Compare to Pacifica. How is eco-tourism is not going to save our economy? Conventionally understood development is need, 10 years past due.
From Mercury News/Julia Scott, 6/29/11. "A
Half Moon Bay pumpkin farm may continue to offer controversial
"agritainment," such as train rides, a hay maze, a petting zoo and a
bounce house, under an agricultural permit, county planning
commissioners decided Wednesday.
The San Mateo County Planning Commission voted 3-1 to award the Arata Pumpkin Farm a short-term agricultural permit and coastal development permit, even though only a very small portion of the 6-acre farm is actually devoted to growing pumpkins and other active agriculture. In fact, many of the pumpkins it sells to the public each October are purchased from other local farms.
The
hearing exposed a rift over the new face of farming in San Mateo County
and in many other counties across the state, which have sought to boost
profits by adding tourist entertainment in the name of farm education.
The commissioners acknowledged stretching the meaning of "agriculture"
to justify their decision. "We're obviously breaking new ground
with this -- it seems we're all, as a county, struggling with this,
fudging at the borders where we allow agritainment, which we all know
isn't farming," said Planning Commissioner Chris Ranken." Read More.....
Posted by Kathy Meeh
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