The Land Use Report
By The Land Use Report
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Podcast Description
Just another KUSP Blogs site
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Tapped | Friday, May 25, 2012 Would you like to take in a movie tonight? If you would, Transition San Lorenzo Valley has scheduled a screening of Tapped at the Satellite Telework Center in Felton, located at 6265 Highway Nine. The movie runs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. this evening. A donation of five dollars is suggested, but no one will be turned away. Tapped is feature film by Stephanie Soechtig. It is described as an “unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water.” The film comes from the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A. It is a very timely documentary that provides a “behind-the-scenes” look at the unregulated world of the bottled water industry, an industry that aims to privatize a resource that belongs to all of us, water, and then sell it back to us at a great price, both economic and environmental. Tapped is being shown as part of a 2012 Film Series, sponsored by Transition San Lorenzo Valley. Next up in the series, on June 22nd, will be Blue Gold: World Water Wars. That film documents the growing battle over control of the global water supply by large corporations. Residents in Felton waged a successful battle to restore local control over local water resources, so it’s clear why this theme is being highlighted. There is more information on kusp.org/landuse. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Movie Website - Tapped Transition San Lorenzo Valley Website Santa Cruz Sentinel Article on the Felton Satellite Telework Center Stephanie Soechtig Biography | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Planning Commission – Tonight | Thursday, May 24, 2012 The Santa Cruz City Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing tonight, at 7:00 p.m., on the City’s Draft 2030 General Plan. I never tire of pointing out how important the General Plan is, since the General Plan is the community’s “Constitution for land use,” and all project and public works decisions must be “consistent” with the provisions of the community’s General Plan. I know that there will be significant testimony tonight on some of the water issues that are so important to the City’s future. The reliability of the City’s water supplies for existing customers is definitely of concern. The current Draft General Plan estimates a growth in water demand of 500 million gallons by 2030, or a 14% increase in current water demand. This new water demand is more than the output of the proposed desalination plant, so even if that proposed desalination plant were built (and that’s hardly certain), there would be no increase in water security for current customers. Those affected by this issue include residents and businesses in Live Oak, Pasatiempo, and even parts of Capitola, as well as residents and business owners in the City of Santa Cruz itself. Water issues, of course, are not the only topic of importance. Think about speaking up. Tonight is not your last chance to comment, but it’s a good chance to comment. There is more information at kusp.org/landuse. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog City of Santa Cruz Website City Planning Commission Planning Commission Staff Report on Draft General Plan and EIR Comments can be sent to Ken Thomas at kthomas@cityofsantacruz.com | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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A New Library Site In Felton | Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Yesterday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors considered an agenda with fifty-eight separate items of business. As usual, some of the most significant and important items appeared not on the “regular agenda,” where a separate Board discussion is held before action, but on the Board’s “consent agenda,” which is adopted near the start of the meeting through a single motion approving multiple items. Yesterday, the Board’s consent agenda contained forty-four different items of business. One of those items is probably of particular interest to San Lorenzo Valley residents, and particularly to residents of Felton. For a long time, Felton residents have hoped that it would be possible for the County Library System to construct a new Library in Felton. Finding the money to do that is a big problem, of course, but even finding a suitable site for a Library in Felton has been a major obstacle. Supervisor Mark Stone, who represents the San Lorenzo Valley on the Board of Supervisors, thinks he may have found a solution. He has identified a property on Gushee Street, just a block from Highway 9, where there may be a good site for a new library. Consent Agenda Item #24 proposed to kick off the necessary investigation of the Gushee Street location. If you care about this issue, you can get a link to Supervisor Stone’s letter at kusp.org/landuse. He has proposed a report back to the Board on August 7th. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Board of Supervisors Agenda, May 22, 2012 Staff Report Agenda Item #24 – Felton Library Santa Cruz County GIS System | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The County Board Votes On Pebble Beach | Tuesday, May 22, 2012 A “big item” on the agenda of today’s meeting of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is Agenda Item #10, scheduled to be heard at 1:30 this afternoon. The Board will be considering proposed developments at Pebble Beach. Specifically, the Board will consider a resolution adopting an amended Del Monte Forest Land Use Plan, and an ordinance that would amend the Monterey County Coastal Implementation Plan (which is in Title 20 of the Monterey County Code). If, as anticipated, the Board approves the recommended actions, this will be the next to final step towards significant new development in Pebble Beach. In essence, the Board is being asked whether or not it agrees with the development approvals provided to the Pebble Beach Company by the Coastal Commission on May 9th. Presuming that the Board does agree, the Board will then transmit the amendments made today to the Coastal Commission, for confirmation by the Commission at the Commission’s next regular meeting. After that final step, the Pebble Beach Company will be “cleared for takeoff” for its land use development plans. As I reported on May 16th, the development approval process in this case was somewhat unusual, in that the Executive Director of the Coastal Commission privately and personally negotiated with Pebble Beach Company executives to arrive at what has been called an “historic compromise.” If you want to say something, this afternoon may be your last chance. