display of a valid receipt or valid pass for said vehicle will constitute an offense for which a parking citation may be issued to the registered owner of said vehicle.  

Annual Parking Pass.  To Purchase a Pass click here.

Note:  photograph from Courier Mail News. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Linda Mar Beach parking, a complaint

Linda Mar Beach parking,
a city revenue source

Pacifica Tribune, Letters to the Editor, 5/27/14.  "Bring back free beach parking" by Ronald and Patricia Reiley"

"Editor:  Regarding the increase in fees for Pacifica State Beach at Linda Mar, this is a state beach, taken over for administration by the City of Pacifica. It is important to note that Pacifica now intends to charge $65 to park in one of three locations for that one beach.  An annual state day use parking pass, valid at almost all state beaches and parks, is $75 and discounted for seniors.

Enforcement by the city "rangers" ranges from lax to non-existent. They do empty the trash cans, sweep up around the restrooms and write parking tickets. In addition, they also service the Sharp Park pier and picnic area, where there is no parking fee. So, funds are being diverted from Linda Mar parking fees for routine city maintenance at other locations. Clearly bait and switch from what was promised as a rationale to impose these fees in the first place.  Half Moon Bay state beach has real rangers and vigorously enforces their rules. No dogs on the beach and only on leash elsewhere. No alcohol. They patrol and cite. Citizens of Pacifica would be better served if the beach was returned to the State of California and fee parking discontinued."

Note:  photograph by Mitchell Scuba from Scuba San Mateo, "Linda Mar Beach dive site information."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

4th of July, 2016, activities

Fourth of July City of Pacifica/PB&R/Special Events, "42nd Annual Frontierland Park Celebration", Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. And 'safe and sane' Fireworks at the beach.

Sparklers always

City of Pacifica/Police/Safety, "Fireworks."

"Pacifica is one of the few cities in the Bay Area to allow legal, "safe & sane" fireworks for the July 4th holiday.
However, the City of Pacifica has zero tolerance for illegal fireworks. Persons caught with illegal fireworks will be cited and may be fined and/or sentenced to one year in jail. To report individuals using, possessing or selling illegal fireworks, call the non-emergency Pacifica Police dispatch line at 650-738-7314.
Illegal fireworks are prohibited on all Pacifica beaches according to the California Health and Safety Code. There are NO fireworks of any type allowed on any beaches in the City of Pacifica, except for a defined portion of Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar.  There are also two other sites where legal "safe and sane"  fireworks are allowed.  Legal fireworks must have the State Fire Marshal seal of approval." 

The defined portion of  Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar where "safe and sane" fireworks are allowed is described as the area  immediately west of the north parking lot of Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar to approximately ten feet  (10') east of the tideline and immediately north of the Taco  Bell Restaurant (5200 Coast Highway) to the prolongation of the north end of the north Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar parking lot.

Two Other Sites: 1)  South Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot. 2)  South Rockaway Beach parking lot on the asphalt area of the parking lot.

Other safe and sane fireworks displays

There is no parking of motor vehicles allowed in the south Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar and south Rockaway Beach parking lots on the 4th of July in order to accommodate for the use of the area for "safe and sane" fireworks.

To make July 4th in Pacifica safer and more enjoyable for all, the City has adopted a new fireworks ordinance. The new ordinance places an 11:00pm curfew on the use of "safe and sane" fireworks and imposes a $1,000 administrative fine on individuals who use illegal fireworks. View the full ordinance and accompanying resolution."

Related. Pacifica Beach Coalition, "Special post 4th of July beach cleanups, 3 locations, Tuesday July 5th. Join Us!" Online Sign up & Waiver Form.

Note: Photographs/graphics.  Fireworks. Boy from The Daily Gazette (Scarborough, Maine), 3/15/15/Associated Press, 7/4/12. Other displays from  CBSSF Bay Area 5, 6/26/16, "Safe & Sane' Fireworks Still Illegal In San Leandro." Frontier Park graphic from the City article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Parking fees may be coming to you soon

  The City parking meter revenue source will partially fund Linda Mar State Beach expenses.

Look, buy, but don't park in our parking lot

Usually you get your money's worth

Pacifica Tribune, author unknown, 6/18/13.  "Pacifica State Beach parking program begins July 12."

