We had friends over for dinner the other night. They are recent transplants from the East Coast. They marveled, “How can a place like Half Moon Bay still exist? Why wasn’t it overrun years ago?” 
How indeed?

Some would attribute it to our vocal and fractious citizenry, protesting infringements on open space. As the legend goes, David Iverson and Deborah Ruddock chained themselves to bulldozers on the bluff tops 20 years ago. Those things help, but, as a Half Moon Bay planning commissioner, I’ve come to appreciate the critical role that our municipal code and General Plan, along with the will of the people, play in the defense of our little outpost.

However plucky our community or well written our city code, it wouldn’t amount to much if not for the power of the California Coastal Commission behind it. The commission and its staff enforce the California Coastal Act, which protects our beaches, scenic views of hillsides, and wildlife habitat from unmanaged growth.

Our entire city is within the jurisdiction of the commission. This means that our city has to follow the policies of the Coastal Act, and any mistakes we make in its enforcement are appealable to the commission itself.

Over the decades, the commission has taken a hands-on approach in protecting Half Moon Bay from the excesses of development interests. In particular, Executive Director Charles Lester has been at the forefront, striking the right balance between environmental protection and appropriate development. One of my fellow planning commissioners spoke recently of the “new spirit of cooperation” Lester is encouraging. The Los Angeles Times reports that, “50 environmental and social justice groups say that Lester’s five-year record of interpreting and enforcing the Coastal Act is a good one” and cites his work increasing penalties for those who deny beach access while also reducing process times for permits and appeals.

This is not enough for big development interests and their lobbyists, however, who have been chipping away at these protections, aided and abetted by Gov. Jerry Brown, who has appointed four aggressively pro-growth commissioners who have targeted Lester. The Times has referred to their attempts to remove him as the “Coastal Commission Coup” and Stanford lecturer Steve Blank says this is a critical time to stand up: “Do we want to look at miles of beaches behind locked gates and wall-to-wall condos … or do we want to share with our grandchildren the same open vistas and glorious beaches that we have today?”

On Feb. 10, Lester will have a public hearing to defend himself against vested development interests. If he loses, we all lose our most stalwart ally in keeping Half Moon Bay so special. Let the governor know you support Lester and his efforts to protect California beaches. Here’s the number: (916) 445-2841.