The KUSP Land Use Report #26: The Monterey County General Plan: The Rubber Meets The Road

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

In Monterey County, the rubber is starting to meet the road, in terms of land use planning. A draft General Plan Update was presented to the Board of Supervisors last Tuesday. This 500 plus page document still has to go through public review, and if you’d like to get involved, now is the time. By late summer, the shooting is likely to be over, and the Board of Supervisors will have set the policies to govern future land use.

In the next couple of weeks, I’ll identify just a few of the issues included in the draft Monterey County General Plan. I’ll point out some things that are not included, and will tell you how to participate. Participation really is the key if you’d like to have an impact on the future of land use in Monterey County.

The draft General Plan includes policies to direct future growth and development into existing urban areas. This is a change from business as usual. Not included is any requirement for a cost-benefit study before new developments are approved. A number of citizens have been asking for that. How to get involved? First, review the plan. Copies can be found in public libraries throughout Monterey County. Second, stand by to read and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Report, to be released at the end of January. Third, attend the meetings at which the plan will be discussed. I’ll keep you posted on the dates, places, and times.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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