Dear Friends,
Just 3 days ago we learned that the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that may have profound impacts on Bonny Doon and other rural areas of Santa Cruz County. Please tell the Planning Commission what you think: by email, in person, or by zoom. The details below describe our concerns, where you can find the proposed ordinance and how to provide your comments. The proposed ordinance is attached to this message, or you can download it at the following link: https://www2.santacruzcountyca.gov/planning/plnmeetings/PLNSupMaterial/PC/agendas/2024/20240313/007.pdf The ordinance would allow property owners in rural parts of the County to operate commercial “Low Impact Camping Areas” (LICAs) on parcels greater than 5 acres. Campgrounds would be exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) environmental review. Let the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors know your concerns. The RBDA board has the following specific concerns, which you may want to include in your comments to the Planning Commission: We believe that it is inappropriate to adopt the proposed ordinance now, as it is contrary to current state law. The ordinance should not be adopted until state law is changed to allow these campgrounds. The proposed ordinance is purported to provide access to campsites for low-income visitors. The ordinance must set a cap on campsite prices to ensure that they are, in fact, a low-cost alternative. Construction of yurts, domes, and other structures on LICA parcels should require the same County review as on other parcels. The CEQA exemption should be rejected. Meaningful CEQA (environmental) review must be conducted. There is no evidence showing that the ordinance is consistent with the County General Plan or Local Coastal Plan. Low Impact Camping Area (LICA) permits should not be allowed on parcels zoned residential, such as RA or RR. Despite “low impact” in the acronym “LICA”, the proposed ordinance encourages development rather than minimizing impact in environmentally sensitive areas. Under any circumstances, campsites in the Coastal Zone must receive a Coastal Development Permit. Because of safety issues (including fire hazard), noise, impacts on neighbors, problems with campers not following occupancy limits or other rules, it is insufficient to have the campground manager located off-site. The property manager must be on-site whenever sites are occupied. Who else will make sure rules are followed? If the ordinance is approved, permit fees should be significant. Although we are sympathetic with the goals of enabling visitors of all income levels to visit our County, we urge the Planning Commission to vote “no” on the proposed ordinance until the proposal receives adequate CEQA environmental review, the ordinance is determined to be consistent with the General Plan and LCP, and our other concerns are adequately addressed. You can provide your comments in 3 ways: (1) Attend the Planning Commission meeting Wednesday morning at 9:30am, March 13 and provide testimony in person at: Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 525 County Government Center 701 Ocean Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (2) Comment by zoom at the following link: https://www2.santacruzcountyca.gov/planning/plnmeetings/ASP/Display/ASPX/DisplayAgenda.aspx?MeetingDate=3/13/2024&MeetingType=1 (3) Send comments by email to the following email address, specifying that your comments are in reference to the March 13 Agenda item 7: [email protected] Send comments by email to the Board of Supervisors: [email protected] Sincerely, RBDA board
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