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KUSP LandWatch
News
Week of September 26, 2011 to September 30, 2011
Week of September 26, 2011 to September 30, 2011
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 September 26, 2011 to September 30, 2011
- Monday, September 26, 2011
LAFCO, Monterey County
- Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Growth Management in San Benito County
- Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A Study Session This Afternoon
- Thursday, September 29, 2011
Charges And Counter Charges
- Friday, September 30, 2011
Soquel State Demonstration Forest
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary A. Patton. The Wittwer & Parkin law firm is located in Santa Cruz, California, and practices environmental and governmental law. As part of its practice, the law firm files litigation and takes other action on behalf of its clients, which are typically private individuals, governmental agencies, environmental organizations, or community groups. Whenever the Land Use Report comments on an issue with which the Wittwer & Parkin law firm is involved on behalf of a client, Mr. Patton will make this relationship clear, as part of his commentary. Mr. Patton’s comments do not represent the views of Wittwer & Parkin, LLP, KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors.
| Monday, September 26, 2011 LAFCO, Monterey County |
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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. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Tuesday, September 27, 2011 Growth Management in San Benito County |
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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. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Wednesday, September 28, 2011 A Study Session This Afternoon |
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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: Sound interesting? The meeting is at 4:00 p.m. You are invited to participate. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Thursday, September 29, 2011 Charges And Counter Charges |
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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! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Friday, September 30, 2011 Soquel State Demonstration Forest |
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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. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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Archives of past transcripts are available here
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