In the words of El Granada historian Barbara VanderWerf, author of "Granada: A Synonym for Paradise," "San Mateo County has within its bounds a nationally acknowledged treasure of landscape architecture: the town of El Granada." The world famous architect Daniel H. Burnham, known as the Father of the City Beautiful movement, designed El Granada in 1906. His belief in the importance of integrating public and open within residential areas is manifested in the design of Granada and its broad oceanfront, a significant component of the Burnham plan. The cherished Burnham Strip, known also as the El Granada Median Strip, is a 6-acre parcel of highly scenic open space that lies along the front of Granada and across from Surfers Beach like a plush green carpet. Many Coastsiders are concerned that this beautiful carpet could be pulled out from under the community. In 1953 the Median Strip, the land known as the El Granada Post Office lot and the land now known as the RV Lot, was deeded to the San Mateo County Harbor District by the widows of Granada farmers who purchased it from the defunct Ocean Shore Railroad in 1910. In 1998, after 48 years of stewardship over these important coastal resources, the District wished to augment its revenue sources by "capitalizing on its under-utilized assets, chiefly underdeveloped and under-utilized properties." The District leased the oceanfront RV lot in 1998 for a term of 25 years, renewable for another 25. In 1999 the District leased the Post Office lot, 2.5 acres for 55 years. The third parcel, the "El Granada Median Strip" remains open and undeveloped. The District could lease the land at any time. In order to implement the approved land use and community plans, the Median Strip was zoned Community Open Space Conservation (COSC). Wisely, the County designated Granada's oceanfront COSC in recognition of Burnham's design philosophy. The purpose of the COSC designation is to protect areas for low intensity development that preserves, to the greatest degree possible, the visual and open characteristics of the land. If Median Strip with its COSC zoning was originally donated for public use, letting a commercial business entity determine its fate would seem inappropriate. Shouldn't the valuable development rights on the Median Strip belong to the community? Now is the time for the community to come forth to help decide the fate of the Strip. I believe the highest and best use of this land is for that of a community park, open space area. One vision I have of the Median Strip is for that of a community park similar to the Marina Green in San Francisco. If you haven't seen the Marina Green, go up to San Francisco by the Bay. Spend a few hours on the Green and fly that kite. Perhaps the Midcoast Community Council (MCC) could help bring the Community together to work with the Harbor District to create a proposal for the Median Strip which would be beneficial to everyone. I do think it would be a mistake for the community to sit back and do nothing. Coastsiders have learned the hard way what happens to their valuable public resources when they are not paying attention. The importance of each and every community members' input regarding the Median Strip cannot be overstated. I'm hoping that those who care will come forth to share their ideas. The MCC has on its agenda tonight a discussion of proposals for the Median Strip. The meeting is at Seton Coastside at 7:30 pm. The Harbor District will hold a discussion of the Median Strip at its March 7 Coastside meeting in Half Moon Bay, held in the Coastside County Water District meeting room at 7pm. Please come aboard. Write to the Harbor Commissioners at P.0. Box 39, El Granada, 94018 Phone: 726-4723, Fax: 726-7740 and to the Midcoast Community Council at P.0. Box 64, Moss Beach, 94038 Phone: 726-4723, Fax: 726-4720. Leni Schultz is a resident of El Granada.
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