Half Moon Bay sees two hotel plans emerge

Only preliminary plans and a biological resources assessment for the second proposal known as The Dunes at Half Moon Bay have been submitted to the city, though a project website complete with renderings recently launched. Self-described as an “eco-friendly, low-impact resort,” it would include 206 “luxury” guest rooms, a 15,000-square-foot conference center and full-service spa. It would also include a parking garage, general store and 5-acre working farm on a 26-acre site, according to the city’s website; and another 21-acre site adjacent to all that would be home to a “luxury” RV park with room for 173 vehicles, a clubhouse with a small retail store and additional meeting facilities. The two sites are divided by Young Avenue and occupy agricultural land along the coast and across from the Frenchman’s Creek neighborhood. The city anticipates a formal application will be submitted in the near future.

The resort would also cater to bicycle riders, offering “low cost” accommodations for cyclists and their bikes along with a fix-it shop, bike rentals and parking.

By comparison, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay has 260 rooms on 14 acres.

Both proposed developments sit on private land zoned Planned Development. While the hotels would bring increased transient occupancy tax revenue — the city’s largest revenue source — the proposals have already triggered controversy. When the Hyatt Hotel came before the Planning Commission, residents and commissioners alike shared a variety of concerns not limited to impacts on traffic and utilities. A minority of speakers said Half Moon Bay needs a mid-range hotel and welcomed it for bringing additional tax revenue and business to local retailers.

The resort proposal would likely attract more affluent clientele, and while it has not yet been reviewed by the commission, Mayor Deborah Penrose predicted a “lot of opposition” and said neighbors have already expressed concerns.

“There are issues with PUD ownership and it has coastal views so a lot of people will be looking at that,” she said. “People are so concerned about traffic and so concerned we’re heavily endowed with visitor serving and that we don’t need more visitor serving, but that’s something the Coastal Commission supports so it’ll be interesting to see where that goes.

“I feel two ways about it,” she added. “Private property owners have a right to develop, but on the other hand with our shortage of housing if we put any more cars on the road here it ought to be for affordable housing and not for more visitor serving.”

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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