Oakland train whistles & land along Route 1 (Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay: live, approval)

[KyleM]

I'm pondering two things:

1. I am visiting a relative in Oakland and hear nearly continuous train whistles at all hours (except for dead of night). Is this normal for this area, or is there something else going on?

2. I have driven Route 1 from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay a number of times over the years and always wondered how it has remained so undeveloped. I realize some of it is state land, and wildlife preserves... but what about all that fenced farmland? Why hasn't anybody sold out to developers? Not that I want it to change... I'm just stunned it's remained so pristine and am curious why.

Cheers and thanks!

[Palmer Eldritch]

1. Your realtive probably lives near some train tracks for Amtrack or perhaps Southern Pacific. Oakland is a big port city and has a lot of trains running through it in certain areas.

2. The California Coastal Commission prevents development along Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. This is true even if you own the land and want to develop it. You have to get approval from the CCC first and they won't (thank God) give it to you.

[KyleM]

Hey, thanks Palmer. Funny thing, the trains have been silent today....

Good to know about the CCC. I will look them up!

[sonarrat]

There was a thread about 2) not long ago.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-f...a-cruz-no.html