A new law, effective January 1st has automatically directed the State Lands Commission to negotiate public access to Martin’s Beach. The popular San Mateo County Beach has had public access blocked by the new owner of the 89 acre parcel since 2010, after decades of open access. The law also directs the commission to consider invoking the power of eminent domain, ultimately to force the sale of a state right of way, if the negotiations are unproductive at the end of 2015. The legislation is seen as a relatively fast way to resolve access conflicts that otherwise can be tied up through appeals processes for years.
