Residents of Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino who want a say in how local open spaces are protected can apply for a vacant seat on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors, which voted to appoint a successor to a longtime director who just stepped down.
Jed Cyr stepped down Oct. 15 after nearly 30 years on the board, which voted last week to fill the remainder of his term by appointment, rather than hold a special election that the district estimates would cost $2.1 million to $3.4 million, according to the district.
Midpen, as the agency is known, protects natural areas, restores wildlife habitats and provides public access to trails and outdoor recreation across parts of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.
Cyr represented Ward 3, which includes Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino. He was first elected in 1996 and served continuously until his resignation.
During his time on the board, Midpen expanded its work along the San Mateo County coast, protecting more than 32,000 additional acres. The district also opened the Mount Umunhum summit to the public, established Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, and connected 80 miles of continuous Bay Trail through the Ravenswood Trail Project.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and registered voters living in Ward 3. Residents can use the district’s interactive map to check whether they live in the ward.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 6. They are available online or at Midpen’s administrative office at 5050 El Camino Real in Los Altos.
Public interviews are scheduled for November and December. The district’s website lists Dec. 9 as the planned appointment date. The selected director will serve until Jan. 1, 2029, when the seat is scheduled to return to voters in a public election.
Separately, voters will choose a representative for Ward 1 in the Nov. 3 general election. That ward includes Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Lexington Hills and parts of Cupertino.