The San Mateo County Planning Commission on Nov. 20 unanimously approved a coastal development permit and initial study authorizing bank stabilization and habitat restoration work along Mills Creek adjacent to Higgins Canyon Road.

Department of Public Works staff described the project as a roughly 190‑foot shoulder/retaining wall and about 185 feet of bio‑stabilization bank repair designed to stabilize a slide that has caused 1–2 feet of pavement failure and threatens continued loss of roadway shoulder. Staff said landslides began in 2021 and worsened through 2023 and that repair is needed to maintain public access.

Engineering details: DPW engineers said the design uses steel soldier piles with concrete lagging and vegetated, reinforced soil lifts; pile lengths will range from roughly 20 to 40 feet, with the deepest piles driven to bedrock. The repair will reestablish the creek channel away from the shoulder, reinstall asphalt‑concrete drainage swales and revegetate disturbed areas with native riparian plants. Staff noted the project requires coordination with state and federal agencies (including US Fish and Wildlife Service) because work occurs in waters of the United States.

Funding and procedural notes: Staff said the work is part of response to an emergency declaration (2023) and that easements with adjacent private property owners are being pursued; Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District owns adjacent parcels and is cooperating on the project. There were no public speakers on this item.

Action taken: A commissioner moved to adopt the initial study/CEQA determination and approve the coastal development permit (file referenced in the staff report); the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous vote (Commissioners Garcia, Gupta, Nugent and the Chair voting "Aye").

Why it matters: The repair preserves public access on a county road used to reach state and regional parks and addresses repeated landslide and pavement failures that have compromised the roadway. The project also integrates bioengineering measures intended to reduce erosion and restore riparian habitat.

Ending: Staff said the department will continue design, secure required easements and coordinate required state and federal permits; construction timing depends on permitting and funding steps. The commission approved the permit and initial study on the record.