Let’s begin with an acronym. A-D-U stands for “Accessory Dwelling Unit.” An ADU is typically a small residential unit permitted in a single-family residential zone, and constructed on a parcel on which an existing residential structure already exists. Where ADUs are permitted, a single-family lot will, after construction of the ADU, actually have two separate residences on the single lot. If every house on a street put in an ADU, that would basically double the residential density on the street. This could have impacts on parking availability, and could significantly change the character of the neighborhood.

To make sure that ADUs don’t bring unacceptable impacts into single-family neighborhoods, ADU regulations typically require that an ADU be relatively small. ADU regulations may also require that an ADU can be constructed and rented separately only when the main residence is owner-occupied.

When permitted, ADUs often provide affordable housing opportunities, but there are those potential neighborhood impacts. Tomorrow, the Santa Cruz City Council is going to debate proposed changes to current ADU regulations in the City, and will decide whether ADUs should be permitted on lots where there is no owner occupant. Such a change could have a major impact on residential neighborhoods. If you want to weigh in, today’s transcript has more information.

More Information

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Santa Cruz City Council Agenda – November 18, 2014 Meeting

Caltrans is seeking ideas from the public on how to improve regional transportation, and will be holding a workshop today, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road in Salinas.

In addition, the Transportation Agency of Monterey County, or TAMC, is working with Monterey Salinas Transit, or MST, and is hosting two public hearings on “unmet transit needs in Monterey County.” Both TAMC and MST would like to hear from you if you know of a transit need in Monterey County that is not being met.

The first hearing on unmet transit needs will be at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19th, during the MST Mobility Advisory Committee Meeting. That meeting will be held at the MST Mobility Management Center, located at 150 Del Monte Avenue in Monterey. The public is definitely invited to attend and to provide input on new transit services that are needed in their community.

A second hearing on unmet transit needs in Monterey County will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3rd, during the TAMC Board of Directors Meeting. That meeting will take place at the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, located at 1428 Abbott Street in Salinas. Comments can also be submitted in writing. There is more information at kusp.org/landuse.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• State Website on Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan
• Website to make online comments on unmet transit needs in Monterey County

Comments on unmet transit needs in Monterey County can also be mailed to TAMC at 55-B Plaza Circle, Salinas, CA. 93901; Attention: Virginia Murillo.

For more information, in English or Spanish, contact Virginia Murillo by calling (831) 775-4415, or by sending her an email at: atvirgina@tamcmonterey.org

This evening, there is a free and “open to the public” event at the UCSC Music Recital Hall, located on the campus of the University of California at Santa Cruz. At 7:00 o’clock tonight, Lincoln Taiz, a UCSC Professor Emeritus of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, will be making a presentation on “Agriculture, Population Growth, and the Challenge of Climate Change.” This is a pretty timely topic, and certainly an important topic, and I think that a number of KUSP listeners might be interested. If you are interested, I hope you’ll consider attending. There is free parking available in the Performing Arts Parking Lot, right next door to the Music Recital Hall.

If you just can’t wait till tonight to attend an interesting meeting, consider this: This morning, from 9:00 to noon, the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency will be holding a special workshop on the proposed Interlake Tunnel Project. That workshop meeting will take place at the Agricultural Business Conference Center, located at 1428 Abbott Street in Salinas. I have links to more information in today’s transcript at kusp.org/landuse. In the agenda materials you will find a report providing detailed information on how building a tunnel between Nacimiento Reservoir and San Antonio Reservoir might provide new water resources for Monterey County.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• MCWRA Agenda For November 19, 2014
• Information on the Lincoln Taiz Presentation
• Map, UCSC Recital Hall

Jerry Mander is an American activist and author, perhaps best known for his 1977 book, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television. His most recent book is called The Capitalism Papers. Mander focuses in that book on various environmental and social problems he associates with capitalism, so it is fair to say he remains a critic of our current social and economic reality. If you would like to hear Mander in person, here is a great opportunity. Mander will be speaking at the UCSC Kresge Town Hall this afternoon, from 4:00 to 5:45. His presentation is free and open to the public. Special event parking permits will be on sale for $4 on the 3rd floor of the Core West Parking Garage from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. I have a link to more information at kusp.org/landuse.

Mander’s talk this afternoon is going to be based on a conference he recently hosted in New York, titled  "Techno-Utopianism and The Fate of The Earth." He is going to contrast efforts to build a “Techno-Utopia” with an opposing, nature based approach, as illuminated in Ecotopia, the novel by Ernest Callenbach.

Mander is skeptical of the idea that “technology will solve our problems.” Whatever you think, you can hear his passionate presentation on this theme this afternoon. I hope many listeners can attend.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Events Page on Facebook – Ecotopia or Techno-Utopia
• Wikipedia Entry on Jerry Mander

In earlier Land Use Reports, I have mentioned a community group called NOPOC, or “Neighbors Organized to Protect Our Community.” NOPOC is a grassroots association of Santa Cruz County residents who have been opposing the construction of a proposed power line project in the Watsonville and Aptos area. PG&E advanced plans to build what they call a “115 kV Reinforcement Project,” which essentially means a bigger power line. If constructed, the project would have possible impacts on wildlife, livestock, agriculture, businesses, and homes in the affected area.

Because of NOPOC demands, an Environmental Impact Report is being prepared, but the release of the Draft EIR has been repeatedly delayed, and now an Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities Commission has decided to conduct a prehearing conference on December 12th, to investigate the necessity for the project. One possible outcome will be a determination that the proposed project is not actually needed. You can get more information at kusp.org/landuse.

Let me make an observation about this latest development: Organized community participation makes a difference! In other words, if you care about something, getting personally involved, and getting organized with others who feel the same, is definitely worth your time!

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• News From NOPOC, With More Information
• PUC Website on the proposed project