Bolinas Community Coastal Alliance

What passed: “No overnight parking from 11 pm to 5 am except for autos, pickup trucks and motorcycles.” In November 2018, Bolinas passed this advisory measure [with a small majority] in a vote on Measure X.
After an OK by Coastal Commission staff, the plan was approved in November 2019 by the County Zoning Department. The link below shows what was submitted by the Department of Public Works (DPW).

County Zoning has the authority for certain Coastal Commission approvals. The plan then went to the Board for their approval. The plan that passed is a pilot program (2 years) effective from the date of zoning’s approval. It will be implemented in phases – Phase I includes implementation on the residential side of Brighton and a portion of Park as well as the “hillside” side of Wharf Road, although it is not clear yet when Phase I will be implemented on Wharf Road. As the plan was initially written it will be up to the Sheriff to give the go ahead on Phase I on Wharf Rd. Phase II will include both sides of the streets and an additional part of Park. A good description appears in the Point Reyes Light February 5 article: Pt Reyes Light

What this really means: Although there is supposed to be monitoring by the County DPW, criteria for phasing is not clear. The phasing itself is problematic, especially since Phase 1 does not cover the side of Brighton where most of the activity occurs - the tennis court side of the street. And as many of us have discussed with the County, definitions for autos and pickup trucks are not clear. As a result, we are also concerned about enforcement, which is difficult in any case.

What’s next: The BCCA steering committee plans to stay vigilant and involved regarding the implementation of these measures. We hope to have a say regarding the criteria for phasing and to work with the Sheriff regarding enforcement.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?

RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PLANNING COMMITTEE OF BCPUD

In December 2019, BCCA requested BCPUD to put in place this committee to explore the feasibility of residential parking permits for Bolinas. BCPUD has had parking committees in the past and while this idea had been floated before, we have recently heard from County staff that the Coastal Commission might be receptive to this idea. Since Measure X is only a 2 year pilot project, we are hoping to have some iteration of this idea ready by November 2021, when it ends. The current committee has 3 members from Brighton, one from Wharf Rd and two from the Mesa. A Bolinas-wide survey is in the planning process. BCPUD will assist with its distribution. Community buy-in and support is essential to moving forward.

The committee is also looking at developing a parking enforcement plan that builds upon the town’s history of self-reliance. To that end the committee is hoping to obtain some guidance from the Black Rock City Rangers, who monitor Burning Man and who, while primarily focused on large events, have some strategies that may be pertinent for our town. One of the members of the Committee is associated with this group. Finally, before we get too far into the process, we are seeking more information from Coastal Commission staff regarding under what conditions they would accept a plan for parking permits.

Agendas and the approved minutes of the parking permit planning committee can be found on the BCPUD website and on this site as well under Resource Documents.

BOLINAS VILLAGE ASSOCIATION

BCCA began when about 20 neighbors gathered together in July 2019 to talk about how we could get some element of control over what was happening in Bolinas. As an unincorporated town, we must rely on the County as well as BCPUD for basic decisions regarding the functioning of the community. The idea of a village association came up in this meeting, however the organization, development and maintenance of such an organization proved to be beyond what neighbors were ready to take on. The BCCA was born because some of us decided to form this alliance of concerned residents and focus on the parking situation for residents and visitors. Since that time, others in the community, with other priorities and issues but similarly concerned about the lack of a single community entity where issues could be discussed and resolved are coming forward to bring up the idea of a village association. The Bolinas Community Center, the Bolinas Land Trust and the Fire Department have expressed interest in having a town meeting to discuss this idea. The BCCA looks forward to participating in that discussion as well. A meeting date has not yet been set.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail as there is strength in numbers and ALL community members are welcome to join!

Link to DPW Report to County Zoning Administrator on CCC submission November 21, 2019.