More Information
San Luis Obispo Housing Trust Fund Website - http://www.slochtf.org/

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 – Land Use Policy, State and Local
The primary governmental unit in the United States is the “state” government, and the state government establishes the basic rules by which we operate in our local communities. That includes the land use rules and regulations that determine the parameters of where, how, and how much growth should be allowed. Maybe, however, this is largely a “theoretical” statement. As in most other states, California state government has chosen to “delegate” the most important land use policy decisions to the local level, and specifically to cities and counties. There’s a good reason for that. Local governments know the local situation better than Sacramento ever could, and it’s generally easier for local residents to control a local government than to influence the state government. The problem comes when individual local decisions start adding up to a regional and statewide problem. That’s when it’s time for the state government to get involved more directly.

I think it’s pretty clear that statewide water supply, air quality, transportation, and housing problems cry out for new solutions, and that the time has long since come for the state government to start setting more stringent rules for land use. Unfortunately, however, and I’m speaking from Sacramento, there isn’t an immediate solution on the horizon. Since there isn’t, local involvement is still your best investment of time and energy if you’d like to tackle the land use challenges that confront us everywhere, throughout this “golden state.”

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 – Water Saving Technology and Water Policy
Were you aware that Monterey County has a “Water Awareness Committee?” Well it does. It’s a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to promote personal responsibility through education for the conservation and beneficial use of water in Monterey County. Today, the Committee is holding a “Water-wise Landscape Symposium & Expo”at the Rancho Cañada Golf Club, in Carmel Valley. The event will provide legislative updates and water conservation tools for beautiful landscapes. It is intended for grounds managers, school districts, municipalities, city planners, landscape designers, golf course managers and homeowners.

It’s probably too late for most listeners to attend this Expo, but it’s not too late to think about the basic message. Instead of searching for new supplies of water, we should be finding ways to conserve and use our existing supplies more efficiently. Americans have a two hundred year tradition of conquering new territories and building new facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. In California, that westward expansion has met its geographic limit, and building new water supply projects is now the least effective way to provide needed water supplies. The Planning and Conservation League has published a “strategy document” showing what we ought to be doing on a statewide basis.

Thursday, March 23, 2006 – The Marin County General Plan
A couple of weekends ago, I spoke at an educational workshop sponsored by the Environmental Forum of Marin. A byproduct of my participation was a quick education on some of the most important things happening in that County, in terms of land use policy.

One thing I found out is that Marin County is right in the middle of a major General Plan Update. As KUSP listeners know, the local General Plan is the “Constitution for Land Use,” and there is no more important land use policy document. All the zoning ordinances and other land use regulations of the local community must be consistent with the General Plan, and project level decisions have to be consistent with the General Plan, too. Because the General Plan is such an important document, legally, the easiest way for a local resident to have an impact on land use issues is to participate vigorously in any General Plan Update process then underway. Within the Central Coast Region, Monterey County residents definitely know what I’m talking about.

Here’s the “news story” for today. If you’re a Central Coast Resident interested in land use policy, there are lots of good things to be gleaned from the current draft of the Marin County General Plan Update. This document makes “sustainability” a keystone concept, and combines a commitment to the protection of agricultural land and the natural environment with a commitment to affordable housing.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.