LAFCO Approves Annexation of CSA-11 Water System to Include Pescadero High School and a New Fire Station #59 after Two PMAC Members and Two Farmers Asked for more Clarification Time

VIDEO. From the the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 2:30pm to 4:00pm.

LAFCO Commissioners Vote
Yes:

  • Ann Draper (public)
  • Tygerjas Bigstyck (City of Pacifica)
  • Harvey Rarback (City of Half Moon Bay)
  • Chair, Kati Martin (San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District)

No: Virginia Chang-Kiraly (San Mateo County Harbor District)

Recused: Ray Mueller (D3 San Mateo County Supervisor)

Absent: Warren Slocum (D4 San Mateo County Supervisor)

Agenda Item #6: Public Hearing

Consideration of LAFCo File No. 24-08 – Proposed Sphere of Influence amendment for County
Service Area 11 (CSA 11) and annexation by CSA 11 of the Pescadero Middle/High School
located at 350-360 Butano Cut Off, Pescadero (APN 087-053-010) (Page 15)

Summary
This proposal, submitted by resolution from the County of San Mateo, requests annexation by County Service Area 11 (CSA 11) of the Pescadero Middle/High School located at 350-360 Butano Cut Off (APN 087-053-010) The proposal also requests a Sphere of Influence (SOI) amendment for CSA 11 to include 350-360 Butano Cut Off (APN 087-053-010).

The County of San Mateo is proposing to construct a new County fire station on an undeveloped portion of Pescadero Middle/High School located at 350-360 Butano Cut Off (APN 087-053-010). As part of this project, the County is requesting the annexation of the parcel to CSA 11 to provide domestic water service to a proposed new fire station, Fire Station 59. A waterline would be extended from the existing CSA 11 boundaries east along Pescadero Road, south on Cloverdale Road, and east on Butano Cut Off. At the request of Cal Fire, seven fire hydrants will be installed along the new water main extension. The pipe alignment is not proposed to be within the annexation area 1.

The annexation would also facilitate domestic water service from CSA 11 to the existing Pescadero Middle/High School buildings. The school had historically relied on a well for domestic water. However due to elevated contaminant levels in the groundwater, the school has relied on bottled water for drinking for several years. The annexation of 350-360 Butano Cut Off into the CSA 11 service area would allow both the proposed fire station and to Pescadero Middle/High School.


More on CSA 11 on Coastside Buzz

Supervisor Mueller Works with the California Coastal Commission to Amend the San Mateo County LUP to Allow Pescadero High School Access to CSA 11 Water after 40 Years of Bottled Water;

After 10 Months California Coastal Commission Staff Deem Firehouse/Water Permit Incomplete, so Supervisor Mueller Drives 8.5 Hours to Show the Board the Yellow Contaminated Water at Pescadero H.S. asking to Agendize the Project; October 19th, 2023


2024 Commission Members 

CommissionerMember Term Ending
Warren SlocumCountyMay 2028
Ray Mueller, Vice ChairpersonCountyMay 2026
Tygarjas BigstyckCityMay 2026
Harvey RarbackCityMay 2025
Kati Martin, ChairpersonSpecial District May 2026
Ann DraperPublicMay 2026
Virginia Chang-KiralySpecial DistrictMay 2028
Katheryn Slater-CarterAlternate Special DistrictMay 2028
Ann SchneiderAlternate CityMay 2027
Noelia CorzoAlternate CountyMay 2028



CSA 11 County Service Area 11

The Pescadero community’s source of drinking water before 1993 was small domestic wells, water from surface impoundments, and locally derived groundwater from wells installed in the alluvial aquifer of Pescadero and Butano Creeks. In the 1970’s and 1980’s these sources were found to contain relatively high concentrations of nitrate and other naturally occurring salts. This prompted the development of a public groundwater source. County Service Area No. 11 (CSA 11) was established in 1988 to finance the development of this new water source and serve as the water provider for the Community. Click here to view a map of CSA 11 boundaries.

The water system consists of two wells, one 135,000-gallon distribution tank and a distribution system.  The water pumped from the wells meets all Federal and State water quality standards and does not require treatment.  Water flows from the distribution tank through the distribution system mains by gravity.  No distribution pumps are required.  CSA 11 has approximately 90 residential and commercial customers.


2024 Election

The 2024 Board of Supervisors, from left: Ray Mueller (D3), Noelia Corzo (D2), Warren Slocum (D4, BOS President), David J. Canepa (D5, BOS Vice President) and Dave Pine (D1, outgoing BOS President).

Coastside Buzz
Author: Coastside Buzz

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