Coast Commission Overrides Staff over Hyatt Hotel Appeal Recommendation and Finds Substantial Issue with Degradation of Views Voting 5-4 to Bring Back Item as De Novo to Future Meeting

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VIDEO. From California Coastal Commission meeting on Thursday, May 8th, 2025, held at the Oceano Hotel near Half Moon Bay at Pillar Point Harbor. Thursday Agenda. Staff Report.
Commissioner’s Vote: 5-4. Yes = O’Malley, Hart, Rodoni, Notthoff, Uranga // No = Wilson, Harmon, Aguirre, Cummings.

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Starts at 4:29:14
Motion and Vote at 5:12:32

Agenda Item #11a
Appeal No. A-2-HMB-25-0003 (Hyatt Hotel, Half Moon Bay)

Appeal by David Schorr (Keep HMB Scenic) of City of Half Moon Bay decision granting permit with conditions to RGJC South LLC for a roughly 66,000 sq.ft.,102-room hotel and associated site improvements (e.g., parking, meeting rooms, bar/lounge), as well as habitat restoration and bike and pedestrian paths; a lot line adjustment between the hotel parcel and adjacent auto dealership property to the north; and subdivision of a portion of the auto dealership property on the north side of Seymour Street into four residential lots, all between Highway 1 and Main Street at the southern end of the City of Half Moon Bay’s downtown area.

Full Staff Report and Recommendation

Thus, staff recommends that the Commission determine that the appeal contentions do not raise a substantial LCP conformance issue, and that the Commission decline to take jurisdiction over the CDP application for the project. The single motion necessary to implement this recommendation is found on page 5 below.


More on the Hyatt Hotel Development on Coastside Buzz

Hyatt Hotel Appeal Comes to Oceano ~ Coastal Commission Staff Recommends “No Substantial Issue” and to Decline to Take Jurisdiction Over City of Half Moon Bay’s CDP Decision;

Half Moon Bay Hyatt Hotel Project Approved after 9 Years of Design Modifications; Chamber Looks Forward to Midsize Conference Rooms to Boost City’s Midweek Income; February 6, 2025

Special Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting for the Hyatt Hotel Project Appeal; January 27, 2025

After Planning Commission Votes 3-2 No, the Hyatt Hotel Project is Appealed to the Half Moon Bay City Council by the Developer; November 21, 2024

Hyatt Hotel Project Denied 3-2: LCLUP View Corridor Rules vs $1M TOT; If Appealed will Go To Half Moon Bay City Council; October 24, 2024

Half Moon Bay Planning Continues Hyatt Hotel Project after 5 Hours of Public Comment and Commisioners’ Analysis to their Next Meeting; October 10th, 2024

Hyatt Hotel Funds Additional EIR Study Responding to Public Comment and New CEQA Requirements for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT); December 1, 2022

Hyatt Hotel Responds to Public Comment by Spacing Buildings ~ Pro Suggests Hotel Would “Activate Main St.” Improving City’s Outdoor Economy; August 18, 2022

Half Moon Bay Planning Gets Pushback on Hyatt Place Hotel Regarding Visual Barriers, Water Shortage and Traffic; July 28, 2022

Hyatt Hotel Design Review at HMB Architectural Advisory Committee; July 21, 2020

Planning Commission 8/9/22 Review of Hyatt Place Hotel ~ Draft Environmental Impact (EIR) Report Available for Public Comment. Deadline 9/13/22; July 20, 2022

Hyatt Place Hotel Manages View Corridor by Reducing Height and Number of Rooms; July 7, 2021

Hyatt Hotel Design Review at HMB Architectural Advisory Committee; July 21, 2020


Hyatt Hotel Project History


Half Moon Bay City Council Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7:00pm

The City Council of Half Moon Bay is the City’s governing body, and consists of five elected members. The Council sets priorities and policies, makes final decisions on all major City matters, adopts ordinances and resolutions, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves the annual budget.

City Council Contact
Phone: (650) 726-8250 (leave message with Clerk’s office)

Mayor Robert Brownstone, District 1; Term ends 2026
RBrownstone@hmbcity.com 

Vice Mayor Debbie Ruddock, District 4; Term ends 2026
DRuddock@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Deborah Penrose, District 5, Term ends 2026
DPenrose@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Patric Bo Jonsson, District 2, Term Ends 2028
PJonsson@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Paul Nagengast, District 3; Term Ends 2028
PNagengast@hmbcity.com


City Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Meetings ~ 2nd and 4th Tuesdays @ 7:00pm

HMB Planning Commission Agendas and Zoom Links

2025 Members

  • Steve Ruddock
  • David Gorn
  • Jacob (Jim) Rems
  • Rick Hernandez
  • Margaret Gossett

Leslie Lacko: Community Development Director

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