1966 395-408 _ 12-12 cont to 12-20-1966

Browse Search

407 fact the County will need 22 times the present facilities to meet the needs by 1990. Mr. R. H. Sciaroni of the Open Space and Conservation Committee gave an inventory of the resources within the County which are worthwhile saving and urged preser- vation and conservation of prime lands. He spoke of the beneficial effect of open space on air pollution problem. He stated that the greatest amount of property available for park and recreation use lies in the coastal areas of the County and pointed out that property prices are much less in that area than on the Peninsula proper. Mr. Cecil Marmont of Half Moon Bay spoke on the subject of Beaches. He stated that the most important recreation resource of the County is the 52 miles of coastal shoreline, 15 miles of which are now in public ownership in San Mateo County. He recommended that an additional 23 miles of shoreline be made available to the public including acquisition of access to the beaches. He explained the lack of, and need for, over -night camping facilities in this County. Specifically, he said, we need picnic areas, bathing beach areas, barbecue areas, educational preserves, wildlife areas. While he recommended that we attempt to promote State acquisition of beach frontage, he was not hopeful that the State would be in a financial position to do so, and therefore urged that cities acquire any beach frontage within their jurisdiction and encourage development of private beaches for public use under strict controls. In speaking of the agricultural nature of the coast lands, he said the County might be able to buy development rights, giving access to some of the beaches, and maintain the open space while allowing agriculture to continue use of the land backing the beaches. Mrs. Nita Spangler representing the Historic Sites Committee, reviewed the objects of the Committee as shown in the written report submitted. During her review of the existing historic sites in San Mateo County she suggested that all communities should appoint a historian, as has Redwood city, in order to preserve the local history and color. She discussed some of the famous landmarks and the standards which should govern the designation of a landmark. She urged that the work of the Committee be continued. Larz Anderson, Assistant County Planning Director, spoke on the subject of costs of meeting the park and recreational needs for the residents of San Mateo County. He reviewed a possible 5 methods of financing the program and discussed the agencies who should participate in the costs. Some of the methods suggested were: trading off surplus property with private owners and public agencies; joint use of facili- ties; zoning control and tax concessions, encouragement of private enterprise to provide recreation. He stated the estimated cost of a long range program to be 92 million dollars for land acquisition, 41 million dollars for land development, total 133 million dollars. The short range plan, hopefully dated 1970, would require the expenditure of 46 million dollars in land acquisition, 20 million dollars for