Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Amendment to the San Mateo County Parks Department Fee Schedule to establish a fee for dog-friendly camping facilities
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution:
A) Authorizing an amendment to the Parks Department's fee schedule to establish a fee for dog-friendly camping facilities within the San Mateo County parks system; and
B) Finding that the Huckleberry Flat Campground project qualifies for a California Environmental Quality Act Exemption as a Replacement or Reconstruction (Class 2) and New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (Class 3).
body
BACKGROUND:
In 1924, the County of San Mateo opened its first park - Memorial County Park ("Memorial Park"). Situated among the redwood trees in unincorporated Loma Mar, Memorial Park serves as the primary campground for the San Mateo County parks system. The park has 130 campsites, including family, youth group, and large group sites. Dogs are currently not allowed in the campgrounds at Memorial Park but are allowed on-leash on the trails at the Loma Mar Redwood section of the park.
Based on its understanding that many people enjoy camping with their dog(s), as well as the County's recent efforts to make its parks system more accessible to dogs, the Department analyzed the feasibility of constructing a dog-friendly campground in Memorial Park. In 2022, it was determined that the Huckleberry Flat Picnic Area is underutilized and that converting it to the parks system's first dog-friendly campground would be a higher and better use. The Department hired a consultant to review this project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and determined that this project qualifies for a CEQA Exemption as a Replacement or Reconstruction (Class 2) and New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (Class 3), consistent w...
Click here for full text