Month: May 2023

By the end of the century, the State of California is projecting between one foot and ten feet of sea level rise. In San Mateo County, new planning guidance may help cities account for rising seas when approving new developments. 

“Incorporating future conditions requires a really, really big perspective shift,” said Makena Wong, a project manager who worked on the guidance, in a recent public meeting. “We’re trying to make that shift as practical as possible.”

The new guidance is voluntary. It comes from OneShoreline, a countywide flood and sea level rise resiliency district, and includes maps and templated language that cities can use in general plans, specific plans, and zoning laws. OneShoreline can help cities with implementation. Residents can also ask the organization to comment on whether proposed developments meet the new standards…

OneShoreline, San Mateo County’s flood and sea-level rise resiliency district, has unveiled a planning guidance document meant to help cities along the Bay craft local policy as new development is proposed on the vulnerable shore.

“This represents a tremendous amount of work by the staff and I know that you have given it a lot of thought and attention,” said Dave Pine, president of the Board of Supervisors and chair of OneShoreline’s Board of Directors, during a meeting April 24. 

OneShoreline’s Planning Guidance Policy to Protect and Enhance Bay Shoreline Areas of San Mateo County, crafted by OneShoreline staff and consultants with Good City Company, is meant to be a resource for the 12 cities either directly lining the Bay or affected by it and those who are interested in engaging in discussions around sea-level rise and resiliency…