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KUSP LandWatch
News
Week of April 21, 2003 to April 25, 2003
"Listen Live"
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KUSP LandWatch
News |
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ogo.gif" width="108" height="109" border="0"> "Listen Live" |
KUSP provided a brief Land Use Report on KUSP Radio from January 2003 to May 2016. Archives of past transcripts are available here.
Week of Week of April 21, 2003 to April 25, 2003
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors.
Monday,
April 21, 2003 – The Monterey Bay Crescent
Land use policies affect not only our natural environment. They
have a direct effect on the economy and social equity, too. The
opposite is also the case. Economic, environmental, and social realities
often have a determinative effect on the kind of land use policies
adopted in our local communities. And these land use policies really
do drive future growth and development.
Getting involved in land use decision making (which I promote here on KUSP each weekday morning) requires our focused attention not only on the natural environment, but on social conditions, and on economic development issues, as well. The nonprofit group I work for, LandWatch Monterey County, likes to say that good land use policies must address each one of the "Three E’s": Environment, Economy, and Equity.
Last Friday, I did some investigation on the future economy of the Monterey Bay Region, and spent time at the UC MBEST Center in Marina. This is the Education, Science, and Technology Center operated by UC Santa Cruz. A stunning and informative brochure is available at MBEST, outlining the economic development potential of the twenty-six marine education and research facilities located around Monterey Bay. Check the KUSP website at www.kusp.org to get your free copy.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Request A Free Copy of The Crescent Brochure at info@ucmbest.org
Crescent Website
http://www.mbcorc.orgMore Information
http://www.ucsc.edu/oncampus/currents/97-98/05-25/mbcorc.htmThe MBEST Center
http://www.ucmbest.org/
Tuesday,
April 22, 2003 – Around The County Breakfast in Seaside
Massive grading and development activities are visibly underway
in Seaside. This is the new development being constructed by KB
Homes, a partnership that includes Kaufman and Broad, one of the
largest residential builders in the nation.
Last week, a spokesperson for KB Homes was asked why the lowest price for one of the new homes is $475,000, when KB Homes told the Seaside City Council last year that home prices would begin at $300,000. "The prices are what they are," he said, "because the market will bear it." This is, in a way, a refreshing reminder of basic economic realities. While the Seaside City Council could have put price restrictions on at least some of the homes, they relied instead on statements made by the developer, which have now been disavowed, "because the market will bear it." That is how the market works, and since the "market" for Monterey Bay real estate is probably national in scope, local residents are unlikely to out-compete those with more money, who currently live elsewhere.
If you’d like to discuss how to provide affordable housing on the former Fort Ord, for local residents, come to a breakfast tomorrow, Wednesday April 23rd, at 7:30 in the morning, at Sarita’s Restaurant, 1936 Fremont Boulevard in Seaside. There’s more information at www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
City of Seaside Website - http://bbs.ci.seaside.ca.us/
A link to the website for the "Seaside Highlands" project is found on the City website.
A LandWatch "Around the County" breakfast will be held on April 23, 2003, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at Sarita’s Mexican Restaurant, 1936 Fremont Boulevard in Seaside, and will focus on inclusionary housing policies and affordable housing opportunities on the Former Fort Ord lands.
Wednesday,
April 23, 2003 – Seaside Groundwater Basin Update
Social equity and economic issues play a key role in land use decision
making. Still, the ultimate test for good land use policy is often
found by paying close attention to the constraints of the natural
environment. Let’s take water, as an example. Throughout the
Central Coast, water quality and water supply issues are of paramount
importance. Groundwater basins are being routinely overdrafted,
and surface water sources are being stretched far beyond their natural
capacity.
On the Monterey Peninsula, where water issues have been a hot public policy topic for years, the problems involve both surface water and groundwater sources. Water providers are currently taking about 10,000 acre feet per year from the Carmel River that they’re really not authorized to take, and so the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District is working to find a viable replacement water source. While work goes forward on that surface water issue, the Water Management District is also paying attention to the Seaside Ground Water Basin, which will play an increasingly important role in future efforts to provide a reliable water supply to the Peninsula and Carmel Valley.
If you’d like to find out more about the Seaside Ground Water Basin, let me alert you to a meeting to be held this evening, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the offices of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, 5 Harris Court, Building G, in Monterey. You’re invited!
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
MPWMD Website - http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/mpwmd.htm
Thursday,
April 24, 2003 – The Monterey County ZA Hearings
Land use decisions make a big difference in our lives. Our economy,
our society, and our environment are all profoundly affected by
the kind of land uses we allow. This is a message I unashamedly
reiterate each weekday morning. As regular listeners know, I also
advertise the website resources that go along with these weekday
broadcasts. If you go to www.kusp.org, you can find transcripts
of these Land Use Reports, and usually some additional information.
You can send me an email with a question or comment, too.
Land use decisions are community decisions, largely made at the local government level, and that means that interested members of the community can have a major impact on what happens. Of course, nothing is automatic. If we believe in "self-government," then we do have to get involved ourselves.
One way to get involved is at the "policy" level. That’s where you create the most impact, because land use policies, adopted as part of a local General Plan, will shape all the individual "project" decisions that must be "consistent" with General Plan requirements.
But let’s not discount the "project" level. It’s also important, and the Monterey County Zoning Administrator (or ZA) is holding a hearing this morning at the Salinas Courthouse, starting at 9:30, to consider nine separate individual applications, from throughout Monterey County. You’re invited!
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Friday,
April 25, 2003 – The Monterey County GPU
If you’ve heard this Land Use Report before, you’ve heard
my "pitch." I’m encouraging all of us, as local residents,
to get involved with the land use decision making process that will
have such an important impact on the future of our local communities.
Most of us think that land use issues are about specific "projects." Should a new subdivision be allowed on farmland? Should a shopping center be expanded? Should your next door neighbor be allowed to construct a second unit, to rent out to a student? These "project level" decisions are important, no doubt about it.
State law, however, says that every project level decision must be "consistent" with the policy established in a local General Plan. If a community is able to make its big decisions at the "policy" level, then it will automatically have made decisions about every project level decision to follow. If a community adopts a policy stating that no developments should go on commercially viable agricultural land, then you don’t have to debate that issue in hundreds of individual applications.
Next Tuesday, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is expected to receive its "second draft" of a new General Plan Update. Thereafter, that document will be reviewed, and probably changed, and public comment and participation is definitely needed. Now is a particularly good time to get involved, and to make sure your involvement has the greatest impact possible on the future of your community.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Monterey County General Plan Update Website
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/gpu/
Archives of past transcripts are available here
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