The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has been in the process of "updating" the Monterey County General Plan since 1999, and Tuesday's meeting could mark the end of this long process! Today's Land Use Report is a "last call" for comments.

Permit decisions and decisions on proposed public works projects must be "consistent" with the policies of the locally adopted General Plan. That's what state law provides, and that's what makes the General Plan so important. It really is a "Constitution" for land use. A "good" General Plan will include policies that are specific, so that the document really does provide policy guidance that will constrain and direct decisions on individual projects. I have placed a link to a LandWatch publication called Land Use And The General Plan in the transcript of today's Land Use Report, so you can read up on this concept.

As an example, a policy that says, "there shall be no development or division of commercially productive agricultural land," is a real and enforceable policy. A statement like, "commercially productive agricultural land should be protected whenever feasible," provides no real policy guidance at all, and essentially means that the Board of Supervisors can make any decision it wants to, on a project by project basis.

If you want to heed this "last call," and get your comments in, the Board meets tomorrow in Salinas.

More Information:

The Land Use Report will end on November 26, 2010
http://www.gapatton.net/2010/09/
268-farewell-to-land-use-report.html

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, "Two Worlds / 365"
http://www.gapatton.net

Agenda, Monterey County Board of Supervisors
http://publicagendas.co.monterey.ca.us/

Agenda Materials on The General Plan Update Are Available Under Agenda Item S-7

General Plan Update Information
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/
gpu/GPU_2007/gpu_2007.htm

Land Use And The General Plan
http://www.landwatch.org/pages/publications.htm#generalplan

Who is in charge of the RDA? Wait a minute; I just fired off another acronym, didn't I? When I talk about the "RDA" I'm talking about the Santa Cruz County "Redevelopment Agency," which operates in the Live Oak/Soquel Area. The Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County is in charge of the RDA, which is, nonetheless, a separate governmental agency. It's also an important governmental agency, and a couple of important meetings are coming up soon. Don't miss your chance to participate!

Tonight, the Redevelopment Agency is sponsoring a meeting to consider its proposed "Heart of Soquel" project. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall of the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive. If you care about the future of Soquel, now is a great chance to get involved.

On Thursday, October 28th, the Redevelopment Agency is sponsoring a meeting on two proposed projects that could significantly affect the Twin Lakes area. These projects could be quite controversial, since they might alter beach access, access to Schwan Lake, and both public and private views. The meeting will be held in Room A at the Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Avenue. Again, this is an evening meeting that begins at 7:00 o'clock.

Check the transcript of today's Land Use Report for links to more information.

More Information:

The Land Use Report will end on November 26, 2010
http://www.gapatton.net/2010/09/
268-farewell-to-land-use-report.html

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, "Two Worlds / 365"
http://www.gapatton.net

Redevelopment Agency Meeting Notices
http://www.buildastrongersoquelandliveoak.com/community.html

Redevelopment Agency Homepage
http://www.buildastrongersoquelandliveoak.com/

Governmental powers are ultimately vested in the people, and the people of California have made that clear by reserving to themselves the tools of "direct democracy." Voters can "recall" elected officials, if they are dissatisfied with them; they can utilize the "referendum" process to overturn specific decisions with which they disagree; and they can actually enact new laws themselves, through the "initiative" process. These tools of "direct democracy" can be utilized at every level of government, and the upcoming election on Measure H in the City of San Luis Obispo illustrates their power.

Measure H is an initiative, placed on the ballot by concerned voters. It would amend various local plans so as to prevent a portion of Prado Road from crossing the northwest edge of the City-owned Damon-Garcia property, and connecting to Broad Street. Supporters say that extending Prado Road would adversely affect sports fields. Opponents say that Measure H would "dead end" local growth, and should be defeated.

This particular initiative battle is not only important in itself; it provides an important example of how powerful the tools of "direct democracy" can be. If your neighborhood gets organized, you can make the entire community take seriously the planning concerns of most importance to you. Links to more information are found in the transcript of today's Land Use Report.

More Information:

The Land Use Report will end on November 26, 2010
http://www.gapatton.net/2010/09/
268-farewell-to-land-use-report.html

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, "Two Worlds / 365"
http://www.gapatton.net

Yes On Measure H Website
http://www.voteyesonmeasureh.com/

San Luis Obispo Tribune Editorial – "No" On Measure H
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/09/18/1294211/
editorial-measure-h-is-just-scare.html

Ballot*Pedia on Measure H
http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/
San_Luis_Obispo_Prado_Road_Initiative,_Measure
_H-10_%28November_2010%29

Today, I have two different items. First, how about "Ghosts, Gold & Greed?" This is the title of a special Halloween Walking Tour of the Historic District at the University of California at Santa Cruz. The walking tour will take place this Saturday, October 30th. Land uses at UCSC, the former Cowell Ranch, have gone from industrial production to educational attainment. This tour is sponsored by the Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District, and should be fun. It starts at the Barn Theatre Parking Lot at 10:30 Saturday morning. The tour will run until noon, and a $3 donation is requested.

On the other side of the Bay, the Pebble Beach Company has now applied to Monterey County for some serious new development on its lands. "Story poles," as they are called, are beginning to sketch in the dimensions of what that development might look like, and those who care about this spectacular part of Monterey County might want to start getting involved now. It's always harder to affect the decision making process when decisions have reached the public hearing stage. By that time, property owners and developers have put a lot of effort into detailed planning, and governmental planners and public officials might also have made emotional, if not legal, commitments. The Carmel Pine Cone newspaper had a report on the latest proposals from the Pebble Beach Company. Here's a heads up for those who care!

More Information:

The Land Use Report will end on November 26, 2010
http://www.gapatton.net/2010/09/
268-farewell-to-land-use-report.html

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, "Two Worlds / 365"
http://www.gapatton.net

The UCSC Lime Works Website
http://limeworks.ucsc.edu/

October 22, 2010 Carmel Pine Cone
http://www.pineconearchive.com/downloads101022.htm
Carmel Pine Cone Article on Pebble Beach Project Begins on Page One

An important planning item is probably heading for a decision before the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, likely at a special Board meeting to be held on November 10th. Solargen Energy has proposed a 399-megawatt solar farm in Panoche Valley, and the County Planning Commission has now approved that project. While the vote on the use permit by the Planning Commission is a final approval under normal circumstances, county officials expect an appeal from project opponents.

Getting our communities off hydrocarbon-based energy has to be a high priority, but this proposed solar farm project does demonstrate what we all should know, that there are inevitable "trade offs" when major developments and major land use changes are proposed. Even when a proposed project has lots of "pros," there are lots of "cons," too. The Solargen Energy project would impact thousands of acres in southeast San Benito County, and will require the cancellation of Williamson Act contracts that have protected agricultural land in the Panoche Valley. Three to four million solar panels will be part of the project, placed in the northern section of the designated area, which is supposed to help create a buffer between the neighboring homes and school, and thus to reduce the project's overall impact to the environment.

Concerned residents of San Benito County should get ready for that hearing before the Board!

More Information

The Land Use Report will end on November 26, 2010 - http://www.gapatton.net/2010/09/268-farewell-to-land-use-report.html

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, "Two Worlds / 365"
http://www.gapatton.net

Newspaper Articles in the Hollister Freelance
http://www.freelancenews.com/news/269726-with
-commissions-ok-supes-set-to-weigh-solar-farm

http://www.freelancenews.com/news/269613-
planning-commission-to-consider-solargen-permit