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Monterey County Board of Supervisors Agendas May 16, 2012 Land Use Report on Pebble Beach Compromise | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Safe Routes To San Lorenzo Valley Schools | Monday, May 21, 2012 Transportation planners have come to the conclusion that a singular focus on planning for “automobiles” is not the best way to plan for “mobility,” or to construct the best possible transportation future. If we really want to do good transportation planning, we need to factor in pedestrian and bicycle use on local streets and highways, and we need to “consider the alternatives” when we think about transportation planning for our communities overall. In California, this new perspective has led to the “Complete Streets” concept, which is intended to focus local and regional transportation planning efforts on the need to provide for bicycle and pedestrian use when new roadways are constructed, expanded, or upgraded. At both the state and national levels, another evidence of this relatively new perspective on transportation planning (which has typically focused almost exclusively on the needs of motor vehicles) has been a movement called “Safe Routes To Schools.” Tonight, there is a meeting for those who would like to help plan a “safe route to school” for students attending the San Lorenzo Valley Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. You are very much invited to attend. The group will be meeting from 7:00 to 8:00 o’clock this evening at The San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School picnic tables. Tonight’s meeting has been organized by Transition San Lorenzo Valley. There is more information at kusp.org/landuse. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Transition San Lorenzo Valley Website National Center For Safe Routes To School California Complete Streets Program National Complete Streets Coalition | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Tracking Sudden Oak Death | Friday, May 18, 2012 Tomorrow, you can volunteer to help track “Sudden Oak Death” in Santa Cruz County, by taking part in a “bioblitz” survey. A one-hour training will be given by U.C. Berkeley’s Dr. Matteo Garbelotto, and after the training you will then collect plant material on your own during the weekend, returning samples by Sunday, and thus helping scientists find ways to head off Sudden Oak Death in Santa Cruz County I can’t imagine that you were already planning to do something like that, but I do encourage your involvement. The one-hour training program begins at 10:30 tomorrow morning. It will be held at the Cal-Fire Training Room, located on Gushee Street, in Felton. The meeting room is located immediately behind the forestry office, and if you are using GPS to get there, the address is 6059 Highway 9, in Felton. The pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death threatens the beautiful Coast Live Oaks that are not only lovely in themselves, but that are vital to the survival of the plants and animals that depend on them. By tracking the fungus-like mold that causes the disease, it is possible to take steps to reduce the impact of Sudden Oak Death, and to protect at least some trees. Your participation can make a huge difference. Here is a wonderful excuse to get our in our natural environment, and to do something that will help preserve and protect it. There is more information at kusp.org/landuse. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Information on Sudden Oak Death For more information call Annie Murphy: 831-818-9226 Or, contact organizers by email at: Annie Murphy – anniekate@earthlink.net Nadia Harney – nadiah@big-creek.com Doug Schmidt – dschmidt@berkeley.edu | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Running The Branch Line | Thursday, May 17, 2012 The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission is meeting this morning, starting at 9:00 o’clock. The meeting will be held in the Commission’s offices, located at 1523 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. On the agenda today are several interesting items. For instance, Agenda Item #5 is a proposal that the Commission approve draft goals, targets, and policies that are intended to reflect sustainability principles, for incorporation into the Regional Transportation Plan, or RTP. When finally adopted, this plan will become the Santa Cruz County component of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and the approved policies will guide action on transportation project level decisions. Agenda Item #6 will find the Commission discussing potential ballot measures, intended to get County voters to vote for more money for road and other transportation improvements. Many listeners may be interested in this topic! If you are not interested now, you probably will be if measures come before you later, on the ballot, asking for a sales tax increase, or something similar. Now would be a good time to start getting informed and involved. Finally, Agenda Item #4 recommends that Iowa Pacific Holdings be selected to operate the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, which