Real projects. Clear results. Debbie has helped move Half Moon Bay forward while protecting what we love most.
Half Moon Bay secured certification of its updated Local Coastal Land Use Plan after nearly two decades of work. Debbie helped lead that effort, which manages growth, protects coastal resources and preserves local control over land-use decisions.
The City and County completed a modern 22,000-square-foot library serving the entire Coastside. Debbie helped oversee the city-county partnership that delivered it — a collaborative Council and county project.
Debbie helped advance Half Moon Bay's first comprehensive framework addressing emissions reduction and adaptation to flooding, wildfire, sea-level rise and other hazards.
As Chair of OneShoreline, Debbie leads regional work on flooding, erosion and wastewater infrastructure — including a new stream gauge on Pilarcitos Creek and a federally funded study to protect the sewage treatment plant.
The City and San Mateo County developed more than 40 modular homes for Coastside farmworkers and their families. Debbie helped advance the city-county partnership; the County played the leading development and funding role.
During Debbie's council service, Caltrans began a major Highway 1 rehabilitation project adding roadway repairs, accessible crossings and Class II bicycle lanes between Moss Beach and Half Moon Bay.
Debbie supported the acquisition and permanent retirement of six environmentally constrained parcels near Arleta Park, protecting open space and directing development away from vulnerable land.
Debbie supported the long-planned renovation of Carter Park, creating a new performance, recreation and community gathering space near downtown.
After years of environmental review and design revisions, Debbie supported the Hyatt Place project, concluding the final proposal balanced economic benefits with the City's coastal planning requirements.
When Debbie returned to the City Council in 2014, Half Moon Bay was still dealing with the financial fallout of the Beachwood litigation. Debbie helped make the difficult budget decisions needed to stabilize City finances, balance the budget, and put Half Moon Bay on a more sustainable footing.
Debbie has consistently pushed to improve public access along Half Moon Bay's coastline. The Coastal Trail is now accessible and graded across the length of the city — Debbie drove improvements on City-owned property while supporting partners, including the Coastside Land Trust, to strengthen connections and public access.
The previous access point at Poplar Beach forced pedestrians and horses to share a steep, hazardous route to the beach. Debbie helped drive the improvements that created safer pedestrian access while preserving equestrian access — Poplar Beach is now safer and accessible to more residents and visitors.
