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KUSP LandWatch
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ogo.gif" width="108" height="109" border="0"> "Listen Live" |
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 January 26, 2004 to January 30, 2004
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors.
Monday,
January 26, 2004 -- Board Hearing on The Gallo Winery
The California Environmental Quality Act is the strongest environmental
protection law in the nation, and its strength comes from its procedural
requirements. CEQA says that before a governmental agency takes
any action that might have an adverse impact on the environment,
it must take these three steps: (1) Prepare a draft environmental
impact report, fully analyzing the possible impacts of the project.
(2) Circulate that draft EIR for public comment, so everyone can
have the opportunity to raise potential problems. And (3) respond
formally, in writing, to the comments received. Decision makers
must consider the draft EIR, comments, and responses prior to taking
action. The law doesnít say that the agency canít
take an action that impacts the environment, but it absolutely requires
the agency to know what itís doing.
The Gallo Corporation wants to expand an existing vineyard in the Salinas Valley on slopes in excess of 15%. They propose, among other things, to construct a 350 acre-foot irrigation reservoir, grade approximately 913,000 cubic yards of earthen materials, and remove 321 oak trees. The Monterey County Planning staff says no EIR is required. The Sierra Club (and many others) disagree. The Board of Supervisors will actually decide. You can put your word in at the meeting tomorrow. Itís at 3:00 oíclock at the Salinas County Courthouse.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Monterey County Board of Supervisors Agenda
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/cttb/agenda.htmCEQA Website
http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/
Tuesday,
January 27, 2004 -- The Seaside General Plan
Tomorrow night, the Seaside Planning Commission will consider a
proposed new General Plan for the City of Seaside. Prior to taking
action, the Commission is going to take public testimony. Residents
of Seaside, in particular, are invited to step forward with their
comments. The public hearing will begin at 7:00 oíclock tomorrow
night, in the Laguna Grande Hall at the Oldemeyer Center, at 986
Hilby Avenue in Seaside. A copy of the Final EIR and the Draft General
Plan are available on the Cityís website. Iíve provided
a link to that material as part the transcript of todayís
Land Use Report. To get more information on the topics I cover,
just click on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org. Please donít
hesitate to send me your comments and suggestions, as well.
Because the local General Plan is the most important document governing land use, those who care about the future of Seaside should pay close attention. Are there adequate parks, and are they located where they can best serve the community? The General Plan will decide that. Will there be a good balance of housing in the future, or will most of the housing be affordable only to those who can pay $500,000 or more for a home? Again, the General Plan will be determinative. Time to comment is getting short. The City Council is expected to be taking final action within the next month or so.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
City of Seaside Website
http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/EIR on Draft General Plan
http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/general%20plan/EIR/eir.htmDraft General Plan
http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/general%20plan/gp.htm
Wednesday,
January 28, 2004 -- Planning for Castroville
The little community of Castroville is an unincorporated area that
resembles a small city. But itís not a city. By definition,
a city has its own elected officials to govern its affairs. The
affairs of Castroville are governed by the Monterey County Board
of Supervisors.
Because itís not a city, Castroville doesnít have its own General Plan. The planning policies that will guide its future development are part of the Monterey County General Plan. That General Plan, as listeners probably know, is in the process of being updated. The latest draft of the proposed Monterey County General Plan Update was just released about a week ago.
There is some special planning for Castroville thatís moving forward. Castroville has been designated as a ìredevelopment area,î which means that it will be eligible for tax increment financing. Without getting too far into the complexities, that means that Castroville will be eligible for some funding that is not available elsewhere. How those tax increment dollars are directed will have a big impact on what happens to Castroville in the future.
If youíd like to be involved in the decision making process, thereís a meeting tonight that you should probably attend. The meeting will be at the Castroville Elementary School Cafeteria, 1116 Merritt Street, in Castroville. It starts at 6:00 oíclock. Future projects and plans are on the agenda.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Housing and Redevelopment Website
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/housing/Castroville Redevelopment
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/housing/Redevelopment/
CastrovilleRedevelope.asp
Thursday,
January 29, 2004 -- Find Out More About The Rail Trail
Last week, I talked about the proposed purchase of the rail corridor
that runs from Davenport to Watsonville. The Regional Transportation
Commission has been negotiating to buy that railroad right of way.
Monies are available from a state bond issue passed some years ago,
to facilitate rail transit.
This proposed purchase of the railroad right of way is rather controversial. I said last week that neighbors who live next to the line are significantly in opposition, and that has certainly been my impression. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ellen Pirie, however, who represents the Aptos area, called to correct me. She told me that many of her constituents who live close to the rail line actually favor its purchase, but that itís the specifics of the current proposal that are the main problem. At any rate, the decision either to purchase this rail line or not will have extremely important long term impacts on land use in Santa Cruz County. I encourage KUSP listeners to get involved.
If youíve got internet access, itís easy to get involved. There is now an open forum on the web, and participation from both advocates and opponents is expressly solicited. The current website has a good deal of information that outlines the arguments from both sides. Click on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org; track down the transcript to todayís report, and then join in the discussion!
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
SCCRTC Website
http://www.sccrtc.org/Facts on the Rail Line Acquisition
http://www.sccrtc.org/pdf/railacfax.pdfSanta Cruz Rail Corridor Forum
http://www.scrail.org/
Friday,
January 30, 2004 -- LAFCO And The San Mateo County Coast
Frequent listeners know what LAFCO is, and what an important role
LAFCO plays in the land use policy arena. Infrequent listeners may
need to be reminded that LAFCO is the acronym for the Local Agency
Formation Commission. LAFCOs referee boundary disputes, and make
decisions about annexations, detachments, and proposed incorporations.
And LAFCOs also focus very specifically on what services are delivered
where by which special districts.
The Santa Cruz County LAFCO has a distinguished record of holding the line on urban sprawl. In fact, stopping urban sprawl is one the major assignments given to LAFCOs by the State Legislature. If youíd like to see a LAFCO in action, the next meeting of the Santa Cruz County LAFCO might be particularly interesting. LAFCO will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4th, on the Fifth Floor of the County Governmental Center. On the agenda is a review of whatís going on in San Mateo County, where a proposal is being considered to extend the jurisdiction of the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District over onto the San Mateo County coastside. Santa Cruz County has, to a very great degree, preserved and protected its spectacular coast. But what about San Mateo County? Think about going to that LAFCO meeting to find out.
For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
More Information:
Santa Cruz County LAFCO
http://www.santacruzlafco.org/Information on San Mateo County Proposal
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/
100060986SMLAFCO_%20application%2010-28-03%20.pdf
Archives of past transcripts are available here
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