Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of state highways and associated property. Existing law authorizes the department to dispose of property that is no longer needed for highway purposes on terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. The California Constitution authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with certain vehicle- and fuel-related revenues, to authorize the transfer of that property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Board, or the State Coastal Conservancy for specified purposes for a consideration at least equal to the propertys purchase price.

This bill would require the Department of Transportation to transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes. The bill would, for purposes of this transfer, require the value of the property to be the price paid by the Department of Transportation for the original acquisition of the property, not adjusted for inflation. The bill would make various findings and declarations in that regard.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the surplus state property in the City of Pacifica.

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of state highways and associated property. Existing law authorizes the department to dispose of property that is no longer needed for highway purposes on terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. The California Constitution authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with certain vehicle- and fuel-related revenues, to authorize the transfer of that property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Board, or the State Coastal Conservancy for specified purposes for a consideration at least equal to the propertys purchase price.

This bill would require the Department of Transportation to transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes. The bill would, for purposes of this transfer, require the value of the property to be the price paid by the Department of Transportation for the original acquisition of the property, not adjusted for inflation. The bill would make various findings and declarations in that regard.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the surplus state property in the City of Pacifica.

Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with full possession and control of state highways and associated property. Existing law authorizes the department to dispose of property that is no longer needed for highway purposes on terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. The California Constitution authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with certain vehicle- and fuel-related revenues, to authorize the transfer of that property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Board, or the State Coastal Conservancy for specified purposes for a consideration at least equal to the propertys purchase price.

This bill would require the department Department of Transportation to sell and transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes. The bill would, for purposes of this transfer, require the value of the property to be the price paid by the Department of Transportation for the original acquisition of the property, not adjusted for inflation. The bill would make various findings and declarations in that regard.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the surplus state property in the City of Pacifica.

Existing law provides that vests the Department of Transportation has with full possession and control of state highways and associated property. Existing law provides for authorizes the department to dispose of property that is no longer needed for highway purposes on terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. The California Constitution authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with certain vehicle- and fuel-related revenues, to authorize the transfer of that property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Board, or the State Coastal Conservancy for specified purposes for a consideration at least equal to the propertys purchase price.

This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would provide for the sale and transfer of certain excess property in the City of Pacifica, also known as the Disney Lot, for state park purposes and to facilitate access to the California Coastal Trail, and express related findings and declarations. require the department to sell and transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes. The bill would make various findings and declarations in that regard.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of state highways and associated property. Existing law provides for the department to dispose of property that is no longer needed for highway purposes on terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. The California Constitution authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with certain vehicle- and fuel-related revenues, to authorize the transfer of that property to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Board, or the State Coastal Conservancy for specified purposes for a consideration at least equal to the propertys purchase price.

This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would provide for the sale and transfer of certain excess property in the City of Pacifica, also known as the Disney Lot, for state park purposes and to facilitate access to the California Coastal Trail, and express related findings and declarations.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1937

Author:(Berman)

As Amended Ver:August 15, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer surplus state property in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for conversion to state park purposes.

Major Provisions

1. Lists findings and declarations regarding the duty to provide access to coastal lands for all Californians under Article X of the California Constitution and the Coastal Act of 1976;
2. Requires DPR to include the property in the Pedro Point neighborhood in the City of Pacifica in the management of the Pacific State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, when Caltrans sells the "Disney Lot" to DPR;
3. Requires Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director's Deed DD–028801–01–01, also known as the Disney Lot, is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as defined by the state constitution;
4. Requires Caltrans to sell or transfer the Disney Lot to DPR for state park purposes as defined by the state constitution;
5. Requires that for the purposes of the transfer of this property, the value of the property be the price paid by the department for the original acquisition of the property, and the acquisition price shall not be adjusted for inflation;
6. States the sale and transfer of the "Disney Lot" serves a public purpose;
7. Provides that a special statute is necessary because of the unique circumstances of the city of Pacifica.

Senate Amendments

1. Makes non-substantive changes related to identifying the surplus state property;
2. Establishes the value of the property shall be the price paid by Caltrans for the original acquisition of the property and not be adjusted for inflation.

COMMENTS

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California's 1,230-mile-long coast. Establsihed as an official state trail in 2001, the CCT is an integral part of the state's responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) has been tasked by the Legislature to complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.

Pacifica State Beach is a popular tourist destination, a wide crescent-shaped beach located off State Route 1 (SR 1). The northern gateway to part of the CCT runs discontinuously between the state's northern and southern border. Parking demands of beach-goers to Pacific State Beach and the California Coastal Trail exceed available parking and as a result, visitors park on nearby residential streets, straining local communities and causing beachgoers to make the dangerous SR 1 crossing.

To address these problems, and increase public access to the Coastal Trail, the city of Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel [Director's Deed (DD-028801), also known as the "Disney Lot"] in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast and, in the longer-term, to use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands.

Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to the city of Pacifica, it would be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica was unable to afford the land at this price.

This bill proposes a process that would allow DPR to acquire the land at Caltrans' original acquisition cost, for state park purposes. The mechanism proposed in this bill for the transfer of this property is based on 2004 legislation, which allowed for Caltrans to sell and transfer property in the Martini Creek Bypass Alignment to DPR.

In addition to increasing the safety of beachgoers in the area and reducing parking on local streets, the acquisition and future use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the city of Pacifica through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for the future Coastal Trail alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

Finally, State Parks notes the property transfer authorized in this bill would not involve a true "sale" of land or transfer of funds between agencies. According to State Parks, Caltrans and State Parks regularly exchange or transfer jurisdiction of lands, as needed, to adjust boundaries between state parks and the state highway system. Since the value of land has been relatively equal between the two agencies over the long-term, State Parks and Caltrans keep track of individual transfers by using a debt or credit system, sometimes referred to as a "land bank," in lieu of transferring funds for each transaction. Assuming this process is used, the value of the Pedro Point property would likely result in a credit to Caltrans.

According to the Author

"California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California's coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail.

AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California's beautiful state beaches."

