The KUSP Land Use Report #7: "Certificates of Compliance"

"Listen Live"

This is Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, with a Land Use Report for KUSP.

Land use decisions are local—but state laws can have an extremely significant effect. Right now, a dramatic battle is being fought over state legislation that would help preserve the Big Sur Coast, and that would make it easier to protect the 83,000 acre Hearst Ranch, in San Luis Obispo County. The legislation is Senate Bill 497, by State Senator Byron Sher. This bill would limit the use of "lot line adjustments" and "certificates of compliance" as a way to develop large acreages.

Normally, land cannot be divided into smaller parcels without going through a rigorous review under the Subdivision Map Act. That means that the local community has control. There is, however, a "loophole." Where ancient lots exist, developers can divide their lands through "certificates of compliance," without any public process. Conservation efforts in Big Sur and elsewhere on the coast are being frustrated by this practice—and the Hearst Corporation is trying to use the "certificate of compliance" loophole to create literally hundreds of lots on their 83,000 acre ranch—and all without significant public review.

Past court decisions and legislation have brought us to the present situation. Unless the law is changed now—and Senate Bill 497 is enacted—these techniques will continue to be used to cut up the coast. If you’re interested, write a letter to Governor Gray Davis. His may be the final word.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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