New Flood Protection Standard for the Peninsula
Posted on May 18, 2023
Meg Duff | KneeDeep Times
By the end of the century, the State of California is projecting between one foot and ten feet of sea level rise. In San Mateo County, new planning guidance may help cities account for rising seas when approving new developments.
“Incorporating future conditions requires a really, really big perspective shift,” said Makena Wong, a project manager who worked on the guidance, in a recent public meeting. “We’re trying to make that shift as practical as possible.”
The new guidance is voluntary. It comes from OneShoreline, a countywide flood and sea level rise resiliency district, and includes maps and templated language that cities can use in general plans, specific plans, and zoning laws. OneShoreline can help cities with implementation. Residents can also ask the organization to comment on whether proposed developments meet the new standards…