Arguments in Support

City of Pacifica writes, "AB 1937 would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future California Coastal Trail (CCT) extension in Pacifica. It would also reinforce prior State investments in the Pedro Point area such as a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped the City acquire a five-acre parcel in the Pedro Point Headlands to create a continuous publicly-owned connection between Devil's Slide Trail to the south and Pacifica State Beach to the north."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. One-time General Fund revenue loss (foregone revenues), potentially in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars, as the bill requires the specified parcel to be transferred to DPR at Caltrans' original acquisition cost, rather than sold at the property's current fair market value. This future revenue loss would represent a General Fund impact, as proceeds from the sale of Caltrans' surplus property are currently used to partially offset General Fund transportation-related debt service.
2. One-time absorbable costs for DPR to amend its operating agreement with the City of Pacifica regarding Pacifica State Beach to include this parcel of property. (State Parks and Recreation Fund)

VOTES:

ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-0

YES: Wilson, Davies, Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Juan Carrillo, Hart, Hoover, Jackson, Lowenthal, Papan, Sanchez, Ting, Wallis, Ward, Wicks

ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 14-0-1

YES: Papan, Addis, Alanis, Alvarez, Bennett, Bonta, Gallagher, Davies, Garcia, Hart, Luz Rivas, Schiavo, Villapudua, Weber

ABS, ABST OR NV: Mathis

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta, Villapudua

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0-8

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Holden, Mathis, Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio, Wicks

SENATE FLOOR: 37-2-1

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

NO: Jones, Niello

ABS, ABST OR NV: Seyarto

UPDATED

VERSION: August 15, 2024

CONSULTANT: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0004715

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1937

Author:(Berman)

As Amended Ver:August 15, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer surplus state property in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for conversion to state park purposes.

Major Provisions

1. Lists findings and declarations regarding the duty to provide access to coastal lands for all Californians under Article X of the California Constitution and the Coastal Act of 1976;
2. Requires DPR to include the property in the Pedro Point neighborhood in the City of Pacifica in the management of the Pacific State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, when Caltrans sells the "Disney Lot" to DPR;
3. Requires Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director's Deed DD–028801–01–01, also known as the Disney Lot, is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as defined by the state constitution;
4. Requires Caltrans to sell or transfer the Disney Lot to DPR for state park purposes as defined by the state constitution;
5. Requires that for the purposes of the transfer of this property, the value of the property be the price paid by the department for the original acquisition of the property, and the acquisition price shall not be adjusted for inflation;
6. States the sale and transfer of the "Disney Lot" serves a public purpose;
7. Provides that a special statute is necessary because of the unique circumstances of the city of Pacifica.

Senate Amendments

1. Makes non-substantive changes related to identifying the surplus state property;
2. Establishes the value of the property shall be the price paid by Caltrans for the original acquisition of the property and not be adjusted for inflation.

COMMENTS

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California's 1,230-mile-long coast. Establsihed as an official state trail in 2001, the CCT is an integral part of the state's responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) has been tasked by the Legislature to complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.

Pacifica State Beach is a popular tourist destination, a wide crescent-shaped beach located off State Route 1 (SR 1). The northern gateway to part of the CCT runs discontinuously between the state's northern and southern border. Parking demands of beach-goers to Pacific State Beach and the California Coastal Trail exceed available parking and as a result, visitors park on nearby residential streets, straining local communities and causing beachgoers to make the dangerous SR 1 crossing.

To address these problems, and increase public access to the Coastal Trail, the city of Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel [Director's Deed (DD-028801), also known as the "Disney Lot"] in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast and, in the longer-term, to use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands.

Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to the city of Pacifica, it would be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica was unable to afford the land at this price.

This bill proposes a process that would allow DPR to acquire the land at Caltrans' original acquisition cost, for state park purposes. The mechanism proposed in this bill for the transfer of this property is based on 2004 legislation, which allowed for Caltrans to sell and transfer property in the Martini Creek Bypass Alignment to DPR.

In addition to increasing the safety of beachgoers in the area and reducing parking on local streets, the acquisition and future use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the city of Pacifica through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for the future Coastal Trail alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

Finally, State Parks notes the property transfer authorized in this bill would not involve a true "sale" of land or transfer of funds between agencies. According to State Parks, Caltrans and State Parks regularly exchange or transfer jurisdiction of lands, as needed, to adjust boundaries between state parks and the state highway system. Since the value of land has been relatively equal between the two agencies over the long-term, State Parks and Caltrans keep track of individual transfers by using a debt or credit system, sometimes referred to as a "land bank," in lieu of transferring funds for each transaction. Assuming this process is used, the value of the Pedro Point property would likely result in a credit to Caltrans.

According to the Author

"California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California's coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail.

AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California's beautiful state beaches."

Arguments in Support

City of Pacifica writes, "AB 1937 would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future California Coastal Trail (CCT) extension in Pacifica. It would also reinforce prior State investments in the Pedro Point area such as a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped the City acquire a five-acre parcel in the Pedro Point Headlands to create a continuous publicly-owned connection between Devil's Slide Trail to the south and Pacifica State Beach to the north."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. One-time General Fund revenue loss (foregone revenues), potentially in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars, as the bill requires the specified parcel to be transferred to DPR at Caltrans' original acquisition cost, rather than sold at the property's current fair market value. This future revenue loss would represent a General Fund impact, as proceeds from the sale of Caltrans' surplus property are currently used to partially offset General Fund transportation-related debt service.
2. One-time absorbable costs for DPR to amend its operating agreement with the City of Pacifica regarding Pacifica State Beach to include this parcel of property. (State Parks and Recreation Fund)

VOTES:

ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-0

YES: Wilson, Davies, Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Juan Carrillo, Hart, Hoover, Jackson, Lowenthal, Papan, Sanchez, Ting, Wallis, Ward, Wicks

ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 14-0-1

YES: Papan, Addis, Alanis, Alvarez, Bennett, Bonta, Gallagher, Davies, Garcia, Hart, Luz Rivas, Schiavo, Villapudua, Weber

ABS, ABST OR NV: Mathis

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta, Villapudua

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0-8

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Holden, Mathis, Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio, Wicks

UPDATED

VERSION: August 15, 2024

CONSULTANT: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0004715

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1937

Author: Berman (D)

Amended: 8/15/24 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 15-0, 6/11/24

AYES: Cortese, Niello, Allen, Archuleta, Becker, Blakespear, Dahle, Dodd, Gonzalez, Limón, Newman, Nguyen, Portantino, Seyarto, Umberg

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 8/15/24

AYES: Caballero, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Wahab

NO VOTE RECORDED: Jones, Seyarto

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 5/23/24 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: State parks: Pedro Point

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Caltrans owns land located immediately adjacent to an approximately 2,000-foot gap in the California Coastal Trail (CCT) within Pacifica. Pacifica, in partnership with other public agencies, plans to make improvements to close this gap in the CCT.
2. Caltrans has determined that the property, identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01, is surplus state property.
3. The State Coastal Conservancy completed a feasibility study in 2019-20 and found the property identified in Caltrans Director’s Deed 028801-01-01 to be an ideal location for CCT trailhead parking.

