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KUSP LandWatch
News
Week of June 23, 2003 to June 27, 2003
"Listen Live"
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KUSP LandWatch
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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 June 23, 2003 to June 27, 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,
June 23, 2003 – Development Agreements and La Bahia
Historic decisions are on the agenda for the Santa Cruz City Council.
Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., the Council will consider a proposed “development
agreement” between Barry Swenson Builder, the Seaside Company,
and the City of Santa Cruz. At stake is the future of the La Bahia
apartment complex, located right across from the city’s main
beach. The proposed development agreement will allow the conversion
of the apartment complex into a 118-unit hotel, with a 144-space
underground parking garage.
“Development Agreements” are contracts between a local government and a property owner. They insulate developers from future changes in planning rules and regulations, and often freeze the level of planning fees. They can play a vital role in stimulating desirable development, because they give “certainty” to developers. On the other hand, it’s important not to give away too much. The city can’t change the conditions, once they sign the contract. Approving a development agreement is one of the most serious actions that a city council can take, because it cuts off the right of the city to respond to changed conditions—or to change its mind.
Also on the agenda is the San Lorenzo Urban River Plan, the next step in the restoration of the San Lorenzo River downtown. It’s an important meeting, and you’re invited. Visit www.kusp.org for more information.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
City of Santa Cruz Website
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/
Tuesday,
June 24, 2003 – Big Day for the Monterey County GPU
It would be hard to overstate the importance of the meeting being
held today by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Starting
at 2:00 p.m., the Board is going to be considering what to do, procedurally,
about the proposed Monterey County General Plan Update. So far,
the County has spent over three years and over three million dollars
on the General Plan Update project. They’re about half done.
The process began with extensive public outreach. Based on what the public wanted, the Board of Supervisors adopted a set of twelve Guiding Objectives, which include the following:
The public still likes these principles. Many large landowners and developers don’t, and they have been fighting the plan since January of 2002. Today, they’re urging that further work be done either by a consultant, hired by these development interests, or by a special “committee” that will take the general public out of the loop.
The best alternative is to continue the open, public comment process followed so far. That will give everyone a level playing field, as the debate goes on. The Board of Supervisors is expected to decide, today, what they think.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Agenda for June 24, 2003 Meeting
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/suagenda/
Agendas/06-24-03Agenda.pdfGeneral Plan Update Website
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/gpu/Meeting Location: Board of Supervisors Chambers, 240 Church Street, Second Floor, Salinas
Wednesday,
June 25, 2003 – Enforcing The Law
Based on the general plan, local governments develop specific rules
and regulations to govern land use. What happens, though, if people
don’t follow the rules?
Enforcement is critically important, if the land use policy process is to make any difference in real life. In Monterey County, there’s a problem. People build houses without permits; they bulldoze sensitive habitats, or they grade in new roads, or vineyards, without respect to what the rules require. County enforcement staff, by all accounts, does the best job it can, but there’s a legal problem. The Monterey County system requires either criminal or civil court action to enforce planning regulations. That takes so much time and money that enforcement staff can’t handle all the problems.
In the City of Monterey (and in Santa Cruz County, incidentally), a different kind of system exists, which allows enforcement staff to use “administrative” remedies, not just court procedures.
A recently-formed group in Monterey County wants to establish an enforcement system for Monterey County that is comparable to the Monterey City system. The group is called “Advocates for Code Compliance,” though I think they’re informally calling themselves the “Code Rangers.”
If you know of a code violation problem in Monterey County, why not put the “Code Rangers” on the case? Get more information at www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Contact Advocates for Code Compliance at coderangers@yahoo.com
Thursday,
June 26, 2003 – The City of Santa Cruz Housing Element
People concerned about the lack of affordable housing in their communities
need to get organized, and they need to get active. Recent news
stories reported on the creation of a new, church-based coalition,
which wants to focus on affordable housing problems, among other
issues. Groups like this need to start showing up at the right meetings.
Key decisions on affordable housing are made by various local and regional agencies, and these agencies tend to respond to the people who show up and testify. I hate to say it, but some advocacy groups seem to have an aversion to the political and governmental process that actually addresses the social or other issues they’re concerned about. Politics and government are often seen as dirty, or corrupt, or boring, or ineffective—or something. It’s hard to get these groups to come the right meetings. Get organized and show up is always the best prescription. Of course, to get informed before you show up is also nice.
In terms of getting informed, the Santa Cruz City Planning Commission will hold a meeting this evening, at 7:00 p.m., to discuss the City’s draft Housing Element.
In terms of having an impact, Monterey Peninsula residents should mark their calendars for Friday July 11th, at 2:00 p.m. That’s when the Fort Ord Reuse Authority will either do something, or not, about affordable housing on the former Fort Ord.
Click on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org for more information.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
City of Santa Cruz Website
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/Fort Ord Reuse Authority
http://www.fora.org/Contact Elizabeth Panetta for information on Fort Ord Housing - 831-759-2824, Ext. 14,
Friday,
June 27, 2003 – The Pew Oceans Report
Last week, I noted that these Land Use Reports are properly paired
with the Life on the Bay reports produced by Captain Steph Dutton,
and also aired on weekday mornings on KUSP. Let me reemphasize that
point. The marine environment profoundly affects the life we lead
on land, and what we do on the land has an ever greater impact on
the oceans and bay. Unfortunately, it’s increasingly an adverse,
even life-threatening impact.
On June 4th, the Pew Oceans Commission, chaired by Leon Panetta, who formerly represented this area in Congress, issued an extremely important report on the state of the oceans. The report is the result of a three-year, nationwide study, and is the first of its kind in more than 30 years. It notes that over-development along the coasts and increasing pollution from cities and fields are leading to a decline of ocean wildlife and the collapse of ocean ecosystems. Its findings argue for aggressive land use policies, to prevent the discharge of the sediments and runoff, and pesticides and pollutants, that are helping to destroy the marine environment.
Monterey Bay residents should review this important and comprehensive report. You can find out how to receive a free, personal copy at the KUSP website, www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Pew Oceans Commission
http://www.pewoceans.org/Order a Copy of the Pew Oceans Report
http://www.pewoceans.org/forms/publication.asp
Archives of past transcripts are available here
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