• Restore Sharp Park — Latest News

Pacifica’s Economic Development Committee reignited a controversial development proposal by resolving to develop an area known as the Pacifica Quarry, which is adjacent to the National Park Service’s Mori Point. The resolution urges the City of Pacifica to plan and entitle a “village type” development on the property: even though the area has been designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area by the Coastal Commission.

If the development moves forward it will jeopardize the continued existence of two species listed under the Endangered Species Act: the area is occupied habitat for the California red-legged frog and provides suitable habitat for the San Francisco garter snake. The development could also negatively impact the adjacent National Park lands.

The development proposal highlights the critical importance of restoring Sharp Park, which is on the other side of Mori Point from the Pacifica Quarry. At Sharp Park we can build a better public park free of “takings” claims made by private developers; adapt our coast to rising sea levels without building sea walls that destroy beaches; and provide restored habitats for Twain’s Frog and the beautiful serpent.

Although previous development proposals have all been defeated at the polls, the quarry property is currently for sale by private interests, and this resolution may help the sellers find a new developer for the land. Check back here for updates as the situation develops, as it were.

Comments

1. Margaret Goodale — 19 August 2010 - 09:18

   This property once was home for both red-legged frogs and San Francisco garter snakes. In the 1990’s, after being told not to develop the land due to the presence of the endangered species, the owner bull-dozed the ponds where the frogs bred to eliminate the obstruction to his development dreams. Just last December, biologist Karen Swaim told San Francisco Recreation and Park commissioners that if a newly constrained Laguna Salada became too salty for frogs to survive as sea level rises, her permits would allow her simply move both endangered species over Mori Ridge to the property pictured.



2. Mare Bear — 19 August 2010 - 19:01

   It’s surprising Pacifica Economic Development committee does not publish any meeting minutes for the public they claim to serve. City of Pacifica should publish the meeting minutes on a timely basis— like any other city with open government — not just agenda.

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