This bill:

1. Requires Caltrans to declare the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director’s Deed-028801-01-01 is surplus property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues pursuant to Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution.
2. Requires Caltrans to provide for the transfer of this property to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes as provided under Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution.
3. Requires that for the purposes of the transfer of this property, the value of the property be the price paid by the department for the original acquisition of the property. The original acquisition price shall not be adjusted for inflation.

Comments

1. Author’s Statement. According to the author, “California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail. AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California’s beautiful state beaches.”
2. State Property. This property is located within Pacifica between the southern end of Pacifica State Beach and publicly owned lands in the Pedro Point Headlands. Caltrans’ original acquisition cost of this property in 1963 was $56,680. This property was most recently appraised in 2020 for $756,000.

Potential excess real property means land and improvements situated outside of calculated highway right-of-way lines that may not be needed or used for a state highway purpose. Caltrans is required to sell or exchange such property within one year from the date that it is determined to be excess (SHC 118.6).

Pursuant to Section 10, Article XIX of the California Constitution, the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, may authorize the transfer of such property, for a consideration at least equal to the acquisition cost paid by the state to acquire the property, to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes, or to the Department of Fish and Game for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, or to the Wildlife Conservation Board for purposes of the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, or to the State Coastal Conservancy for the preservation of agricultural lands

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, “One-time General Fund revenue loss (foregone revenues), potentially in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars, to the extent the specified parcel is transferred to DPR for an amount at least equal to the original acquisition cost, rather than sold at the property's current fair market value. See Staff Comments.

One-time absorbable costs for DPR to amend its operating agreement with the City of Pacifica regarding Pacifica State Beach to include this parcel of property. (State Parks and Recreation Fund)”

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/16/24)

City of Pacifica

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/16/24)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 5/23/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Holden, Mathis, Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio, Wicks

Prepared by: Jacob O'Connor / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121

8/18/24 17:49:55

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 1937 (Berman) - State parks: Pedro Point

Bill Summary:

AB 1937 would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to designate a specified parcel of excess land as surplus state property, and to provide for the sale and transfer of the property to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for state parks purposes.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on August 15, 2024

Fiscal Impact:

• One-time General Fund revenue loss (foregone revenues), potentially in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars, as the bill requires the specified parcel to be transferred to DPR at Caltrans’ original acquisition cost, rather than sold at the property's current fair market value. This future revenue loss would represent a General Fund impact, as proceeds from the sale of Caltrans’ surplus property are currently used to partially offset General Fund transportation-related debt service.
  
• One-time absorbable costs for DPR to amend its operating agreement with the City of Pacifica regarding Pacifica State Beach to include this parcel of property. (State Parks and Recreation Fund)

Author Amendments:

• Revise the legislative findings and declarations to specify that it is in the furtherance of the public interest for Caltrans to transfer the parcel to DPR for the purpose of adding property to the Pacifica State Beach for park purposes and the use as a future trailhead parking lot to the California Coastal Trail.
  
• Require Caltrans to provide for the “transfer” of the property, rather than the “sale and transfer” of the property.
  
• Specify that, for purposes of the transfer, the value of the property shall be the price paid by Caltrans for the original acquisition of the property, not adjusted for inflation.
  

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 1937 (Berman) - State parks: Pedro Point

Bill Summary:

AB 1937 would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to designate a specified parcel of excess land as surplus state property, and to provide for the sale and transfer of the property to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for state parks purposes.

Fiscal Impact:

• One-time General Fund revenue loss (foregone revenues), potentially in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars, to the extent the specified parcel is transferred to DPR for an amount at least equal to the original acquisition cost, rather than sold at the property's current fair market value. See Staff Comments.
  
• One-time absorbable costs for DPR to amend its operating agreement with the City of Pacifica regarding Pacifica State Beach to include this parcel of property. (State Parks and Recreation Fund)

Background:

Under existing law, whenever Caltrans determines that real property acquired for highway purposes is no longer necessary, that property may be sold or exchanged upon terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. Caltrans is required to sell or exchange the property within one year from the date it is determined to be excess, to the greatest extent possible. Excess property that consists of lands of notable environmental value, including lands fronting waterways and lands within the boundaries of parks and recreational areas, must first be offered for sale or exchange to public agencies operating parks and recreational areas. Proceeds from the sales of Caltrans surplus property are currently dedicated to transportation-related debt service, partially offsetting General Fund payments.

Existing law, pursuant to Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution, authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property acquired with certain transportation-related tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, to authorize the transfer of such property, for a consideration at least equal to the acquisition cost paid by the state to acquire the property, to DPR for state park purposes, or to other state entities for certain purposes, as specified.

Existing law establishes the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) within the California Natural Resources Agency and directs the SCC to coordinate with DPR, Caltrans, and the California Coastal Commission regarding the development of the California Coastal Trail (CCT).

Proposed Law:

AB 1937 would require Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01 (the “Disney Lot”) is surplus state property in the coastal zone that was acquired with constitutionally protected transportation revenues, and to provide for the sale and transfer of the property to DPR for state parks purposes. The bill would also specify that the sale and transfer of this property serves a public purpose.

AB 1937 also specifies legislative intent that, after Caltrans sells and transfers the parcel to DPR for conversion to state park purposes, DPR shall include this area in the management of Pacifica State Beach for park purposes, until such time as the property may change ownership to a local agency for purposes consistent with trailhead parking adjacent to the CCT.

Related Legislation:

AB 612 (Berman), which was held on the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s Suspense File last year, is nearly identical to this bill.

Staff Comments:

This bill includes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the specified property, including a statement that the parcel is located immediately adjacent to an approximately 2,000-foot gap in the CCT within the City of Pacifica located between the southern end of Pacifica State Beach and publicly owned lands in the Pedro Point Headlands to the South. The State Coastal Commission completed a feasibility study in 2019-20 and found the parcel to be an ideal location for future CCT trailhead parking.

