March 7, 2006

New Attack on Private Homes and Land

By Cove Britton

Changes to county ordinances could disallow the inclusion of land area with slopes over a certain percent grade, wet areas, and more, in determining the size of your lot. Many existing homes will become "non-conforming" which means that remodel, expansion or rebuilding in the event of fire or flood loss may be prohibited.

You or somebody you may know, is going to lose some of their property. Note this change is not limited to public hearing areas alone...

Proposed ordinance change regarding "Inside the Urban Services Line the total site area less all public or private rights-of-way designated for vehicle access, coastal bluffs, beaches, arroyos, streams, land between stream banks, lakes, marches, sloughs or other submerged areas" (on page 3 of 10 Section III).

This proposed ordinance change is to be heard as Item 9 March 8th at the planning commission.

Also note that a arroyo (per county ordinances) is a gully, ravine or canyon created by a perennial, intermittent or ephemeral stream.... Ephemeral stream. A natural watercourse or portion thereof which flows only in direct response to precipitation... if you have a drainage ditch or anything like it...

This change in the net site area finition for single family dwellings could have dramatic effects on both existing homes and new homes. It essentially is disallowing those portions of property as counting towards the size of ones lot.

See the full proposed ordinance changes (of this particular round of related changes supposedly to come). What is also important to note for some, is that compatibility is still not defined in non subjective terms. Compatibility is still in the eye of the beholder.

Planning Commission Hearing:
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 5th Floor
701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz.
9AM Wednesday March 8th

• 3/6/2006 - Read the Proposed Ordinance.
  
  
• 3/4/2006 - Listen to the Perspectives Radio Show.