The KUSP Land Use Report #13: There Is Power In Policy

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The following Land Use Report is presented by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of our sponsors.

Your personal participation in land use policymaking can have a big pay off. "There’s power in policy!"

Every community must have a General Plan. That General Plan must cover the following topics: land use; transportation; safety; conservation; open space; noise, and housing. By and large, each community can adopt whatever policies the community decides are best. Once adopted, however, the General Plan becomes the "Constitution" for land use in that community. Every individual planning decision must be "consistent" with the General Plan.

If a General Plan says that agricultural land must remain in agriculture—then that will be the rule. If the General Plan says that no new housing developments will be approved unless adequate classrooms are available, then that will be the rule. If the General Plan says that new housing developments must include a specific percentage of housing for average and below average income persons—then that will be the rule. There’s power in policy!

Usually, General Plans don’t say things like the things I just said. But they can. If you’d like to exercise some power over the future of your community, now’s a good time to get personally involved. General Plan Updates are underway in Monterey County, Salinas, the City of Monterey, the City of Sand City, and Marina.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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