Caltrans indicates that the original acquisition price of the 0.35 acre “Disney Lot” property in 1963 was $56,680, and the last appraisal of the property in June of 2020 identified a fair market value of $756,050. If the property were sold directly to the City of Pacifica, it must be sold at or above the current fair market value, which is likely higher than the 2020 appraised amount. This bill would require Caltrans to sell and transfer the parcel to DPR for state parks purposes (additional parking for Pacifica State Beach). The longer-term intent is for the property to be transferred to the City of Pacifica for use as trailhead parking adjacent to the CCT, once further improvements to close the gap in the CCT have been completed. Pursuant to Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution, this property may be transferred to DPR at a price that is at least the amount for which the property was initially purchased with specified transportation-related revenues. As such, this bill would facilitate the transfer of the Disney Lot property for at least $56,680, rather than current fair market value, resulting in one-time foregone revenues in the high hundreds of thousands of dollars. This future revenue loss would represent a General Fund impact, as proceeds from the sale of Caltrans’ surplus property are currently used to partially offset General Fund transportation-related debt service.

Staff notes that Caltrans and DPR regularly exchange or transfer jurisdiction of lands, as needed, to adjust boundaries between state parks and the state highway system using a Land Bank Exchange process that tracks debits and credits of transfers between the two entities. This bill would likely result in a credit to Caltrans on the land bank ledger, rather than a transfer of funds.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Dave Min, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB Hearing Date: June 25, 2024

Subject: State parks: Pedro Point

SUMMARY

This bill would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer certain surplus state property located in the City of Pacifica (Pacifica) known as the “Disney Lot” to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks or department) for state park purposes, as specified. This bill would provide legislative intent and make various findings and declarations in that regard.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

Background

State Parks. State Parks’ mission is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. With 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings, and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, the department contains the largest and most diverse recreational, natural, and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. More than 68 million people annually visit California’s state park system.

Pacifica State Beach. Also known as Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica operates this popular tourist destination located off Highway 1 in downtown Pacifica in San Mateo County. This beach marks the northern gateway to the coastline stretching south of San Francisco. The beach is dog-friendly, and offers opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, surfing, and nature and wildlife viewing. The area is home to western snowy plovers, who over-winter there from mid-August to April. According to Pacifica, this beach is the city’s most well-used beach.

California Coastal Trail (CCT). This trail is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California’s 1,230-mile-long coast. ACR 20 (Pavley, Resolution Chapter 99, Statutes of 2001) declared the CCT to be an official state trail and found that completion of the CCT is an integral part of the state’s responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) has been tasked by the Legislature to help complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the California Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.

The Disney Lot. Caltrans owns the “Disney Lot,” a property located immediately adjacent to an approximately 2,000-foot gap in the CCT within Pacifica. Caltrans has determined that the “Disney Lot” is surplus state property. Pacifica, in partnership with other public agencies, plans to make improvements to close this gap in the CCT.

The California Constitution:

1. Generally prohibits a person from excluding the right of way to frontage or tidal lands of a harbor, bay, inlet, estuary, or other navigable water in the state whenever it is required for any public purpose. Article X, Section 4.
2. With respect to surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of certain tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, authorizes the Legislature, by statute, to authorize the transfer of such property, for a consideration at least equal to the acquisition cost paid by the state to acquire the property, to State Parks for state park purposes, or other state agencies for certain purposes, as specified. Article XIX, Section 10.

Existing law:

1. Establishes State Parks within the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA). Vests State Parks with control of the state park system. State Parks is responsible for administering, protecting, developing, and interpreting the state park system for the use and enjoyment of the public, protecting this system from damage, and preserving the peace. Public Resources Code (PRC) §§501, 5001, 5003, and 5008.
2. Establishes the SCC in CNRA and directs this conservancy to coordinate the development of the CCT in consultation with State Parks, Caltrans, and the California Coastal Commission. PRC §31100 and §31408.
3. Requires, to the extent feasible, and consistent with their individual mandates, each agency, board, department, or commission of the state with property interests or regulatory authority in coastal areas to coordinate with the SCC, the California Coastal Commission, and Caltrans regarding development of the CCT. PRC §31408.
4. Vests Caltrans with full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property acquired for state highway purposes. Streets and Highways Code (SHC) §90.
5. Authorizes Caltrans, whenever it determines that any real property acquired by the state for highway purposes is no longer necessary, to sell, contract to sell, sell by the trust deed, or exchange the real property in the manner and upon terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission. SHC §118.
6. Requires Caltrans, to the greatest extent possible, to offer to sell or exchange excess real property within one year from the date that it is determined by Caltrans to be excess. Further, requires Caltrans to offer for sale or exchange to public agencies operating parks and recreational areas excess real property that consists of lands of notable environmental value, such as lands of extraordinary scenic beauty, lands within the boundaries of parks, and recreational areas, among others. SHC §118.6.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would:

1. Direct Caltrans to declare that the “Disney Lot” is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as specified.
2. Direct Caltrans to provide for the sale and transfer of the “Disney Lot” to State Parks for state park purposes, as specified.
3. Declare that the sale and transfer of the “Disney Lot” serves a public purpose.
4. State the Legislature’s intent that, after Caltrans sells and transfers the “Disney Lot” to State Parks for conversion to state park purposes, State Parks shall include this area in the management of Pacifica State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, until such time as the property may change ownership to a local agency for purposes consistent with trailhead parking adjacent to the CCT.
5. Make findings and declarations, including related to the need for a special statute.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and[,] in the longer term[,] increasing public access to the [CCT]. AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California’s beautiful state beaches.”

According to Pacifica, the sponsor, “AB 1937 would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future [CCT] extension in Pacifica. It would also reinforce prior State investments in the Pedro Point area such as a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped [Pacifica] acquire a five-acre parcel in the Pedro Point Headlands to create a continuous publicly-owned connection between Devil’s Slide Trail to the south and Pacifica State Beach to the north.”

