LandWatch Releases 2nd Edition of Its Best Policies Guidebook

** PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

Amy White
831-277-4836
awhite@mclw.org
www.LandWatch.org

CHOOSING THE FUTURE WE WANT
Planning Decisions Today Affect the Future Tomorrow

Salinas, CA, Friday, January 18, 2013 – LandWatch Monterey County has released its second edition of Land Use and the General Plan: A Best Policies Guidebook. This publication outlines innovative land use policy ideas based on current population and growth patterns in Monterey County. It effectively demonstrates how good land use planning can be based on, and reflect, the community’s choice about future growth. The Guidebook is a tool for informed citizen participation in the land use planning process and includes creative methods for addressing the most significant planning problems facing the Monterey County region. The Guidebook can be downloaded in its entirety from the LandWatch website: www.LandWatch.org or paper copies can be obtained by calling the office at 831-759-2824.

“For 16 years LandWatch and our members have participated in and shaped decisions regarding land use in Monterey County. The community’s involvement means better decisions,” states Amy L. White, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, “we are proud of the land use policies LandWatch has been able to affect already.” Monterey County faces numerous difficult decisions that relate to our everyday quality of life: how long it takes to get to work; if our water supplies are enough; and if we will protect and preserve the natural resources we cherish in the region.

Each section of this Guidebook is devoted to a specific land use planning issue, and LandWatch focused on the toughest and most difficult issues: protecting property rights; affordable housing; preserving agricultural land; stopping sprawl; natural resource protection; transportation and transit; water and land use; and the permit process reform. The Guidebook first outlines the problem that the suggested policy is seeking to address, and then discusses the approach recommended to address the problem.

“This report outlines LandWatch’s philosophy about land use and our participation in the tough decisions about our finite resources,” comments Ms. White. “The information provided in this Guidebook offers sensible and reasonable ways to address some of Monterey County’s most pressing issues.”

LandWatch Monterey County is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving our community's economic vitality, high agricultural productivity, and the health of our environment by encouraging greater public participation in planning.

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posted 01.18.13