San Mateo County Zoning Decisions: August 2026

In August 2026, San Mateo County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 4 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 2 approved (67% approval rate), 1 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was up 330% compared to July (33 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of Planning Commission approval of design review and grading permit for new home on Jefferson Avenue

Denied.

Public hearing on an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision regarding staff's approval of a design review permit and grading permit for a new single-family home on a flag lot at 3865 Jefferson Avenue in the Emerald Lake Hills area. Lot is over 21,000 sq ft, zoned residential hillside design review. Proposed home is 50 feet from property line, appellant's home 60 feet, ~110 feet between window and appellant's home. Project includes three-car garage and second-story bedroom. Planning Commission approved on April 8th and added a condition requiring larger privacy trees. Appellant raised privacy and drainage concerns. Board denied the appeal, upholding Planning Commission approval, on a 4-1 vote with Supervisor Speer dissenting. Architect/applicant Steve Simpson represented the project.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Coastal Development and Design Review Permits at 845 San Ramon Avenue, Moss Beach

Approved.

Planning Commission approved Coastal Development and Design Review Permits for construction of a new 2,726 square foot, two-story single-family residence with attached two-car garage on a 5,147 square foot vacant parcel at 845 San Ramon Avenue, Moss Beach, APN 037-259-2000. Within R1-S17 zoning, 28-foot max height, geo hazard zone three. Owner Art Tafoya and Rami Triggs-Smith; applicant Edward C. Love (architect). Neighbors at 847 San Ramon (Dominic and Uma Dorn) objected over ocean-view loss and requested story poles. Vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Agreement with Baker Places for adult crisis residential services

Deferred.

Three-year agreement with Baker Places for $8,316,934 to provide crisis residential services (16 beds for severely mentally ill co-occurring over-18 youth) as a temporary replacement while Redwood House 2.0 is rebuilt. A motion to continue to September 15 passed with President Corso voting no on a substitute motion to approve as presented (which failed).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Five-lot subdivision and general plan amendment on Cordilleras Road, Emerald Lake Hills

Approved.

General plan map amendment from low density to medium-low density, major subdivision (five lots each greater than 12,000 sq ft), grading permit, protected tree removal permit (two oak trees), and mitigated negative declaration. Driveway serves all five lots. Five-foot strip dedicated for future sidewalk. Planning Commission recommended approval. Board approved C, D, and E unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change at Cordilleras Road, Emerald Lake Hills

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 15 instances
• subdivision: 15 instances
• zoning: 9 instances
• adu: 9 instances
• land use: 8 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 88% from July.
• Subdivision is new this month with 15 mentions, not present in July.
• Zoning is new this month with 9 mentions, not present in July.
• Adu is new this month with 9 mentions, not present in July.
• Land use is new this month with 8 mentions, not present in July.

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