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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 February 16, 2004 to February 20, 2004
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,
February 16, 2004 – Carmel Valley LUAC
Santa Cruz County is the smallest county in the state, geographically,
providing that we exclude the City and County of San Francisco,
which is in a special governmental category all its own. The fact
that Santa Cruz County is so geographically compact makes it relatively
easy for local residents to know what’s going on, in terms
of land use, and it makes it relatively easy for residents from
all parts of the county to come to the county seat, in Santa Cruz,
for meetings about land use issues.
Monterey County is another story. It’s a BIG county, geographically. The size and geographic diversity of Monterey County has led to a system in that county of local “Land Use Advisory Committees,” or LUACs. These LUACs meet locally, and provide an important opportunity for Monterey County residents to attend meetings about land use at a location near to home. The Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, who make the most important land use decisions, do generally meet in Salinas, but if you’re interested in land use issues in Monterey County, you may well be able to get a good idea by attending the local LUAC meeting.
Tonight, in Carmel Valley, the Carmel Valley LUAC is meeting, and is taking up a proposed shopping center expansion at the mouth of the Valley. Find out more about LUACs at www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
LUAC Directory and Agendas
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/cca/luac/luac_agenda.htmAgenda, Carmel Valley LUAC, February 16, 2004
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/pbi/cca/luac/CARMELVALLEYAgenda.PDF
Tuesday,
February 17, 2004 – Pismo Beach and Planning Policy
The land use decisions we make will shape the local economy, profoundly
affect the natural environment, and either advance (or not) important
issues of social equity.
Let me highlight an item in San Luis Obispo County. This evening, the Pismo Beach City Council will consider amending the current General Plan to allow the development of 312 dwelling units on 182 acres. That’s 1.7 dwelling units per acre, a low-density development probably aimed at upper income home buyers. This item illustrates the all too common phenomenon of changing the plan to fit the project, instead of making the project fit the plan. If the local General Plan actually states what the community wants in terms of land use (and that’s what it’s supposed to do) then why should a developer get to change that community plan? This is a question that applies not only in San Luis Obispo County. The practice is common everywhere.
If a General Plan can be changed in connection with any specific project approval, residents who care about planning issues have to go to every meeting where projects are discussed. As a practical matter, that means they’re shut out of the decisions that shape their future. Making sure that the community’s General Plan actually represents what the community wants is the first step towards good land use policy. Following that plan is the critically important second step!
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Pismo Beach City Council Agenda
http://www.pismobeach.org/SITE/pdf/council/agendas/021704.pdf
Wednesday,
February 18, 2004 – Pebble Beach Field Trip
The Pebble Beach area is world famous as a destination for visitors
(particularly golfers), and as a very nice place to live. Big changes
are being proposed. They include:
This description is from the county’s notice and schedule of public meetings and hearings. What that notice doesn’t say, explicitly, is that the proposed new golf course will require the elimination of a significantly forested area, and that this plan, even though it’s been approved by the voters, remains very controversial.
Today there’s a field trip, led by the county planning staff, which will let participants really see the lay of the land, and fully understand what’s being proposed. Representatives of the Concerned Residents of Pebble Beach, a residents group that has grave reservations about the proposal, are certain to be in attendance. If you’d like to learn more, and to participate, click on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Information on proposed Pebble Beach project
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/pbi/major/pbc/pbc_main.htmConcerned Residents of Pebble Beach Website
http://www.cr-pb.org/
Thursday,
February 19, 2004 – Ranch View Terrace
The land use decisions that affect local communities are mostly
made by city and county governments. But that is not always true.
State institutions generally have the right to make land use decisions
affecting their own lands, free of local community control. In Santa
Cruz County, and in the City of Santa Cruz, the University of California
(UCSC) provides an excellent example. UCSC does not have to get
city or county permission to carry out its land use projects, in
the same way that a private property owner would.
UCSC, however, does have to follow state law, and specifically the California Environmental Quality Act. A significant project is now being proposed on the UCSC campus, and it’s undergoing full environmental review. The project is the Ranch View Terrace Faculty and Staff Housing Project, and would mean the construction of 83 housing units immediately adjacent to the UCSC Arboretum. The review period for the Draft EIR extends until March 10th. A public hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26th, at the Barn Theatre on the UCSC campus.
As you might imagine, concerned citizens and residents are organizing, to make sure that the public is fully engaged in the consideration of this proposed new development. For more information, go to www.kusp.org.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
UCSC Press Release
http://www.ucsc.edu/news_events/press_releases/text.asp?pid=450Santa Cruz Sentinel Story on Project
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/
February/09/local/stories/04local.htmArboretum Website on Proposed Project
http://go.to/arboretum
Friday,
February 20, 2004 – Clean Water Workshops
Cap’n Steph Dutton, in his “Life on the Bay” broadcasts,
keeps KUSP listeners focused on the importance of our marine environment.
I’m on the land side. Let me say, however, that these two “sides,”
these two parts of our natural environment, are not so much separated
as connected. Our climate, and our agriculture, are determined (that’s
really the word) by the presence of the Monterey Bay and the Pacific
Ocean right at our doorsteps, right off the coast. And the quality
of life out there, along the coast, in the Bay, and in the marine
environment generally, is profoundly affected by how we use the
land onshore.
Today, let me give you advanced notice about a couple of meetings that some of you might like to attend, focused specifically on water quality issues. Land use affects water quality, and that affects our marine sanctuary.
On Friday, February 27th, the Central Coast Vineyard Team will hold a breakfast meeting to discuss water quality rules that impact farmers. The meeting will be at the Pine Creek Vineyard, in San Ardo.
On Saturday, March 6th, the California State University, Monterey Bay, will sponsor a “Clean Waters, Healthy Oceans” symposium, to be held on the CSUMB campus.
Get more information on both of these meetings by clicking on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org. And send me your comments and suggestions, too!
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Central Coast Vineyard Team Website
http://www.vineyardteam.org/Sign up for the breakfast meeting by contacting Jill at 805-434-4848 or by email at: jill@vineyardteam.org
For more information on the CSUMB Symposium contact:
Liz Love
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Phone: 831-647-4255
Email: liz.love@noaa.gov
Archives of past transcripts are available here
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