2003-062- Supporting The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Proposed Boundary Extension To The San Mateo County Coast To Preserve Open Space And Agricultural LandsRESOLUTION 2003 - 62
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS SUPPORTING THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXTENSION TO THE SAN
MATEO COUNTY COAST TO PRESERVE OPEN SPACE AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS
WHEREAS, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is a special
district formed in northwestern Santa Clara County in1972 (and extended to southern San Mateo County
in 1976) for the purpose of preserving and managing open space lands within its jurisdiction on the San
Francisco peninsula; and
WHEREAS, existing public benefits of the District's services include
protecting nearly 50,000 acres of our nearby open space lands, providing for low- intensity public
recreational use on approximately 220 miles of trails within 26 open space preserves, permanently
protecting local streams and watersheds, and preserving the sensitive habitats of a variety of species of
endangered plants and animals, maintaining historic structures and facilities on the land, preserving existing
agricultural uses, and providing an environmental education program and volunteer opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is within the jurisdiction of the District;
WHEREAS, in the late 1990s, the District received requests and petitions from
individuals, organizations, and elected bodies (including the Half Moon Bay City Council and the Midcoast
Community Council) asking for its services in the preservation and management of open space lands,
beyond its current boundaries west of Skyline Boulevard, and including the San Mateo County coastline,
and in a subsequent public opinion poll by the District, approximately 90% of the respondents said that
preservation of open space west of Skyline Boulevard was important; and
WHEREAS, in response to these requests and this need, the District is
considering extending its boundaries so that it may provide services to preservate and manage open space
lands west of Skyline Boulevard, preserve agricultural lands on the coast, preserve the rural character of the
coastal region, provide land management services for other land- owning agencies, enhance fire protection
and public safety through the increased presence of its highly skilled field staff, and offer the public further
opportunities for ecologically - sensitive recreational uses and environmental education; and
WHEREAS, if successful, the District's efforts will provide for the people of
the Town of Los Gatos and for the entire region expanded opportunities for public access on the coastside,
increased resources for maintaining the physical and economic integrity of Coastal agricultural lands, elected
representation for the coastside area on the District's board of directors, enhanced community programs in
environmental education and open space volunteerism; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED for the reasons stated above that
the Town Council of Los Gatos does hereby endorse and support the extension by the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space District of its boundaries to include lands west of Skyline Boulevard from the
southerly limits of the City of Pacifica to the San Mateo /Santa Cruz County line.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council of Los Gatos does
hereby urge the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to file an application
for the annexation of all of this territory with the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission.
BE IT F' THER RESOLVED that the Town Coun A Los Gatos does
hereby urge, if such an application is submitted, that the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation
Commission approve the application of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the extension of
its boundaries to include all of the territory west of Skyline Boulevard from the southerly limits of the City
of Pacifica to the San Mateo /Santa Cruz County Line.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the 2nd day of June, 2003 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski, Mike Wasserman,
Mayor Sandy Decker.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:� ' ez "Fe,
MAYOR OF HE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GAT S. CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LO� ATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA