La Honda Creek Preserve (Blair Barnett)

Good Neighbor Policy Update

La Honda Creek Preserve (Blair Barnett)
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Midpen has a number of board-adopted policies that govern our work. The Good Neighbor Policy demonstrates the District’s commitment to building and maintaining good relationships with neighbors. The policy defines neighbors as residents and property owners located adjacent or close to a District preserve who may be affected by maintenance or visitor activities on the preserves.

The District concluded the public feedback period of the Good Neighbor Policy update on November 26, 2023. A draft policy with public feedback incorporated is expected to be presented to the Board of Directors in early 2024. 

Minor language changes are being proposed to clarify the intent of certain policy provisions, including whether they apply across the entire geography of the District or only to the Coastside Protection Area. Please review the red-lined draft policy language here or you may also view these documents in-person at the District Administrative Office at 5050 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Assets and Organizational Support
Organization Support

The purpose of the Good Neighbor Policy is to establish guidelines and principles for ensuring good relationships between the District and its neighbors. In both the day-to-day conduct and in the long-range planning for public open space preserves, the District will make every effort to cooperate with neighbors, to take into account their perspectives, address their concerns, and engage and involve them in the process of making decisions regarding the public preserves.

The current version of the policy consists of three sections: public participation and privacy; land purchase, planning and management; and public information, education and outreach. The policy also references other relevant District policies that provide additional direction on aspects of District activities that complement the Good Neighbor Policy.

The goal of this update project is to review the policy to:

  • Identify potential inconsistencies with other District policies, processes and/or procedures
  • Identify potential gaps or changes in the needs of preserve neighbors
  • Clarify language
  • Consider opportunities to reflect current best practices and emerging issues, such as
    • inclusive language
    • hybrid and remote meeting opportunities
    • modern communication methods 

Stay informed!

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Timeline 

March 28, 2023Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee reviews Good Neighbor update plan
Spring - Summer 2023

Internal review of current Good Neighbor Policy and creation of updated draft

August 29, 2023

Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee review and approval of draft Good Neighbor Policy

Fall 2023Public comment period for proposed changes to Good Neighbor Policy
November 14, 2023Virtual public workshop held via Zoom
November 26, 2023Public comment period closes
March 12, 2024Legislative, Funding and Public Affairs Committee review and approval of draft Good Neighbor Policy
Spring 2024Board review of public comment and finalization of Good Neighbor policy update

Documents & Reports

Current Good Neighbor Policy

Red-Lined Draft Good Neighbor Policy for Review

March 28, 2023 LFPAC Agenda Report

August 29, 2023 LFPAC Agenda Report

Related Projects

As a special district, Midpen uses a variety of policies to govern our work to fulfill our mission and to regulate how open space lands are used.