"Pacifica State Beach parking program begins July 12.  A parking receipt or pass is required to park in both the north and south Pacifica State Beach Parking lots on Highway 1 and the Crespi Parking Lot located on the corner of Crespi Dr. and Highway 1 adjacent to the Pacifica Community Center.

Daily Parking Fees. The daily fee to park one vehicle in the Parking Lots is $3 for a period of less than four hours and $6 for a period of more than four hours (or all day). This fee is for one motor vehicle and is non-transferable. This fee authorizes vehicle parking during paid parking hours on the calendar day (or the remaining portion thereof) that the fee is paid. Once purchased, the daily permit must be placed face up on the dashboard of the vehicle so that it is viewable at all times by an enforcement officials.

....  Passes may be purchased at the Pacifica Parks, Beaches and Recreation Office, 1810 Francisco Blvd., or online at http://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/rec_department. Please bring the license plate number of the vehicle for which you wish to purchase the pass. The cost is $50 for the Annual Parking Pass."  Read article.

Note - photographs. Shark warning fom Pacifica Riptide/KBO News photo, Taco Bell from Travels with Lucy.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

COVID-19 Update July 2020, and 4th of July weekend

From the City of Pacifica, 7/2/20,  COVID-19 Update:  Mayor Deirdre Martin.

Happy 4th of July 2020.. be good !

Pacifica Community Members, This time of year usually finds us outside, enjoying friends, family, and Pacifica’s beautiful scenery. However, this year with COVID-19 concerns continuing and increasing, we’re reminded that we cannot take our normal routines in Pacifica for granted during this pandemic.  The City of Pacifica, as well as Half Moon Bay, in alignment with recent Governor orders, made the difficult decision to close beaches and beach parking lots during the holiday weekend due to concerns with the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in our region. It is a loss we all can feel but a necessary step to protect the safety and health of our residents.

Now, more than ever, we must remain diligent in following public health guidelines. Prolonging the necessity of COVID-19 restrictions in our region will take a monumental toll on the physical and economic health of our region. Folks need to get back to work, back to school, back to health. For the sake of our community, please do your part to #SlowTheSpread of COVID-19. Easy to do and for the benefit of all: wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance.

Here are several important updates to keep in mind as we go into the holiday weekend and into summer: 

.  Beach and Beach Parking Lot Closure: ... all Pacifica beaches and beach parking lots will be closed for the long Fourth of July weekend, from sunrise Friday, July 3 to sunrise Monday, July 6. The Order Of The Director Of Emergency Services relating to temporary closure of beaches and beach parking facilities (Order No. 2020-03) can be viewed on the City’s website at https://www.cityofpacifica.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=1356.224&BlobID=17095. 

.   Moratorium on Fireworks on our Beaches/Lots:  Pacifica Police Department will be taking a zero tolerance stance on those found in possession of or discharging illegal fireworks. Also, those hosting gatherings will be fined if illegal fireworks are discharged from their property, regardless of who discharged the firework. The fine for possession or discharge of an illegal firework is $1,000. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City has issued an emergency order prohibiting the discharge of Safe and Sane Fireworks from all City operated parking lots. The Order (Order No. 2020-01) can be viewed at https://www.cityofpacifica.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=65682.35&BlobID=17103. 

.   Stay Local:  Data from San Mateo County Health Office show that occurrences of COVID-19 continue to rise in our County. Please continue to recreate and conduct essential business close to home. 

.   Reusable Bags: The State has lifted the ban on using personal reusable bags at stores. Cal/OSHA “COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Grocery Stores” states that when customers bring their own bags the safety protocols are the following:  1) Bags make no contact with employees. 2) Customers are to leave their own bags in the shopping cart. 3) Bags are not placed on conveyor belts or other area outside shopping cart.  4) Customers do not bag groceries in the checkout area.  5) Groceries can be placed in a cart and bagged elsewhere by the customers.

 

If you haven’t yet, sign up for the City’s e-newsletter "Connect with Pacifica" to receive weekly updates here: www.cityofpacifica.org/government/city_manager/cwp/default.asp, and sign up for San Mateo County Alert system here: hsd.smcsheriff.com/smcalert. Also consider printing this letter to distribute to neighbors whom you think may not be on-line very often.

