Item #72 on tomorrow’s agenda of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is a proposed “Working Lands Resolution.” While this proposed resolution is not really binding, it is likely to be at least somewhat controversial.

The “Working Lands Resolution” is being proposed by Supervisors Ryan Coonerty (representing the North Coast) and Supervisor Bruce McPherson (representing the San Lorenzo Valley). Timber harvest issues are controversial in both districts, and this Resolution comes down strongly in favor of timber harvesting and agriculture. That’s what the phrase “working lands” means; these are lands that are being used for economic production, including cattle ranching and timber harvesting.  

The proposed resolution says that the county’s “working lands” are [quote] “at risk of conversion to other uses.” In fact, thanks to a long legacy of protective legislation, including our Growth Management System, enacted by Measure J, the conversion of the county’s “working lands” to any kind of residential or commercial development is very small. The objection seems to be to the possibility, on the North Coast in particular, that timberlands and range lands might be included in future parks.

The proposed “Working Lands Resolution” is not directly regulatory, but that doesn’t mean that the discussion won’t be lively! If you want to get involved, the meeting is tomorrow!

More Information

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• April 14, 2015 Agenda, Santa Cruz County Board
• Agenda Item #72 – Working Lands Resolution
• Trust For Public Land Definition of “Working Lands”

Today, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will take up a couple of planning items at 1:30 p.m. There is a link at kusp.org/landuse.

Agenda Item #9.1 is a hearing on a proposed ordinance that would establish new policies and procedures for the protection of archaeological and tribal cultural resources. In addition, the ordinance would add a new Chapter to the County Code, to establish a Native American Advisory Panel.

While Agenda Item #9.1 is focused on broad issues of public policy, Agenda Item #9.2 is all about the personal situation of Paul and Linda Flores. The Flores cut down 24 protected trees, and then they applied for permission for an “after-the-fact” approval. The Monterey County Planning Commission turned them down, and denied the application. In Agenda Item #9.2, the Flores are bringing their case to the Board of Supervisors, through provisions that allow permit applicants to appeal denials to the elected officials who are in ultimate control of County policy.

Generally speaking, if applicants who violate the rules can get an “after-the-fact” approval if they’re caught, that’s an inducement for more people to violate the rules. It will be interesting to see whether the Board will ultimately take action to back up the Planning Commission, and to tell the applicants “no way.”

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Monterey County Board Agenda Website

The California Coastal Commission meets today, tomorrow, and Friday. If you attend in person you will get to pay a visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Marin County Civic Center. I have been there, and it’s pretty spectacular. Of course, you can just turn on the Commission’s streaming video coverage, and you won’t even have to back your car out of the driveway to watch the Commission do its thing.

City of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County residents might be particularly interested in the agenda items scheduled tomorrow, Thursday April 16th. There are links in today’s Land Use Report blog. The “big item” tomorrow from the Santa Cruz County perspective is the proposed Seacliff Village Plan Amendment. The County’s proposed amendment would modify the current designation of a vacant parcel just off Highway One.

The current plan is for “pedestrian-oriented, low traffic generating, neighborhood, and/or visitor serving” uses. The proposal is to allow “residential development,” including single-family residences. The Coastal Act states that “[t]he use of private lands suitable for visitor-serving commercial recreational facilities, designed to enhance public opportunities for coastal recreation, shall have priority over private residential, general industrial, or general commercial development…”

So what’s the future of our coastal communities? Do they provide visitor opportunities, or just accommodate more high-end residential development?

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• This Week’s Coastal Commission Agenda
• Coastal Commission Live Stream Website
• Staff Report – Seacliff Village Plan

Global warming is profoundly affecting the natural environment, and since the World of Nature sustains all life, and everything we do, that means that global warming is important. When we cause big changes to the processes that govern the Natural World, we also upset the conditions upon which our current human civilization is based.

For instance, to the degree that global warming has either caused or contributed to the severe drought conditions prevailing in California, global warming has placed our entire state economy, and many local communities, in what amounts to total jeopardy. If we really only have “one year of water left,” as recent news stories have said, things might change drastically, and very quickly. The disappearing Sierra snowpack is the water reservoir on which we have built our society. If that really disappears, all our human arrangements, that take its existence for granted, are going to have to change in dramatic ways.

If you have a class you teach, or a group of which you are a member, and would like to learn more, let me alert you to the “Climate Speakers” program. Climate Speakers will provide information on climate change and global warming to ordinary people, to help empower them to make a difference.

We all need to learn more, so we can take action to address the real challenges ahead. There is a link to the Climate Speakers website at kusp.org/landuse.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• LA Times Editorial – One Year Of Water Left
• Climate Speakers Website

Yesterday I alerted listeners to the “Climate Speakers.” This relatively new group is attempting to educate and involve the community on issues related to climate change. Today’s blog has a link to their website. Consider having one of the Climate Speakers address your class or group.

So, yesterday I highlighted the “Climate Speakers.” Today, I want to advertise the “Forest Keepers.” The Forest Keepers is a group that has been around for some time. They, too, have a website, and the link is at kusp.org/landuse. The Forest Keepers are also interested in community education, and in stimulating community involvement. Their focus is the north campus portion of UCSC, which is threatened by the University’s truly dramatic expansion plans. The University wants to build more than 3,000,000 square feet of new construction in what has previously been an official “natural reserve.” As part of their educational program, the Forest Keepers conduct “forest walks,” to show people what is at stake. You can get a complete list on the Forest Keepers’ website, but here is a heads up on a “Wildflowers and More” walk scheduled for Sunday, April 19th. Meet at 1:00 p.m. at the North Remote lot at UCSC.

For all of their walks and tours, the Forest Keepers promise that “rain does not cancel.” Lots of walks and tours are coming up. Let’s hope we get lots of rain!

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Climate Speakers Website
• Save Upper Campus “Forest Keepers” Website
• Spring Forest Walks Schedule