Midpen’s basic policy is like its constitution, providing staff and board with the highest-level guidance on fulfilling Midpen’s mission. It covers the five following major policy areas at a high level:
- Land preservation
- Land management
- Interagency relationships
- Public involvement
- Administration
Midpen is currently going through a public process to update its basic policy.
![Assets and Organizational Support](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-04/infrastructure.png?itok=3biNZYgs)
![illustration of the sun setting over hills](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-07/coastside.png?itok=79lt7ogQ)
Background and Goal
Midpen’s basic policy was originally adopted in 1974, a couple of years after Midpen was created by local voters. The last comprehensive update to the basic policy occurred in 1999.
![Map of Coastside Protection Area](/sites/default/files/styles/1x1_200w/public/InsetMap_3x4.5_Regional_900K_MiniMap_Coastside.png?h=4f09ee37&itok=jsea_1JC)
Midpen’s geographic boundaries expanded to include the San Mateo County Coast in 2004, referred to as the Coastside Protection Area.
The Coastal Service Plan is a document outlining Midpen’s unique commitments to the Coastside Protection Area related to land acquisition, services and funding, agriculture, forestry, partnerships, representation, planning and development, and land use.
The goal of this project is to update Midpen's basic policy through a robust public process in order to incorporate the Coastside Protection Area into the basic policy in a way that is consistent with the Coastal Service Plan.
Learn more about Midpen's work on the Coastside here.
Public Process
A committee of three Midpen board members are helping to guide the policy update process. Midpen staff and a consultant developed draft policy revisions after reviewing and comparing Midpen’s current basic policy, coastal service plan and other Coastside policies. Midpen’s board of directors initially reviewed the proposed revisions at a public meeting on June 25, 2024.
Beginning in the summer of 2024, Midpen staff are soliciting community input on the proposed basic policy updates. Additional revisions may be made based on these public comments before the proposed basic policy updates go back to Midpen’s board of directors to consider approval at a public meeting in early 2025.
Stay informed!
We Want to Hear From You!
Midpen is currently going through a public process to incorporate the Coastside Protection Area into its Basic Policy in a manner that is consistent with the Coastal Service Plan.
Interested individuals, groups and agencies are invited to provide Midpen with written comments regarding proposed revisions to the Basic Policy. It may be helpful to review the following documents:
- Midpen's Basic Policy
- Midpen's Coastal Service Plan
- Current Proposed Revisions to Midpen's Basic Policy, drafted by staff and a consultant.
Timeline
Jun. 13, 2023 | Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee (LFPAC) reviewed policy development process. (agenda and minutes) |
Jul. 12, 2023 | Board review and approval of the policy development process, forming board ad hoc committee. (agenda and minutes) |
Summer 2023 - Spring 2024 | Draft policy development under guidance of board ad hoc committee. |
June 25, 2024 | Midpen’s board of directors initially reviewed the proposed revisions at a public meeting. |
Summer - Winter 2024 | Intersted parties and community input. |
Spring 2025 | Final policy adoption at a public meeting, date TBD. |
Related Documents
Related Projects
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