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LandWatch 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 18, 2002 to November 22, 2002
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 18th – “Smart Growth” and Transit in Marina For listeners who like to mark their calendars ahead, note that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will be meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26th, to decide whether or not to maintain “smart growth” principles as the basis of the new Monterey County General Plan. I encourage your attendance. For listeners who want to know what to do right now, please note that the Monterey Salinas Transit District is meeting this morning, at 10:00 a.m., at the MST Conference Room, One Ryan Ranch Road in Monterey, to consider a “smart growth” proposal in the City of Marina. The question is whether the Transit District, as it develops a new bus terminal, should include on-site housing. It’s an exciting possibility, and a real “smart growth” idea. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information:
Tuesday,
November 19th – Pismo Beach Planning Items Typically, zoning codes set “Level of Service” standards for traffic, to be applied to new development proposals. If a proposed development would cause traffic to exceed the designated Level of Service, the development might be denied. This has the effect, sometimes, of spinning off new development into rural areas, where of course there aren’t any traffic problems (yet), because there isn’t any development (yet). The ultimate result can be the kind of urban sprawl that gives us gridlock. In other words, ironically, Level of Service standards for traffic can actually lead to the kind of problems they’re intended to avoid. Progressive planners are now suggesting that another approach might be better, to allow development in already existing urban areas to go ahead, even if there are some traffic problems. The idea is to stimulate the kind of urban-centered development that will achieve long-term “smart growth” results. That’s the issue that is being debated tonight in Pismo Beach. If you can get to the meeting, it should be worthwhile to listen in. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information:
Wednesday,
November 20th – The San Luis Obispo County LAFCO Let’s stipulate that most of us are residents of the Central Coast. Don’t we agree that this is one of the most spectacular physical environments in the entire world? Well, that’s my opinion. And, most of us agree that this environment is under spectacular pressures. The human urge to build, expand, grow, and develop is certainly alive and well on the Central Coast. That’s where land use regulations, General Plans, and zoning ordinances come into play. The land use rules we set for ourselves will determine the ultimate fate of our environment. If you’re from San Luis Obispo County, one of the most spectacular parts of the Central Coast, think about attending tomorrow’s meeting of Local Agency Formation Commission (or LAFCO). The San Luis Obispo County LAFCO will be discussing its Spheres of Influence program. Spheres of Influence, set by LAFCOs, determine just how far growth and development will be allowed to proceed. They are a critically important land use tool. Get acquainted with them at the LAFCO meeting tomorrow. It starts at 9:00 a.m. at the San Luis Obispo County Government Center. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information:
Thursday,
November 21st – Accessory Dwelling Units in Santa Cruz
An “accessory dwelling unit” is a second dwelling unit on the same lot as a main residential structure. Cities tend to have fairly complicated rules about such second dwelling units. The concern is impacts on the neighborhood. Traffic, parking, and other problems can arise if accessory dwelling units are not properly regulated. On the other hand, accessory dwelling units can provide opportunities for much needed affordable housing. AB 1866 directs local communities to do some things with respect to accessory dwelling units that they might not otherwise do. While most planning decisions are made at the local level, the State Legislature can override local communities, and tell them how to do their job. To some degree, that’s what is happening here. The Legislature wants more affordable housing, and they don’t trust local communities to approve it. If you’d like to see what this new state law might mean in the City of Santa Cruz, don’t miss the Planning Commission meeting tonight. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information:
Friday,
November 22nd – Advance Notices Second, if you’re a frequent listener, you know about the Monterey County General Plan Update. A General Plan establishes the foundation policies that will guide all future growth and development. In the case of Monterey County, a couple of fundamentally different policy directions are being debated. One policy direction would have most future growth focused in a limited number of areas that would, essentially, become ever more “urban,” while development would be guided away from farmlands and open space lands. This is what the draft General Plan proposes. However, the Board of Supervisors is also entertaining over 270 requests from individual property owners, who want to develop rural and agricultural lands that the draft plan says are not appropriate for future growth. The decision made by the Board will be a “fork in the road” choice, and will have a major impact on the future of Monterey County. The time for decision is next Tuesday, November 26th, at 1:30 p.m., at the County Courthouse in Salinas. It would be great to see you there. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information:
Archives of past transcripts are available here |
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