California Water Service Company (Cal Water) Coastal Development Permit, Conditional Use Permit, and Design Review (P4593)

The applicant, California Water Service Company (Cal Water), a regulated public water utility, requests Coastal Development Permit, Conditional Use Permit, and Design Review approvals to legalize the construction and operation of a public water supply well and associated improvements on a lot owned in fee by the applicant and within an easement on an adjacent lot developed with a resort facility (Dillon Beach Resort) in the unincorporated community of Dillon Beach.

The existing improvements on the applicant-owned lot include a public water supply well, an associated well house enclosing the well, supporting utility infrastructure, and a pedestrian access path.

The public water supply well is located near the center of the applicant-owned lot, with minimum setbacks of 47 feet, 11 inches from the northern property line; 50 feet, 5 inches from the eastern property line; 48 feet, 10 inches from the western property line; and 50 feet, 19 inches from the southern property line. The well extends approximately 60 feet below grade within an 11-inch-diameter borehole and consists of a 5-inch-diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing. The upper 30 feet of the well is surrounded by a cement annular seal designed to prevent the infiltration of surface water and shallow groundwater. The lower 30 feet, extending from approximately 30 to 60 feet below grade, consists of a PVC well screen with 1/32-inch slots surrounded by a coarse sand filter pack to facilitate groundwater extraction while limiting sediment intrusion.

The associated well house is constructed of corrugated metal panels and is located directly above the public water supply well, enclosing the wellhead and associated equipment. The well house measures 43 square feet in area, reaches a maximum height of approximately 8 feet, 5 inches above grade, and maintains minimum setbacks of 45 feet, 3 inches from the northern property line; 46 feet, 2 inches from the eastern property line; 45 feet from the western property line; and 45 feet, 8 inches from the southern property line of the applicant-owned lot.

The remaining improvements on the applicant-owned lot include supporting utility infrastructure consisting of a 2-inch-diameter water line and an electrical line, as well as a pedestrian access path, all extending from the public water supply well and associated well house. The utility lines are installed below grade in trenches and extend approximately 44 feet north and then 37 feet east, crossing the eastern property line of the applicant-owned lot. The pedestrian access path follows the same alignment, extending from the well facility to and across the eastern property line.

Improvements within the easement on the adjacent property include the continuation of the underground utility infrastructure, consisting of the 2-inch-diameter water line and electrical line, as well as the pedestrian access path connecting the public water supply well to the existing water service station. The utility lines are installed below grade in trenches and extend approximately 293 linear feet east along the entire length of the easement to the existing water service station. The pedestrian access path follows the same alignment, providing access between the well facility and the existing water service station.

Coastal Development Permit approval is required pursuant to Sections 20.68.060(G) and 20.68.060(M) of the Marin County Coastal Zoning Code because the project involves the construction of a water well and associated improvements for the establishment of a public utility land use, which are neither exempt nor categorically excluded from Coastal Development Permit requirements.

Conditional Use Permit approval is required pursuant to Section 20.62.080(C), Table 5-3-e, of the Marin County Coastal Zoning Code because the project involves the establishment of a public utility land use, which is conditionally permitted within the governing C-RCR (Coastal, Resort and Commercial Recreation) zoning district.

Design Review approval is required pursuant to Policy EG-4.1 of the Dillon Beach Community Plan because the project is located entirely within a stream buffer area identified in the Community Plan.
 

Zoning: C-RCR (Coastal, Resort and Commercial Recreation District)
Countywide Plan Designation: C-RC (Recreational Commercial Coastal Zone)
Community Plan (if applicable): Dillon Beach Community Plan