will allow the Commission to finalize its purchase of the rail corridor running between Davenport and Watsonville. That’s exciting! More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission Website Commission Agenda For May 17, 2012 Meeting Staff Report on Selection of Operator for the Branch Rail Line – Agenda Item #4 Staff Report on RTP Goals, Targets, Policies, and Strategies – Agenda Item #5 Staff Report on Possible Revenue Raising Ballot Measures – Agenda Item #6 | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Historic Compromise At Pebble Beach | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Residents of the Monterey Peninsula well know the significance of Pebble Beach, which contains some of the most important Monterey Pine Forest remaining in the state of California. It has some pretty nice golf courses, too, not to mention scenic roadways and lovely homes. The California Coastal Commission recently made what the Commission has called an “historic” decision about the future development of the Pebble Beach property. There is more information in today’s blog posting, available at kusp.org/landuse. Mary Shallenberger, the Chair of the Coastal Commission, said that the Commission’s action “ends decades of unproductive conflict about how to protect and develop the Del Monte Forest.” The Commission’s action clears the way for Monterey County to approve land use permits. A forest preservation easement, to be held by the Del Monte Forest Conservancy, will protect 635 acres of forest for the benefit of the public. The “deal,” and that’s what it was, was negotiated in private between the owners of the Pebble Beach Company and Peter Douglas, who was then the Commission’s Executive Director. Douglas and Company representatives actually signed a joint letter, outlining the “deal,” prior to public involvement. This wasn’t exactly a public process. Despite requests that it address the issue, the Commission’s decision also did not require any onsite affordable housing. Maybe the County will insist on that in future action. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog Monterey County Weekly News Article on a New Book on the Monterey Pine Forest Coastal Commission Press Release on Pebble Beach Decision May 9, 2012 Coastal Commission Staff Report Coastal Commission Website | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Meeting The ZA | Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Land use decisions come in at least two different “flavors.” First, there are “policy” level decisions, like decisions related to the adoption or amendment of a city or county general plan. Second, there are “project” decisions. Unless you are a first time listener, you will probably remember that I am consistently urging listeners to get involved in the land use “policy” decisions made by their local city council or board of supervisors. Adopted “policies” drive the decisions made on “projects,” and it is these “project” level decisions that actually result in changes to the natural landscape, or to our urban environment. LandWatch Monterey County has a publication entitled Land Use And The General Plan that provides some details on how this works. “Policies” tend to be quite abstract, but “projects” are very specific, so most people get involved in land use issues at the “project” level. If four-story apartment building is proposed in your low-rise neighborhood, whether it gets approval or not may depend on the relevant land use “policies,” but neighborhood concerns focus on the “project.” If you live in the City of Santa Cruz, and want to see how the “project” level operates, you should probably meet your ZA, or Zoning Administrator. There is a ZA meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. A number of city projects will get the go-ahead, or not, at that meeting. There is more information at kusp.org/landuse. More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog City of Santa Cruz Website ZA Agenda, City of Santa Cruz, May 16, 2012 Land Use And The General Plan LandWatch Monterey County Website | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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A Closed Session At The Board | Monday, May 14, 2012 It is rare but not impossible that a public agency might carry out the entirety of one of its meetings behind closed doors. That is exactly what the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is planning to do tomorrow. In any county, county government has land use jurisdiction over large areas of “undeveloped” land, and the land use and other decisions of county government are often the most important determinant of what will happen to a local community in the future. Persons who want to have an impact on the future of their community need to pay attention to what their county Board of Supervisors is doing. Luckily, the California Public Records Act gives every member of the public a right to look at government files. The Ralph M. Brown Act gives the public access to public meetings. These two statutory systems really make possible the kind of informed self-government that allows ordinary members of the public to affect the public policies that most affect them. The “open government” provisions of state law, though, do allow City Councils and Boards of Supervisors to hold “closed” meetings in certain circumstances. Tomorrow, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, meeting as the County Water Resources Agency, has made the entirety of their meeting into a “closed” session, to deal with specified litigation matters. This is not the best news for those members of the public who would like to know “what’s going on?” More Information: Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog California Public Records Act Ralph M. Brown Act Monterey County Board of Supervisors Agendas | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 10 Episodes |
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