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KUSP LandWatch
News
Week of October 11, 2010 to October 15, 2010
Week of October 11, 2010 to October 15, 2010
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 October 11, 2010 to October 15, 2010
- Monday, October 11, 2010
A Water Discussion Tomorrow
- Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Arana Gulch Decision On Thursday
- Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Highway 68 Buzz
- Thursday, October 14, 2010
Changes To The Santa Cruz County Code
- Friday, October 15, 2010
A Ventana Wilderness Gathering/Big Sur Tours
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary A. Patton. The Wittwer & Parkin law firm is located in Santa Cruz, California, and practices environmental and governmental law. As part of its practice, the law firm files litigation and takes other action on behalf of its clients, which are typically private individuals, governmental agencies, environmental organizations, or community groups. Whenever the Land Use Report comments on an issue with which the Wittwer & Parkin law firm is involved on behalf of a client, Mr. Patton will make this relationship clear, as part of his commentary. Mr. Patton’s comments do not represent the views of Wittwer & Parkin, LLP, KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors.
| Monday, October 11, 2010 A Water Discussion Tomorrow |
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If you want to be there for what is predicted to be the “end” of the long saga of the Monterey County General Plan Update, which began in 1999, in a completely different century, you should mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 26th. That date is likely to be the day that the Board will take final action. After that, of course, there may be lawsuits. In the meantime, more General Plan Update discussion is set for Board consideration tomorrow. The Board of Supervisors meeting will start at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, in Salinas, and I have placed a link to the agenda in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. There are two topics for discussion, which should be of interest to many Monterey County listeners: First, water supply policies for North Monterey County, and second, language about proposed special treatment for future development on the lands of Rancho Cañada Village, in Carmel Valley. The proposed language on North County water transfers is as follows: For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Arana Gulch Decision On Thursday |
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The California Coastal Commission is being asked to resolve a difficult and divisive planning problem at the Commission’s meeting on Thursday of this week. I’ve placed a link to the agenda in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report, and want to remind listeners that they can watch the Commission “live” on the webcast that the Commission provides for all its meetings. I am anticipating that many listeners who care about the proposed bike path through Arana Gulch, in the City of Santa Cruz, which would connect Broadway Street in the City with Brommer Street in Live Oak, won’t be able to travel personally to Oceanside, which is where the Commission meeting is being held this month. Thanks to the Commission’s commitment to making its meetings as accessible as possible, you will be able to watch the discussion, and you can, of course, still comment. Because the City’s Master Plan for Arana Gulch proposes a bike path that will impact ESHA, or “Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area,” there is a real policy problem. What is at stake is not only the bike path proposed in the City’s Master Plan application, but a precedent that will impact future Commission decisions around the state. The Commission staff is recommending approval of the City’s application Again, the item will be heard this Thursday. The decision will be important not only locally, but statewide, and there is still time for you to comment. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Highway 68 Buzz |
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The Land Use Report has always attempted to stimulate your personal participation in land use policy and project matters, because these decisions have such an important long-term impact on the health of our local economy, and environment, and on our ability to reach our social equity goals. When you wake up in the morning, and turn on the radio, you probably aren’t thinking about land use. So, I’m sorry to “bug you,” but I do hope that you will pay attention to the land use decisions of local government agencies that ultimately will determine our future. Today, let me tell you about two important upcoming meetings that will have significant impacts in Monterey County. On Wednesday, October 27th, the Monterey County Planning Commission will be considering the proposed “Encina Hills” subdivision off Highway 68. Impacts would affect not only the immediate neighborhood, but also the Highway 68 corridor itself. Another proposed project that would affect Highway 68 is the proposed Corral de Tierra Shopping Center. Its impacts on Highway 68 would likely be considerably greater. That proposal is currently scheduled before the Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 10th. If you want to participate in these discussions, check out a new website, “Highway 68 BUZZ.” I’ve put a link to the website, and to other information, in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Thursday, October 14, 2010 Changes To The Santa Cruz County Code |
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Attentive listeners will have noted that I often mention both “policy” and “project” decisions. Land use decisions do come in those two flavors. A proposed “project” is very specific, and its immediate impacts, both positive and negative, are often quite clear. When a new shopping center is proposed along Highway 68, it is possible immediately to understand the impacts. Some will be happy at the thought of new shopping opportunities, and see the proposal as “positive.” Others, concerned about viewshed, and traffic, and growth inducing impacts, might see the proposal as “negative.” Either way, the impacts tend to be clear. Usually, however, it is less easy to understand the implications of proposed “policy” changes. What will those new Monterey County General Plan policies really mean for the future of Monterey County? As you heard Monday, one piece of the proposed language, relating to water supply in North Monterey County, will specifically allow the subdivision of agricultural land, but how that policy would play out in projects is not really known. Santa Cruz County residents who would like to get involved in “policy” level land use decisions, should be aware that the County is considering changes to the County Code, to “streamline” Code provisions. The proposals are certain to have both “positive” and “negative” impacts. You can get more information by tracking down the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Friday, October 15, 2010 A Ventana Wilderness Gathering/Big Sur Tours |
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The Central Coast Region can boast of some pretty spectacular areas. The Salinas Valley, for instance, is geographically splendid, as well as economically super-productive. The Santa Cruz County North Coast, and the San Lorenzo Valley, are real treasures. Elkhorn Slough is a real treasure, too! I bet if you did a poll, however, and asked Central Coast residents to identify the natural splendors of this place in which we are so privileged to live, that the Big Sur Coast, in Monterey County, would come out near the top of everyone’s list. Today, I want to let you know about some upcoming opportunities to find out more about that area, and to experience the wonders of Big Sur. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance is dedicated to the protection of the Big Sur back country. I’ve placed a link to their website in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. On Saturday, October 23rd, next weekend, the Alliance is sponsoring a gathering at the UC MBEST Center in Marina. It’s an open invitation, but space is limited, so you do need to RSVP. The Pelican Network also works to protect the environmental resources of Big Sur, and of the entire Central Coast. If you want to learn more about Big Sur, you should consider signing up for one of their all-day “Big Sur Tours.” This would cost you some money, but the proceeds will help develop a Big Sur hostel and cultural center. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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Archives of past transcripts are available here
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