February 9, 2022 Planning Commission Coastal Development Permit Vote (Off-Leash Pilot Program)

San Mateo County Planning Commission Meeting - VIRTUAL
9AM on Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Zoom Meeting Link: https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/96730171142
The meeting may also be accessed via telephone by dialing +1 669 900 6833 (Local). Enter the meeting ID: 967 3017 1142 then press #.
Meeting Agenda: Click here for the meeting agenda.

On February 9, the San Mateo County Planning Commission will vote on whether or not to approve a Coastal Development Permit for County Parks’ off-leash pilot program at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff—the last step before the pilot can begin. While the Board of Supervisors approved the off-leash pilot plan in Nov. 2021, this fight is far from over. Unfortunately, a handful of objectors who chose to sit on the sidelines during the long public process are now trying to derail the off-leash pilot program during the Coastal Development Permit phase.

TAKE ACTION: If you want legal off-leash trails at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Blufftop, please take these two important steps: 1.) Email the San Mateo County Planning Commission (planning-commission@smcgov.org) by 5pm, Tuesday (2/8) and urge them to grant the Coastal Development Permit (CDP); 2.) Attend the Feb. 9 virtual Planning Commission meeting and speak in support for the off-leash pilot program and CDP. Click here for sample talking points and a short sample comment. Thanks for making a difference! We’re almost there!

January 26, 2022 Midcoast Community Council Meeting
(MCC Letter to the Planning Commission re: County Parks’ Off-Leash Pilot Program CDP)

*VOTE OUTCOME: On January 26, the MCC voted 5-2 to send a letter to the Planning Commission endorsing the off-leash pilot at Quarry Park, but not at Pillar Point Bluff. Click here to read their final letter. While it is disappointing that the MCC disregarded the 4-year County-led public process, the pilot’s CEQA review and Adaptive Management Plan, and all of the thoughtful Dog Work Group and community input that went into crafting the pilot program’s rules and trail plan, the good news is that the MCC is only an advisory council. The Planning Commission vote on February 9 is what counts. See you at the Feb. 9 meeting!

Meeting Agenda Item: 4b. (8:15pm) (MCC) Comment Letter on PLN2021-00333, Pilot Off-Leash Dog-Walking Program (Olson, Toutant, Weil) Presentations on issues regarding off-leash dog-walking at Quarry and Pillar Point Bluff Parks and consideration of (MCC) letter of comment. (Click here to read the comment letter.)

MCC Virtual Meeting
7pm, Wednesday, January 26
Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83446082841?pwd=bUNqVnZaaGd4UjkwVm13TEVka1Avdz09
Meeting ID 834 4608 2841, (for CALL IN PHONE NUMBER: +1-669-900-9128 Password:1991)
Meeting Agenda: https://midcoastcommunitycouncil.org/

After years of staying silent on County Parks’ off-leash pilots program development and final plan, the MCC is now planning to send a comment letter to the Planning Commission regarding the issuing of a Coastal Development Permit. Click here to read the MCC’s draft comment letter. If you live on the San Mateo County coast, please attend this important virtual MCC meeting to voice your support for the off-leash pilots program, which has undergone a thorough CEQA environmental review. We also encourage Coastside residents to email the MCC before the meeting. Emails should be sent to: midcoastcommunitycouncil@gmail.com

Nov. 9, 2021 Board of Supervisors Off-Leash Pilots Vote

*VOTE OUTCOME: We are happy to announce that on November 9, 2021, the SMC Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of San Mateo County Parks' off-leash pilots program at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff (pending a Coastal Development Permit). THANK YOU to everyone who sent emails and attended the marathon meeting! The "YES" votes came from Supervisors Don Horsley, David Canepa, Warren Slocum, and Dave Pine.

Board of Supervisors Meeting - Virtual
9AM on Tuesday, November 9
Zoom Meeting Link: https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/96883203316
Meeting Agenda: https://tinyurl.com/Nov9-SMC-BoardMeetingAgenda
Facebook Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/863404997674899/

It’s finally here! At 9AM on Tuesday, Nov. 9, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether or not to approve San Mateo County Parks’ plan to establish official off-leash trails at two popular Coastside dog walking spots—Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff. While people have walked their dogs off-leash at these sites for 50+ years, County Parks’ new plan would provide the first sanctioned off-leash trails in San Mateo County Parks (initially as 12-month pilots). If you want legal off-leash trails in San Mateo County parks, please email the Board of Supervisors and provide a public comment at this important virtual meeting.

County Parks Dog Plan - Important Feb. 6 Parks Commission Meeting

*VOTE OUTCOME: We are happy to announce that on February 6, 2020, the SMC Parks Commission voted in support of San Mateo County Parks’ off-leash pilot plan. Thank you to everyone who wrote comments and attended this packed out meeting! The next step is the SMC Board of Supervisors’ vote on the pilot program. Stay tuned!

Parks Commission Vote on Off-Leash Pilots Recommendation for Quarry Park & Pillar Point Blufftop
4pm, Thursday, February 6
Captain's House Conference Center at Coyote Point County Park
1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
*Note: $6 parking fee will be waived for meeting attendees.
Facebook Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/558473861681969/

Our fight for fair trails access in San Mateo County Parks is at an important junction.  After a year of County Parks Dog Work Group meetings and public pressure, BOTH Quarry Park and Pillar Point Blufftop (our historic off-leash areas) have been recommended for 12-month off-leash pilots. 

However, we still have a major hurdle.  Our County Parks Commission and Board of Supervisors need to approve it. 

That’s where you come in.  If we want LEGAL off-leash trails at Quarry Park and Pillar Point Bluff (initially as 12-month pilots), it is critical that dog owners attend the Feb. 6 Parks Commission vote meeting and the following Board of Supervisors vote meeting in March or April (date TBD).  These next two meetings will determine if the off-leash pilots move forward providing the first sanctioned off-leash trails in San Mateo County Parks.  See you at the meetings!

Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Take Action to Stop the 2019 Superintendent’s Compendium!

On the Friday before Labor Day weekend (8/30/19), the GGNRA released a Superintendent’s Compendium that attempts to implement parts of the withdrawn Dog Management Plan—but without a public input process.  If the National Park Service gets its way, we will lose valuable dog walking trails and access at Rancho, Mori Point, and Milagra Ridge. These aren't the only worrying changes for dog walking recreation.  NPS is misusing the Superintendent’s Compendium to erode dog walking recreation throughout the GGNRA. Please submit a public comment by Nov. 27 saying “NO” to the Compendium.

Important News - NPS Suspends the GGNRA Dog Plan

On January 10, 2017 the National Park Service issued a public statement saying that it is suspending its final decision on the dog plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area pending an agency investigation into staff use of personal email for agency business in the dog management planning process.  The emails were brought to light via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit brought by Bay Area recreation and dog groups including Coastside DOG.  Learn more at WoofieLeaks.com. 

Congresswoman Jackie Speier is calling on the Department of Interior Inspector General to conduct a full and public inquiry into this matter and for the National Park Service to rescind the GGNRA Dog Management Plan. (Click here to read the full press release.)

SFGate: (1/9):  Park Service delays GGNRA dog management plan

SF Examiner (1/10):  Park Service puts proposed GGNRA dog rules on hold

San Jose Mercury News (1/10):  National Park Service delays new dog restrictions

KPIX-TV online (1/10):  New GGNRA Dog Walking Rules On Hold In Wake Of ‘WoofieLeaks’ Documents

Half Moon Bay Review (1/12): Park Service Pulls Dog Rule after Emails Reveal Alleged Bias