Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: San Mateo County Parks Department's Off-leash Dog Recreation Pilot Program, Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, and required County Ordinance Code amendment
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Authorize the San Mateo County Parks Department to commence the Off-leash Dog Recreation Pilot Program (pending issuance of a Coastal Development Permit); and
B) Adopt a resolution certifying the Off-leash Dog Recreation Pilot Program's Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (including its Errata), dated October 28, 2021; and
C) Introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 3.68, consisting of sections 3.68.080 and 3.68.180, to Title 3 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, establishing specified legal opportunities for off-leash dog recreation within San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Areas, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety.
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BACKGROUND:
At the October 23, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board amended the County Ordinance Code to authorize on-leash dog recreation on County park trails deemed appropriate by the San Mateo County Parks Department ("Department"). At the same meeting, the Board directed the Department: (1) to develop a recommendation for expanded on-leash dog access opportunities in County parks; and (2) to develop a recommendation for an off-leash dog recreation pilot program. To assist in this process, the Department created the San Mateo County Parks Dog Work Group ("Work Group"), which was comprised of two Parks Commissioners, three park rangers, members of the Midcoast Community Council and Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council, and representatives from the dog owner, conservationist, equestrian, and mountain bike communities.
After holding monthly public meetings for one year and receiving public feedback, the Work Group ...
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