Application for Consideration of Appointment to the Coastal Advisory Committee (CAC)
Thank you for your interest in being appointed to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Coastal Advisory Committee. The CAC's job will be to review, discuss, and recommend revisions to specified District policies related to the San Mateo County coastal area under consideration for annexation by the District, and will include the responsibility of gathering input from a wide range of community and special interest groups on the Coastside. The District policies to be reviewed include those concerning eminent domain, land acquisition, and agricultural land use.
Please answer the following questions, which will help the existing members of the CAC to select representatives for the three "at large" seats available. The intent of appointing such individuals is to ensure that there is adequate representation for Coastside interests which are otherwise un-represented, or under-represented, on the CAC. "At large" members must live within the area under consideration for annexation. Please limit your answers to the space provided. Please write legibly. This form must be returned to the District office, 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 (fax: 650-691-0485) by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 1999.
1) Briefly describe your reasons for wanting to participate on the CAC.
My husband and I moved to Half Moon Bay in August 1998. We have wanted to move here for a long time and have been continuous visitors for the past ten years. We chose Half Moon Bay not only for its beauty, but for its sense of community. Many other Bay Area cities have developed in ways in which they have lost the ability to interact with their neighbors and be involved with their neighborhood. We intend to raise a family here and be active citizens. I have always worked in public service because it is challenging and important work with long term consequences. I have been following the Prop F initiative since I moved here. I believe annexation of of the coastside by MROSD is a good long-term policy. As a member of the CAC I can be more involved with my community and help shape important policies that will affect the landscape and the community of the coastside.
2) Please describe your personal or professional interest in and knowledge of Coastside land use and land conservation issues, and what expertise or experience you will bring to the CAC.
I work as the Urban Affairs coordinator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco. My work focuses on helping cities find alternatives to development patterns that increase traffic and paved surfaces which in turn increase air and water pollution. Many refer to this as "smart growth". I work with cities in CA, AZ, NV & HI. In the State of the Union, the President announced his "Livability Agenda" which includes an FY 99 budget proposal that the EPA would oversee called the "Better America Bonds". This program will grant bonding authority to local governments for land acquisition. I am working on this program, which could be used by MROSD on the coastside. While my work has not brought me to assisting the coastside, I have considerable experience assisting local governments and I have an extensive networks of experts around the country to draw upon.
3) What is the Coastside interest which you feel is un-represented or under-represented on the CAC, and what are your qualifications to represent those interests?
I do not feel I have lived on the coastside long enough to begin to know all the interests on the coastside. I am qualified to represent environmental interests which want to protect wetlands, (illegible word) the ocean, clean air, drinking water & cleaning up of contaminated land. I do not feel we must stop development but rather develop new ways that respect our environment and community. I will listen all sides, research the ramifications of our policy alternatives and make considered recommendations while remembering the long tern effects.
4) Do you own property in the coastal area under consideration for annexation? If so, please briefly describe its location, size, and use. (It is important for the CAC to be aware of any potential conflicts of interest that may arise that might be relevant to its deliberations.)
No.
5) What clubs, organizations, or interest groups do you belong to or are you affiliated with?
6) Please provide a brief description of your desired outcome of the work of the CAC.
Fair, considered policies that have been thought out for the near and long term. During the CAC process I hope we can educate MROSD about coastside needs and educate our neighbors about the intent and process the MROSD uses to make land-use decisions. I hope the CAC policy recommendations would be made in a way that includes the community's input and support.
Sara Russell
235 Medio Ave.
HMB, CA 94019
Work: (415)744-1029
Home: (650)726-6744