“The parcel has significant potential for long-term public recreational use. It is located immediately adjacent to an approximately 2,000-foot gap in the CCT between the southern end of Pacifica State Beach and publicly-owned lands in the Pedro Point Headlands to the south. [Pacifica], in partnership with other public agencies, plans to make improvements to close this gap in the CCT. The [SCC] completed a feasibility study in 2019-202 and found the parcel to be an ideal location for CCT trailhead parking. Furthermore, on fair weather days, the Pacifica State Beach parking lots at the north end of the CCT gap become full and parking frequently spills over into nearby residential streets. The availability of the parcel for transfer from Caltrans presents an opportunity to support development of additional Pacifica State Beach parking in the near term and a CCT trailhead parking lot over a longer term once improvements are made to eliminate the CCT trail gap.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None received.

COMMENTS

Dual referral. This bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee and this Committee. The former Committee passed the bill on consent on June 11, 2024, without amendments. Elements of the bill under that Committee’s jurisdiction were discussed before that Committee and are included here for completeness and context only.

Need for the bill. Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast. The author maintains that the new parking area will help alleviate some of the dangers faced by beachgoers that currently cross Highway 1 on foot to reach Pacifica State Beach. In the longer-term, Pacifica would like to also use the property as trailhead parking once the CCT is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. This longer-term use would support a prior Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant of $304,535 to Pacifica to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for a future CCT alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

The parcel identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01 is approximately 15,121 square feet (0.35 acres). Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to Pacifica, it be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica is unable to afford the land at this price. This bill proposes a process that would allow State Parks to acquire the land for state park purposes at Caltrans’ original acquisition cost, which the author states was $56,680. This type of acquisition mechanism has been utilized previously in limited circumstances (see Related Legislation). Pacifica expects it should be able to identify local funds to acquire the property. Pacifica also plans to seek SCC funds as well, if available.

Figure 1. Caltrans Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01.

Related legislation.

AB 612 (Berman, 2023) is nearly identical to AB 1937. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 231 (McGuire, Chapter 289, Statutes of 2021) authorized Caltrans to transfer the Blues Beach property located in the unincorporated community of Westport in the County of Mendocino to a qualified nonprofit corporation organized by one or more specified California Native American tribes for the purpose of environmental protection.

SB 792 (Sher, Chapter 390, Statues of 2004) directed Caltrans to sell or transfer surplus land in the Martini Creek Devil’s Slide right-of-way to State Parks.

ACR 20 (Pavley, Resolution Chapter 99, Statutes of 2001) declared the CCT to be an official state trail and found that completion of the CCT is an integral part of the state’s responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity.

SUPPORT

City of Pacifica (sponsor)

OPPOSITION

None Received

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Senator Dave Cortese, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/11/2024

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer certain surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes. This bill would make various findings and declarations in that regard.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Caltrans owns land located immediately adjacent to an approximately 2,000-foot gap in the California Coastal Trail (CCT) within Pacifica. Pacifica, in partnership with other public agencies, plans to make improvements to close this gap in the CCT.
2. Caltrans has determined that the property, identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01, is surplus state property.
3. The State Coastal Conservancy completed a feasibility study in 2019-20 and found the property identified in Caltrans Director’s Deed 028801-01-01 to be an ideal location for CCT trailhead parking.

This bill:

1. Requires Caltrans to declare the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director’s Deed-028801-01-01 is surplus property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues pursuant to Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution.

1. Requires Caltrans to provide for the sale and transfer of this property to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes as provided under Section 10 of Article XIX of the California Constitution.

COMMENTS:

1. Authors Statement. According to the author, “California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail. AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California’s beautiful state beaches.”
2. State Property. This property is located within Pacifica between the southern end of Pacifica State Beach and publicly owned lands in the Pedro Point Headlands. Caltrans’ original acquisition cost of this property in 1963 was $56,680. This property was most recently appraised in 2020 for $756,000.

Potential excess real property means land and improvements situated outside of calculated highway right-of-way lines that may not be needed or used for a state highway purpose. Caltrans is required to sell or exchange such property within one year from the date that it is determined to be excess. (SHC 118.6)

Pursuant to Section 10, Article XIX of the California Constitution, the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, may authorize the transfer of such property, for a consideration at least equal to the acquisition cost paid by the state to acquire the property, to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park purposes, or to the Department of Fish and Game for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, or to the Wildlife Conservation Board for purposes of the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, or to the State Coastal Conservancy for the preservation of agricultural lands.

Related Legislation:

AB 612 (Berman, 2023). This bill is nearly identical. AB 612 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 792 (Sher, Chapter 390, Statues of 2004) directed Caltrans to sell or transfer surplus land in the Martini Creek Devil’s Slide right-of-way to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

June 5, 2024.)

SUPPORT:

City of Pacifica

OPPOSITION:

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the City of Pacifica, the transfer of ownership of an approximately 15,612 square foot parcel (approximately 0.36 acres) located in the Pedro Point neighborhood of Pacifica from Caltrans to the Department of Parks and Recreation would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future CCT extension. In addition, the transfer would reinforce prior state investments in the Pedro Point area by a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped Pacifica to acquire a five-acre parcel to create a continuous connection between the Devil’s Slide Trail and Pacifica State Beach.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: None Received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1937

Author:(Berman)

As Amended Ver:March 18, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer surplus state property in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for conversion to state park purposes.

Major Provisions

1. Lists findings and declarations regarding the duty to provide access to coastal lands for all Californians under Article X of the California Constitution and the Coastal Act of 1976.
2. Requires DPR to include the property in the Pedro Point neighborhood in the City of Pacifica in the management of the Pacific State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, when Caltrans sells the "Disney Lot" to DPR.
3. Requires Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director's Deed DD–028801–01–01, also known as the Disney Lot, is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as defined by the state constitution.
4. Requires Caltrans to sell or transfer the Disney Lot to DPR for state park purposes as defined by the state constitution.
5. States the sale and transfer of the "Disney Lot" serves a public purpose.
6. Provides that a special statute is necessary because of the unique circumstances of the city of Pacifica.

COMMENTS

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California's 1,230-mile-long coast. ACR 20 (Pavley), Resolution Chapter 99, Statutes of 2001, declared the CCT an official state trail and found that completion of the CCT is an integral part of the state's responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) has been tasked by the Legislature to complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.

