I think it is always a good idea to question whether “development,” as we usually call it, ends up representing a net benefit to the community. Bigger is not always better. More is not always better, either. This is particularly true when we consider that the “developments” that advance various economic and other objectives almost always impose a significant burden and cost on the natural environment, which in the end is what sustains all of us, and all of our human activities. Thinking long and hard about the balance between the burdens and the benefits of proposed development projects, and thinking about “how” developments are carried out, is the essence of what we usually think of as “planning.” The Land Use Report is unequivocally in favor of community based planning! There is no secret there!

From 6:00 to 8:00 o’clock this evening, you can see some preliminary results from a current planning effort focused on the future “development” (or not) of the former Fort Ord. Regional Urban Design Guidelines are being prepared. Highly regarded planners are involved. You can be involved, too! Come to 910 2nd Avenue in Marina this evening, to review community input and draft guideline elements, and to give your feedback to the planning team!

Another Work-in-Progress presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 11th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., again at 910 2nd Avenue.

More Information

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• The Parker Report – Design Fort Ord
• FORA Urban Design Guideline Project
• Map – 910 2nd Avenue, Marina
• Design Fort Ord
• Design Fort Ord Calendar
• For More Information Call FORA at 831-883-3672

The Mayor of the City of Santa Cruz, Don Lane, has said that his highest personal priority is to have the City of Santa Cruz take actions to deal with the affordable housing crisis facing virtually all local communities throughout the Monterey Bay Region. A link to a nice news article can be found in today’s transcript at kusp.org/landuse. Meanwhile, this morning, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is taking a comprehensive look at the County’s affordable housing program. I encourage listeners to read the staff report, and to comment in person or by email, if you have the time. There is a link to that report in today’s transcript, too. Lots of very significant changes to the County’s affordable housing program are being suggested, and many of them will have major consequences for the development of affordable housing in the unincorporated portions of Santa Cruz County.

One change that might have a significant impact is a proposal to eliminate the requirement for the on-site construction of affordable housing in new developments of fewer than 14 units. Since the adoption of Measure J in 1978, the County has required the actual construction of affordable housing in connection with any development of five or more units. Collecting fees from developers, instead of making them actually build units, is what the staff is recommending. If you care, you should weigh in.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Article – Don Lane on Housing
• February 10, 2015 Board Agenda
• Agenda Item #42 – Affordable Housing Regulations

Let me alert listeners to a forum on water supply reliability that will take place this afternoon at the Museum of Art and History in downtown Santa Cruz. Before providing more details, though, I want to give Monterey County listeners a “heads up” on a meeting of the Monterey County Planning Commission, being held this morning in Salinas. I have a link to more information on both meetings at kusp.org/landuse.

In Salinas, the Monterey County Planning Commission will address water and energy efficient landscaping, the County’s development evaluation system, and its mitigation and monitoring program. Plus, the Commission will be making decisions on the future development of the Palo Corona Regional Park. Check out the Commission’s agenda!

Returning to the topic of the water supply reliability forum, scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 o’clock this afternoon in Santa Cruz, the forum is jointly sponsored by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Cruz Water Department, the Water Supply Advisory Committee, and Desal Alternatives. That’s a very broad sponsorship list!

Guest speakers are economist David Mitchell, who will present “Water Reliability and the Community’s Economy,” and water and energy efficiency consultant John Rosenblum, who will present “Deep Conservation: Going Beyond The Building Code.”

Hard to think of a more important topic. I encourage listeners to attend!

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Desal Alternatives Announcement of Forum
• February 11, 2015 Agenda, Monterey County Planning Commission

The Water Supply Advisory Committee will be holding meetings on February 12th at 5:00 p.m. and on February 13th at 2:00 p.m. at Peace United Church, 900 High Street in Santa Cruz. More information on the Water Supply Advisory Committee can be found by clicking this link.

I always like to get communications from Mark Stone, formerly a member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, and now a member of the California State Assembly, representing most of Santa Cruz County, and a good portion of Monterey County. Stone, by the way, who previously served on the California Coastal Commission, has recently been appointed to the State Coastal Conservancy, which is good news for those residents of the Monterey Bay Region who would like to see continuing efforts to preserve and protect our coastline.

Speaking of that topic, Assembly Member Stone sent me a bulletin about an event being held this evening at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in downtown Santa Cruz. The event will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; it’s free, and it is open to the public.

The event this evening is going to kick off a drive to persuade the President of the United States to establish a Santa Cruz Redwoods National Monument along the Santa Cruz County North Coast. Congressional action is not needed, and the organizers of this effort are hoping that a showing of overwhelming public support for the National Monument idea will get the President’s attention. Congress Member Anna Eshoo and former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will be speaking this evening.

The organizers are expecting a big crowd, and are asking you to register in advance. I have a link at kusp.org/landuse, in case you’d like to do that.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• Assembly Member Mark Stone’s Website
• Santa Redwoods National Monument Campaign
• Mark Stone Online Announcement
• Register Online For February 12th Event

Here’s a “mark your calendar” item. Furthermore, this is an item that will send you to Davis, California, if you’d like to participate. Furthermore, the event I am announcing will actually cost you money to attend.

This isn’t, in other words, an event for everyone, but there are a number of KUSP listeners who might like to know about a conference being sponsored by the California Climate & Agriculture Network, usually referred to as CalCAN. The conference will be held at U.C. Davis, on March 24th and March 25th. Registration is underway now, and I have links that can help you register if you’d like to do that (but you have to provide the credit card). CalCAN is focusing on agriculture and climate change, and the Davis conference is being billed as a “Climate & Agriculture Summit.” Since agriculture plays such a central role in the local economy of both Santa Cruz County and Monterey County, local folks should be aware of this upcoming event.

On the agenda: “Coping with Drought;” “Soil Building;” and “Farmland Conservation.” Cap and Trade funding may be available for conservation activities, and you can get the full story by attending the Summit. The Summit is a unique gathering of farmers and ranchers, scientists, and agriculture professionals and policymakers. It’s a great way to learn about how science, policy, and practices relate to climate change and California agriculture.

More Information:

• Land Use Links
• Gary Patton’s Two Worlds Blog
• CalCAN Summit Announcement
• Event Details and Online Registration