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KUSP LandWatch
News
Week of October 24, 2011 to October 28, 2011
Week of October 24, 2011 to October 28, 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 October 24, 2011 to October 28, 2011
- Monday, October 24, 2011
Do You Care About Two-Way Traffic?
- Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Oil Wells And Pebble Beach Tomorrow
- Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Free Education On Water Issues
- Thursday, October 27, 2011
Hiking Fort Ord (And The Pinnacles)
- Friday, October 28, 2011
Marking Your Calendars: LAFCO In December
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, October 24, 2011 Do You Care About Two-Way Traffic? |
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Many people think that how automobile traffic is handled on Pacific Avenue, in downtown Santa Cruz, is a big deal. Should cars or people be favored? Should traffic go one way or two ways? What about that “pedestrian only” idea? By and large, it’s my impression that most of the people who go downtown think that things are working well right now. It’s a pleasant environment, and there are certainly lots of people there. Some cars. But lots of people! Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty, Council Member Lynn Robinson, and Council Member Hilary Bryant think that some changes are probably in order. And they want to make those changes by November 8th, responding to a request from the Downtown Association with what amounts to “warp speed” for local government. Six days ago, the Downtown Association unanimously supported a proposal to convert Pacific Avenue, and two other downtown streets, from one-way to two-way traffic. Mayor Coonerty obviously wants to be accommodating. He and his colleagues suggest a quick review by the Downtown Commission and the Public Works Commission, with a final Council decision on November 8th, less than one month after the proposal was made. No public workshops or public hearings are proposed. If you think that traffic patterns on Pacific Avenue are a big deal, you should probably weigh in at the City Council meeting; it’s Tuesday at 3:00 o’clock. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Oil Wells And Pebble Beach Tomorrow |
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The Monterey County Planning Commission is meeting tomorrow. The meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers located at 168 West Alisal Street in Salinas, beginning at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. You are, of course, invited to attend and participate. You can also just watch. There are at least a couple of items on tomorrow’s Planning Commission agenda that I think are of both significance and interest. By “interest,” I mean “general” interest. I find that many, if not all, land use and planning items are interesting and entertaining, but I am deeply versed and immersed in the intricacies of planning law and practice. People like me, in other words, might think that almost anything having to do with planning is “interesting.” Others clearly do not, but some items do have a more “general” appeal and what might even be called “entertainment value.” “Fracking,” for instance, might have some general public interest. That is the practice of injecting toxic liquids into the ground to fracture geologic structures and to promote the recovery of oil and gas. There is a “fracking” proposal on the Planning Commission agenda tomorrow. And there is a proposal to develop more uses on the Pebble Beach property, too. Plus all those other items that only people like me find “interesting.” You can get the links on the KUSP website. Pebble Beach is at 10:00 o’clock. “Fracking” is at 1:30. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Wednesday, October 26, 2011 Free Education On Water Issues |
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Water policy issues are “hot topics” on both sides of the Monterey Bay, and I encourage listeners to get educated and to get involved. For Monterey County residents who would like to become better informed, an opportunity to benefit from some “free education” on Monterey County’s water complexities is available this evening. Tonight, beginning at 6:00 p.m., and continuing until 10:30, the Monterey City Council will host a public meeting devoted entirely to presentations on all of the key water policy issues now being discussed and debated in Monterey County. I have put a link to the agenda in the transcript of today’s Land Use Report. Here is how the item is presented: Monterey Peninsula Water Forum - On behalf of the six Peninsula cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City and Seaside, this public forum will explore the current array of proposed water projects, along with each project's proposed solution, including how it creates a new water supply for the Peninsula, and at what cost. Public questions and comments are going to be permitted. Presentations will be made by: the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency; the DeepWater Desal Project; The People’s Moss Landing Water Desal Project; and the California American Water Company, or Cal-Am. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Thursday, October 27, 2011 Hiking Fort Ord (And The Pinnacles) |
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The Sierra Club is the largest single environmental group in the Monterey Bay Area. I often run across Sierra Club representatives as I attend public meetings of various kinds, and the law firm with which I am associated has sometimes represented the Sierra Club. I am currently representing the Ventana Chapter of the Club in its efforts to find watershed level solutions to flooding and other issues on the Pajaro River. And I’m a member of the Club myself. So, discount my remarks as you think appropriate, but I do want to suggest that you investigate your own possible affiliation with the Sierra Club. If you are a public policy wonk with a penchant for the environment, there is definitely something to attract you. Most Sierra Club members, however (I am pretty sure I am right about this) get involved because of the Sierra Club “Outings” calendar. In other words, the periodic encouragement I provide for listeners to get out and actually to experience the natural environment in our region can be realized by those who participate in Sierra Club outings. This morning, there is a Sierra Club hike on Fort Ord. On Sunday, October 29th, the Club is sponsoring a hike in the Pinnacles. I found out about these outings because of my Club membership. One way or the other, I really do hope that you and your family will see and experience what we’ve got out there. And what we need to protect! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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| Friday, October 28, 2011 Marking Your Calendars: LAFCO In December |
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Here is a “mark your calendars ahead” item. On Wednesday, December 7th, starting at 8:30 in the morning, the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, will consider the applications of the City of Santa Cruz and the University of California at Santa Cruz for expansion of the City’s Sphere of Influence and a grant of permission to the City to extend its water service to the University’s North Campus Area. As frequent listeners know, the law firm with which I am associated represents the Community Water Coalition, or CWC, which opposes these applications. I have a definite point of view. Whatever your own point of view, however, I encourage you to attend the December 7th public hearing, and to make plans to participate. What is at stake is a future commitment of the City’s water supply to support new University growth. If the applications are approved, UCSC will be cleared for take off on their plans to build over three million square feet of new construction in an area that is now largely a nature reserve. Also at stake is the reliability of water supplies for current residents and businesses in the City’s Water Service Area, and whether the fish and wildlife which depend on flows in the San Lorenzo River and North Coast streams will have enough water. The issues are complex. And very important. Again, mark your calendars for December 7th. I will alert you again, nearer to the date. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
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Archives of past transcripts are available here
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