Pacifica State Beach is a popular tourist destination, a wide crescent-shaped beach located off State Route 1 (SR 1). The northern gateway to part of the CCT runs discontinuously between the state's northern and southern border. Parking demands of beach-goers to Pacific State Beach and the California Coastal Trail exceed available parking and as a result, visitors park on nearby residential streets, straining local communities and causing beachgoers to make the dangerous SR 1 crossing.

To address these problems, and increase public access to the Coastal Trail, the city of Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel [Director's Deed (DD-028801), also known as the "Disney Lot"] in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast and, in the longer-term, to use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands.

Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to the city of Pacifica, it would be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica was unable to afford the land at this price.

This bill proposes a process that would allow DPR to acquire the land at Caltrans' original acquisition cost, for state park purposes. The mechanism proposed in this bill for the transfer of this property is based on SB 792 (Sher) Chapter 390, Statutes of 2004 which allowed for Caltrans to sell and transfer property in the Martini Creek Bypass Alignment to DPR.

In addition to increasing the safety of beachgoers in the area and reducing parking on local streets, the acquisition and future use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the city of Pacifica through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for the future Coastal Trail alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

Finally, State Parks notes the property transfer authorized in this bill would not involve a true "sale" of land or transfer of funds between agencies. According to State Parks, Caltrans and State Parks regularly exchange or transfer jurisdiction of lands, as needed, to adjust boundaries between state parks and the state highway system. Since the value of land has been relatively equal between the two agencies over the long-term, State Parks and Caltrans keep track of individual transfers by using a debt or credit system, sometimes referred to as a "land bank," in lieu of transferring funds for each transaction. Assuming this process is used, the value of the Pedro Point property would likely result in a credit to Caltrans.

According to the Author

"California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California's coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail.

AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California's beautiful state beaches."

Arguments in Support

City of Pacifica writes, "AB 1937 would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future California Coastal Trail (CCT) extension in Pacifica. It would also reinforce prior State investments in the Pedro Point area such as a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped the City acquire a five-acre parcel in the Pedro Point Headlands to create a continuous publicly-owned connection between Devil's Slide Trail to the south and Pacifica State Beach to the north."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations:

1) Revenue loss of an unknown amount, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to the General Fund, to the extent the Pedro Point surplus state property is transferred to State Parks at a price that reflects less than the property's current fair market value. The exact loss is unknown at this time because the fair market value of this property may change over time, and the sale price to State Parks is also unknown at this time. As noted below, the property was acquired in 1963 for $56,680 and was most recently appraised in 2020 for $756,060.

2) Staff costs of an unknown but relatively minor amount, likely between $5,000 and $10,000, for the Department of General Services (DGS) to manage the transaction. These costs would be covered by Caltrans and State Parks (General Fund).

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.

VOTES

ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-0

YES: Wilson, Davies, Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Juan Carrillo, Hart, Hoover, Jackson, Lowenthal, Papan, Sanchez, Ting, Wallis, Ward, Wicks

ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 14-0-1

YES: Papan, Addis, Alanis, Alvarez, Bennett, Bonta, Gallagher, Davies, Garcia, Hart, Luz Rivas, Schiavo, Villapudua, Weber

ABS, ABST OR NV: Mathis

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta, Villapudua

UPDATED

VERSION: March 18, 2024

CONSULTANT: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0002977

Date of Hearing: May 8, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1937

Author:(Berman) – As Amended Ver:March 18, 2024

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer specified surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks).

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires Caltrans to declare the Pedro Point excess property identified in “Director’s Deed DD–028801–01–01”, also known as the “Disney Lot,” as surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, pursuant to the state constitution.
2. Requires Caltrans to sell and transfer the specified surplus state property to State Parks for state park purposes, as provided in the state constitution. Declares that the sale and transfer of property required by this bill serves a public purpose.
3. States legislative intent that after Caltrans sells the surplus state property to State Parks, State Parks must include this area in the management of Pacifica State Beach for park purposes consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, until such time as the property may change ownership to a local agency for purposes consistent with trailhead parking adjacent to the California Coastal Trail (CCT).

FISCAL EFFECT:

1) Revenue loss of an unknown amount, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to the General Fund, to the extent the Pedro Point surplus state property is transferred to State Parks at a price that reflects less than the property’s current fair market value. The exact loss is unknown at this time because the fair market value of this property may change over time, and the sale price to State Parks is also unknown at this time. As noted below, the property was acquired in 1963 for $56,680 and was most recently appraised in 2020 for $756,060.

2) Staff costs of an unknown but relatively minor amount, likely between $5,000 and $10,000, for the Department of General Services (DGS) to manage the transaction. These costs would be covered by Caltrans and State Parks (General Fund).

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.

COMMENTS:

1) Purpose. According to the author:

California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail. AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use.

2) Background. The CCT is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California’s 1,230-mile-long coast. ACR 20 (Pavley), Resolution Chapter 99, Statutes of 2001, declared the CCT an official state trail and found that completion of the CCT is an integral part of the state’s responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) has been tasked by the Legislature to complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.

In the City of Pacifica, the CCT provides a scenic corridor with views of the coast and State Route 1, and is popular for a variety of recreational pursuits, including hiking and biking. The city would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast. The author maintains that parking demands of beach-goers to Pacifica State Beach and the CCT exceed available parking and, as a result, visitors park on nearby residential streets, straining local communities and causing beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing. In the longer-term, the city would like to also use the property as CCT trailhead parking once the CCT is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The future use of this property as CCT trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the City of Pacifica through a Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for future CCT alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

The parcel identified in Caltrans’ “Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01” is identified by Caltrans as surplus state property. Current law requires if Caltrans were to sell the land to the City of Pacifica, it be sold at or above the fair market price. Pacifica is unable to afford the land at this price. However, the California Constitution allows the Legislature to authorize the transfer of surplus state property located in the coastal zone at a price no less than the price the state paid when it acquired the property. Transfer recipients are limited to State Parks for state park purposes, the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, the Wildlife Conservation Board to further its goals, and SCC for the preservation of agricultural lands.

This bill proposes a process for State Parks to acquire the land for state park purposes at Caltrans’ original acquisition cost in 1963, which was $56,680. This type of acquisition mechanism has been utilized previously in limited circumstances. For example, SB 792 (Sher), Chapter 390, Statutes of 2004, allowed Caltrans to sell and transfer property in the Martini Creek Bypass Alignment to State Parks. However, it is not clear if Caltrans or State Parks is allowed to sell the property to the City of Pacifica at below fair market value without explicit legislative authorization.

