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KUSP provides a brief Land Use Report on KUSP Radio. Tune in every weekday at 6:33 or 8:49 am. KUSP is at 88.9 FM in General Coverage, 105.9 FM in Big Sur Valley, 91.3 FM in Palo Colorado Canyon, and 91.7 FM in San Ardo. Archives of past transcripts are available here. Week of November 24, 2003 to November 28, 2003
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio 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 its sponsors. Monday,
November 24, 2003 – Decision Tomorrow on Marina Heights There are lots of things for the Council to consider. The environmental impact analysis was challenged as inadequate. Housing affordability is also a key concern. Of the 1,050 new homes proposed, not even one will be sold at a price that an average income person can afford. 80% of the homes will go to persons who can afford to pay $500,000 or more for a house. This project is also notable for ignoring the existing General Plan. More than twenty General Plan amendments are being asked for, to allow the project to go forward. The meeting is tomorrow night at 6:30, and the public is definitely invited! To find out more, click on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org, and look up the transcript for today’s Report. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Tuesday,
November 25, 2003 –In-Lieu Affordable Housing Fees The issue of in-lieu affordable housing fees is an important one. Local governments can establish a system of “inclusionary housing,” which requires developers to include a percentage of affordable housing in every new development. This is one of the very best ways to insure that at least some affordable housing will be produced, as new growth proceeds. Cities that establish an inclusionary requirement often provide an “escape hatch.” While the basic rule may be that the developer must include a certain percentage of affordable housing in each new development, these jurisdictions allow payment of an “in-lieu” fee, as an alternative to building the required number of units. In other words, developers are given the option to “buy themselves out” of the basic inclusionary responsibility. When that option is available, developers often take it, and while the local government ends up with a pot of money, no real units get built; or, if they do, they get built a lot later than the market rate units. The other problem is the amount of the in-lieu fee. The fee should, of course, actually be big enough to allow the city to construct an affordable unit. That’s often not true. In Atascadero, this is exactly the issue that’s up for discussion tonight. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Wednesday,
November 26, 2003 – Santa Cruz Sentinel Hits A High Note What the Sentinel said is that land use issues “can’t be ignored.” They’re critically important. You’ll note, of course, that this is the same message that I unabashedly promote here on the Land Use Report. Citing the California Policy Reform Network, the Sentinel noted that “encouraging compact and efficient development patterns…must be a part of any future planning and budgeting by state agencies.” The editorial also noted that “these kinds of planning priorities hardly seem novel to those used to Santa Cruz County politics.” Santa Cruz County has been aiming for what is now called “Smart Growth” since at least 1978, when the voters adopted Measure J, the County’s Growth Management System. The Sentinel is right, though, that these principles need to be applied in other areas, and at the state level. Governor Schwarzenneger, please take note! The Land Use Report joins with the Santa Cruz County Sentinel in highlighting the importance of statewide land use policy reform. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Thursday,
November 27, 2003 – The Williamson Act in Monterey County The Williamson Act is a voluntary program. Property owners apply to the County for Williamson Act designation, and promise (in doing so) that they will keep their properties in agricultural use for at least the next twenty years. There’s actually a contract that specifies that, and every year, the contract gets automatically extended for another year. In return for the property owner’s commitment to keep their land in agriculture, the County lowers property taxes on the property involved. The State makes it all possible by repaying the County for the property tax loss they incur. The Williamson Act isn’t perfect. Landowners who want to develop farmland don’t have to sign up. But property owners who do want to preserve their agricultural land can get some real benefits by doing something that’s good for the public. As I say, you should know about the Williamson Act! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Friday,
November 28, 2003 – Farms and Fishes Conference The theme of the upcoming conference is “Farms and Fishes.” Participants will hear from food producers, from groups and agencies working to protect water, and from those with innovative approaches to outreach, restoration, and consumer education. Presentations by local experts are going to be a main feature. This part of the Central Coast really does have a lot to teach the rest of the world about how to make sure that agricultural production doesn’t result in drastic impacts on water supply and water quality. Bruce Van Allen, a former member of the Santa Cruz City Council, will be speaking on watershed rehabilitation. Kaitlin Gaffney, a current member of the Santa Cruz City Planning Commission, and Central Coast Program Manager for The Ocean Conservancy, will give an overall environmental analysis. Mark Silberstein, from the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, and Cindy Walter from the Passionfish Restaurant in Monterey, are also on the agenda. You’ve heard it here before. How we use the land impacts our marine and water resources. Get lots of details at the Farms and Fishes conference! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Archives of past transcripts are available here |
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