Today at 4:00 p.m., the Monterey County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, will be meeting in Salinas. Among other things, LAFCO is expected to pick a new “Public Member.”

Every county in California has a LAFCO, and LAFCOs play a vital role in the somewhat complex system of land use regulation. In general, land use decisions are guided by state law requirements, but these state level requirements are broadly directive, and not very specific. The state says that every local government must have a plan to address “conservation” issues, for instance, but the state doesn’t say what lands should specifically be conserved. That is up to local governments (to cities and counties). So, where does LAFCO fit in?

LAFCOs supervise boundary changes. Should farmlands in the unincorporated area of Monterey County be annexed to the City of Salinas, for instance? The “conservation” rules of the County and of the City are different; which jurisdiction controls the land is of vital importance.

The Monterey County LAFCO has seven members: two members of the Board of Supervisors; two members representing cities; and two members representing special districts. Then, there is one “Public Member,” selected by all the others. Oftentimes, that “Public Member” casts the deciding vote. Today’s meeting will have important impacts, going forward.

More Information:

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, “Two Worlds / 365”
htto://www.gapatton.net

Monterey County LAFCO Website
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/lafco/

Agenda for September 26, 2011 Meeting
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/lafco/Updates/WEB%20POSTS
%209%2022/Final%20Agenda%2009%2026%202011.htm

An article in the September 21st edition of the Hollister Freelance had this headline: “County’s stringent growth laws facing likely demise.” As you might imagine, that headline grabbed my attention. The “County” referred to is San Benito County, which is officially part of the Monterey Bay Area through that county’s participation in AMBAG, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.

The growth plans of San Benito County do impact the counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz, and here is one important way that’s true. A good bit of the water that flows in the Pajaro River originates in San Benito County. To the extent that the farmlands and open space lands of San Benito County are paved over, the new runoff generated from that new development will increase flooding dangers in the City of Watsonville, in the unincorporated community of Pajaro, and on agricultural lands in both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

I have put a link to the Freelance article in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. It is instructive. You can see that ranchers and farmers are on one side and developers and the law firms that represent them are on the other (the Monterey County law firm of Lombardo and Gillies has quotes from two different attorneys urging a change).

I have also put a link to the Board’s agenda in the transcript. If you care about the issue, you should be at the meeting today.

More Information:

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, “Two Worlds / 365”
htto://www.gapatton.net

Hollister Free Lance Article
http://www.hollisterfreelance.com/news/279165-countys
-stringent-growth-laws-facing-likely-demise

San Benito County Website
http://www.cosb.us/

Agenda, September 27, 2011 Meeting
http://cosb.us/wp-content/uploads/BOS%20Agenda%20092711.pdf

The Monterey City Council will be holding a study session this afternoon, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The study session will be held in the City Council Chambers, and members of the public are cordially invited to attend. The focus of the study session this afternoon is the City’s Downtown Specific Plan, and specifically how “public space” might best be integrated into the future development of the City’s downtown area.

If you are a Monterey City resident, you might want to consider showing up. There won’t be any final action, but such study sessions are often where the important decisions get made (unofficially, if not officially). And study sessions are where interested members of the public can often have a big impact. Here is a more detailed explanation from the agenda materials online, on the City’s website:

Streetscape/Plaza Plan Concepts:
The consultant team has completed draft design concepts. Key plazas include Custom House and Simoneau. These plazas anchor the northern and southern ends of Alvarado Street. The presentation will show a variety of ways these plazas can be redesigned for optimal use and performance. Other ideas will be shared for increasing activity along Alvarado Street including expansion of sidewalk seating.

Sound interesting? The meeting is at 4:00 p.m. You are invited to participate.

More Information:

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, “Two Worlds / 365”
htto://www.gapatton.net

Agenda, Monterey City Council Study Session
http://www.isearchmonterey.org/cache/2/vfs4kp
45sqknfm55u0dzzxmk/697250922201110455570.PDF

Water supply issues are big issues in both Monterey and Santa Cruz County. In Santa Cruz County, the Pajaro Valley is in major overdraft, putting the future of South County agriculture at risk. In mid-county, the Soquel Creek Water District also faces overdraft issues, and the District is moving towards the possible construction of a desalination plant, partnering with the City of Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz City Water Department, which serves not only City residents, but residents in Pasatiempo and Live Oak, and also even some residents in the City of Capitola, is clearly facing a set of water supply problems that City leaders are describing in near-crisis terms.

Monterey County can top whatever Santa Cruz County has got in terms of water supply problems. The Pajaro Valley groundwater basin includes properties in Monterey County, too. There are failing wells all over North Monterey County; the Salinas Valley has overdraft problems, and the Monterey Peninsula faces a genuine and full-scale water supply emergency. Add charges of possible corruption and misconduct, and you can begin to see how serious the problems really are.

If those supposedly working for the public are actually working for themselves, the public interest gets shortchanged. I have put some links to charges and counter-charges in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. They are really interesting reading!

More Information:

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, “Two Worlds / 365”
htto://www.gapatton.net

Attorneys Report To Monterey County
http://mcweekly.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/
news/documents/2011/09/21/00149176.PDF

Monterey County Weekly Article on Steve Collins Claim Against The County
http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/
2011/sep/22/trickle-down/

Monterey County Herald Article on Steve Collins Claim Against The County
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/
ci_18951735?nclick_check=1

Salinas Californian Article on Steve Collins Claim Against The County
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20110922/
NEWS09/109220310/Ex-water-board-member-
Steve-Collins-fires-back-claim?odyssey=nav|head

Santa Cruz County residents may or may not be aware that the State of California has established a “Demonstration Forest” in Santa Cruz County. The Soquel State Demonstration Forest was established in 1990, and is 2,681 acres in size. It is located along the east branch of Soquel Creek, including portions of Amaya Creek and Fern Gulch Creek. It contains redwood, mixed hardwoods, and riparian ecosystems, and both the San Andreas and Zayante Faults pass through the property. Associated with the Forest's geologic activity are several natural springs and small marshes. The Forest is just to the north of the Forest of Nisene Marks. You can get more detailed information on the Forest, by tracking down the transcript of today’s Land Use Report on the KUSP website. I’ve included some helpful links to online materials.

Next Monday, October 3rd, the Soquel Demonstration State Forest Advisory Committee will hold a meeting at the Scotts Valley City Hall. The mission of the advisory committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on matters related to management of the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. The public has a big stake in those management decisions, so consider attending that meeting. It will be held at 9:00 a.m. You are invited.

More Information:

Gary Patton writes a daily blog, “Two Worlds / 365”
htto://www.gapatton.net

Website of Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
http://www.fire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/
resource_mgt_stateforests_soquel.php

Soquel Demonstration State Forest Bike Trails
http://mtb.live555.com/rides/SoquelDemo.html

Agenda, October 3, 2011 Advisory Committee Meeting
http://www.fire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/downloads/
Soquel/SDSF_AdvisoryComm_MtgAnnouncement-
Agenda_October_3_2011.pdf