Finally, State Parks notes the property transfer authorized in this bill would not involve a true "sale" of land or transfer of funds between agencies. According to State Parks, Caltrans and State Parks regularly exchange or transfer jurisdiction of lands, as needed, to adjust boundaries between state parks and the state highway system. Since the value of land has been relatively equal between the two agencies over the long-term, State Parks and Caltrans keep track of individual transfers by using a debt or credit system, sometimes referred to as a "land bank," in lieu of transferring funds for each transaction. Assuming this process is used, the value of the Pedro Point property would likely result in a credit to Caltrans.

3) Related Legislation. AB 612 (Berman) of the current legislative session is identical to this bill. AB 612 remains on this committee’s suspense file.

Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 23, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE

Diane Papan, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1937 (

Author:Berman) – As Amended Ver:March 18, 2024

SUBJECT: State parks: Pedro Point

SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer specified surplus state property it owns in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks). Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director’s Deed DD–028801–01–01, also known as the “Disney Lot,” is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as defined by the state constitution.
2. Requires Caltrans to sell and transfer the specified surplus state property to State Parks for state park purposes.
3. States Legislative intent that after Caltrans sells the surplus state property to State Parks, State Parks shall include this area in the management of Pacifica State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, until such time as the property may change ownership to a local agency for purposes consistent with trailhead parking adjacent to the California Coastal Trail.
4. States the sale and transfer of the Disney lot serves a public purpose.
5. Makes various findings and declarations relating to the surplus property, the California Coastal Trail (CCT), and the importance of coastal access.
6. Makes legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the surplus state property in the City of Pacifica.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Authorizes the Legislature, by statute, with respect to surplus state property located in the coastal zone and acquired with revenues restricted by California Constitution Article XIX to transportation purposes, to authorize the transfer of that property to State Parks for state park purposes, to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, to the Wildlife Conservation Board for purposes of the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, or to the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) for the preservation of agricultural lands, for a consideration at least equal to the property’s purchase price (California Constitution Article XIX § 10).
2. Defines “coastal zone” as the land and water area of the State of California from the Oregon border to the border of the Republic of Mexico, specified on the maps identified and set forth in Section 17 of Chapter 1330 of the Statutes of 1976, extending seaward to the state’s outer limit of jurisdiction, including all offshore islands, and extending inland generally 1,000 yards from the mean high tide line of the sea. Extends inland to the first major ridgeline paralleling the sea or five miles from the mean high tide line of the sea, whichever is less, in significant coastal estuarine, habitat, and recreational areas. Generally extends inland less than 1,000 yards in developed urban areas. Excludes from the coastal zone the area of jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, established pursuant to Title 7.2 (commencing with Section 66600) of the Government Code, nor any area contiguous thereto, including any river, stream, tributary, creek, or flood control or drainage channel flowing into such area [Public Resources Code (PRC) § 30103].
3. Establishes the California state park system and vests State Parks with control of the state park system and responsibility for administering, protecting, developing, and interpreting state parks for the use and enjoyment of the public (PRC § 5001 et seq.).
4. Grants Caltrans full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property acquired for state highway purposes. Authorizes and directs Caltrans to lay out and construct all state highways between the termini designated by law and on the locations as determined by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) [Streets and Highways Code (SHC) § 90].
5. Allows Caltrans, whenever it determines that any real property acquired by the state for highway purposes is no longer necessary, to sell, contract to sell, sell by the trust deed, or exchange the real property in the manner and upon terms, standards, and conditions established by the CTC (SHC § 118).
6. Requires Caltrans, to the greatest extent possible, to offer to sell or exchange excess real property, meaning all land and improvements situated outside of the calculated highway right-of-way lines not needed or used for highway or other public purposes, within one year from the date that it is determined to be excess (SHC § 118.6).
7. Requires the State Coastal Conservancy, in consultation with State Parks, the California Coastal Commission, and Caltrans, to coordinate the development of CCT, and requires certain state and regional transportation planning agencies to coordinate with the State Coastal Conservancy, the California Coastal Commission, and Caltrans regarding development of the CCT (PRC § 31408; Government Code § 65080.1).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose of this bill. This bill directs Caltrans to sell the surplus property identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01 to State Parks for state park purposes at the price initially paid by Caltrans for the acquisition. According to the author, “[This bill] facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to [State Parks], and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. […] This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the [CCT].”
2. Background. Pacifica State Beach is a popular tourist destination located off Highway 1 in San Mateo County. The City of Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast. The author maintains that the new parking area will help alleviate some of the dangers faced by beachgoers that currently cross Highway 1 on foot to reach Pacifica State Beach. In the longer-term, Pacifica would like to also use the property as CCT trailhead parking once the CCT is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The future use as CCT trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the City of Pacifica through a Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for the future Coastal Trail alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.
   
   Figure 1. Caltrans Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01.
   
   The parcel identified in Director’s Deed DD-028801-01-01 is approximately 15,121 square feet (0.35 acres). Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to the City of Pacifica it be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica is unable to afford the land at this price. This bill proposes a process that would allow State Parks to acquire the land for state park purposes at Caltrans’ original acquisition cost, which the author states was $56,680. This type of acquisition mechanism has been utilized previously in limited circumstances (see Related Legislation, below). Pacifica expects it should be able to identify local funds to acquire the property. Pacifica also plans to seek SCC funds as well, if available.
   
   California Coastal Trail. The CCT is an integrated network of trails that, when completed, will provide a multimodal opportunity to walk and bike the length of California’s 1,230-mile-long coast. ACR 20 (Pavley, Resolution Chapter 99, Statutes of 2001) declared the CCT to be an official state trail and found that completion of the CCT is an integral part of the State’s responsibility to provide public coastal access for all in perpetuity. Today, roughly 70% of the CCT is complete, and SCC has been tasked by the Legislature to help complete it in collaboration with Caltrans, State Parks, and the Coastal Commission. SCC pursues this mandate in part by awarding grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land rights, and to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access to and along the coast.
   