Please remember the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance. Stay 6’ apart. The Pacifica Community is doing a great job; together (in spirit) we will get through this trying time. We are #PacificaStrong.  Sincerely,  Deirdre Martin, Mayor 

--------------------

Note photograph from SLR Lounge/David J. Crewe,"4th of July 2020 Deal Dash".

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Fireworks on Linda Mar Beach, CA State requirement says no

Meantime, paid parking at Linda Mar Beach is moving forward

 Pacifica Tribune letters to the editor, 12/18/12,  "Re Fireworks" by Ray Ramos

"Editor.  After reading your Jane Northrop's article "City Council forms fireworks task force" in the December 12-18, 2012 Pacifica Tribune and watching the Dec. 10, 2012 City Council meeting on PCT at which the Council provided direction/guidance to the City Manager on the formation and focus for a nine-member Fire Works Task Force (FWTF), I would like to offer the following:

Fireworks in the paid parking lot?

The City Council indicated that the FWTF should try to bring consensus recommendations rather than by vote recommendations to them ideally prior to July 4, 2013 and that a recommendation on a total ban of fireworks in Pacifica should be provided. During public comment it was noted that there already exists a State of California mandated ban of all fireworks at the Linda Mar State Beach. The City of Pacifica has a lease to manage and operate the Linda Mar State Beach from the State of California. If there is already a State of California ban on fireworks at the Linda Mar State Beach then all the FWTF would need to do is confirm the prohibition exists and perhaps offer some recommendation regarding compliance measures to lessen or eliminate the need to clean up fireworks from Linda Mar State Beach.

What didn't get mentioned at the City Council meeting nor in Jane Northrop's article was what may be of interest in regard to the FWTF and Linda Mar State Beach is that on Nov. 15 the California Coastal Commission (CCC) granted approval of the City's application to institute paid parking at the Linda Mar State Beach, and that City staff is now beginning the process to put the plan in place. This information was conveyed to me in an e-mail communication from Mr. Steve Rhodes, City Manager for the City of Pacifica in which Mr. Rhodes also indicated that he anticipates that it will be either May or June before the program is actually commenced at the Linda Mar State Beach. The parking fee program at the beach includes funding for two beach rangers dedicated to the management, operation, and enforcement of the beach rules who will have citation authority. The CCC indicated whatever funds generated by the parking fee program need to be dedicated to expenses incurred as a consequence of the management and operation of the Linda Mar State Beach.

Mr. Rhodes represented the City of Pacifica at the Nov. 15 CCC meeting held in Santa Monica. For those who may be interested, the CCC meeting may be viewed at www.coastal.ca.gov after clicking to video archives for the Nov. 15, 2012 meeting.  I hope the nine-member FWTF will be able to reach consensus recommendations and provide them to the City Council in a timely manner to enable community stakeholders to adapt appropriately prior to July 4, 2013."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Early transition to paid parking at Linda Mar Beach

Pacifica Tribune "My Turn" article, 9/3/13.  "The beginning days of paid parking" by Chris Fogel

Linda Mar State Beach parking lot

"The City of Pacifica's paid parking at Linda Mar Beach got underway on Aug. 16 with little fanfare and on the following Saturday, I visited the three affected lots to get a sense of how the program was being received. 

Where the parking permit goes

Use of the lots appeared to be down slightly with anywhere from one-third to one-half of the parking spots occupied. Of those cars present, only half appeared to be displaying parking ticket receipts on their dashboards. Parking along side streets and adjacent lots (Crespi Drive and Pedro Point Shopping Center) was heavier than usual. Those avoiding the pay lots by parking in nearby shopping centers did so at their peril and ran the risk of their cars being towed.   Read article.

----

Related-  Stoke Report blog, Comment from 67, "Rant pass your Linda Mar Parking pass on..."  "Just a little something I did today and was hoping that others will pay it forward. If you pay with a credit card on the new parking meter you'll basically end up with more time than you need....something like $3 for four hours. I ended up surfing for 2 and passing my little piece of paper along to someone else so they could get free parking. Just a thought if you feel like being a nice guy."   

Note photos/graphics:  Linda Mar parking lot from  Scuba San Mateo.  "Correct permit location" from the Stoke Report above.

Posted by Kathy Meeh