3. Arguments in support. The City of Pacifica writes in support, stating that this bill “would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future CCT extension in Pacifica.”
4. Double referral. This bill was also referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee and passed that committee 15–0 on consent on April 8, 2024.
5. Related legislation. AB 612 (Berman) of 2023 was identical to this bill. AB 612 died in Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 231 (McGuire) Chapter 289, Statutes of 2021, authorized Caltrans to transfer the Blues Beach property located in the unincorporated community of Westport in the County of Mendocino to a qualified nonprofit corporation organized by one or more specified California Native American tribes for the purpose of environmental protection.

SB 792 (Sher) Chapter 390, Statutes of 2004, directed Caltrans to sell land associated with the Martini Creek Devil’s Slide bypass to State Parks.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

City of Pacifica (Sponsor)

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Stephanie Mitchell / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096

Date of Hearing: April 8, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Lori D. Wilson, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1937 (

Author:Berman) – As Amended Ver:March 18, 2024

SUBJECT: State parks: Pedro Point

SUMMARY: Requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to sell and transfer surplus state property in the City of Pacifica to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for conversion to state park purposes. Specifically, this bill:

1. Lists findings and declarations regarding the duty to provide access to coastal lands for all Californians under Article X of the California Constitution and the Coastal Act of 1976.
2. Requires DPR to include the property in the Pedro Point neighborhood in the City of Pacifica in the management of the Pacific State Beach for park purposes that are consistent with the City of Pacifica Certified Local Coastal Program, when Caltrans sells the “Disney Lot” to DPR.
3. Requires Caltrans to declare that the Pedro Point excess property identified in Director’s Deed DD–028801–01–01, also known as the Disney Lot, is surplus state property acquired by the expenditure of tax revenues and located in the coastal zone, as defined by the state constitution.
4. Requires Caltrans to sell or transfer the Disney Lot to DPR for state park purposes as defined by the state constitution.
5. States the sale and transfer of the “Disney Lot” serves a public purpose.
6. Provides that a special statute is necessary because of the unique circumstances of the city of Pacifica.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Permits the sale or transfer of surplus state property located in a coastal zone and is acquired with the use of motor vehicle-related tax revenue at or above the acquisition cost paid by the State to acquire the property, to DPR for state park purposes, or to the Department of Fish and Game for the protection and preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, or to the Wildlife Conservation Board for purposes of the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, or to the State Coastal Conservancy for the preservation of agricultural lands. (California Constitution (CONS) Article XIX 10)
2. Defines “Coastal zone” as the land and water area of the State of California from the Oregon border to the border of the Republic of Mexico, as specified. (Public Resources Code (PRC) 30103)
3. Grants Caltrans full possession and control of all state highways and all property and rights in property acquired for state highway purposes. (Streets and Highways Code (SHC) Section 90)
4. Allows Caltrans, whenever it determines that any real property acquired by the state for highway purposes is no longer necessary, may sell, contract to sell, sell by the trust deed, or exchange the real property in the manner and upon terms, standards, and conditions established by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). (SHC Section 118)
5. Requires Caltrans to offer to sell or exchange excess real property, meaning all land and improvements situated outside of the calculated highway right-of-way lines not needed or used for highway or other public purposes, within one year from the date that it is determined to be excess. (SHC Section 118)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Pacifica State Beach is a popular tourist destination, a wide crescent-shaped beach located off State Route 1 (SR 1). The northern gateway to part of the California Coastal Trail runs discontinuously between the state’s northern and southern border. Parking demands of beach-goers to Pacific State Beach and the California Coastal Trail exceed available parking and as a result, visitors park on nearby residential streets, straining local communities and causing beachgoers to make the dangerous SR 1 crossing.

To address these problems, and increase public access to the Coastal Trail, the city of Pacifica would like to acquire an excess Caltrans parcel [Director’s Deed (DD-028801), also known as the “Disney Lot”] in the Pedro Point area to create, in the near-term, additional public beach parking associated with Pacifica State Beach located approximately 800 feet to the northeast and, in the longer-term, to use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands.

Current law requires that if Caltrans were to sell the land to the city of Pacifica, it would be sold at or above the fair market price of $756,050. Pacifica was unable to afford the land at this price.

This bill proposes a process that would allow DPR to acquire the land at Caltrans’ original acquisition cost, for state park purposes. The mechanism proposed in this bill for the transfer of this property is based on SB 792 (Sher) Chapter 390, Statutes of 2004 which allowed for Caltrans to sell and transfer property in the Martini Creek Bypass Alignment to DPR.

In addition to increasing the safety of beachgoers in the area and reducing parking on local streets, the acquisition and future use as Coastal Trail trailhead parking would support prior state expenditures of $304,535 awarded to the city of Pacifica through the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to partially fund the acquisition of five acres in the Pedro Point Headlands for the future Coastal Trail alignment. The parcel acquired with HCF funds is located approximately 300 feet south of the Caltrans parcel in question.

According to the author, “California has longstanding goals of helping more people access and enjoy the coastal outdoors, and sustaining local economies along the length of California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay. This bill supports those goals by expanding public access to Pacifica State Beach in the near-term, and in the longer term increasing public access to the Coastal Trail.

AB 1937 facilitates the transfer of an excess Caltrans property to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and eventually to the City of Pacifica to redevelop it for public use. The property will serve as parking for Pacifica State Beach and will eventually serve as Coastal Trail trailhead parking, once the Coastal Trail is constructed into and through the Pedro Point Headlands. The lot will reduce the need for beachgoers to make the dangerous Highway 1 crossing and will ensure that more people can access California’s beautiful state beaches.”

In support, the City of Pacifica writes, “AB 1937 would expand coastal access around Pacifica State Beach and support a future California Coastal Trail (CCT) extension in Pacifica. It would also reinforce prior State investments in the Pedro Point area such as a Habitat Conservation Fund grant that helped the City acquire a five-acre parcel in the Pedro Point Headlands to create a continuous publicly-owned connection between Devil’s Slide Trail to the south and Pacifica State Beach to the north.”

Previous legislation. AB 612 (Berman) of 2023 would have required Caltrans to sell and transfer property, as specified, to DPR for conversion to state park purposes. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 231 (McGuire) Chapter 289, Statutes of 2021 authorized Caltrans to transfer the Blues Beach property located in the unincorporated community of Westport in the County of Mendocino.

SB 792 (Sher) Chapter 390, Statutes of 2004 directed Caltrans to sell land associated with the Devil’s Slide bypass to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

City of Pacifica

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Julia Kingsley / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093