PALM STREET PERSPECTIVE 10/1/09

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The “big news” of September 2, 2009 according to the local newspaper was that the San Luis Obispo City Council approved a Target Store on the “Madonna Gap” property on LOVR. The Prefumo Creek Commons applicant abided by the General Plan, stuck to the city development guidelines, followed the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), dedicated nearly 14 acres of land to the city for agriculture, and the project passed 5-0 with little public controversy over open space.

But the really “big news” for many city residents was that the city is actually implementing the policy which the landowners agreed to in 1994 in order to mitigate loss of prime agricultural land. As stated in the Land Use Element (section 8.8), the “approximately 180-acre area of prime farm land bounded by Madonna Road, Highway 101, Central Coast Plaza, and Prefumo Creek is in three ownerships. The City intends to preserve at least one-half of this signature working agricultural landscape at the southern gateway to San Luis Obispo as it existed in 1994.” Now that two out of these three landowners have dedicated the promised amount of land to open space, all we need to complete the 90 acre vision is half of the remaining property, when the other half eventually develops and annexes into the city.

Of course, owning about 26 acres of prime agricultural land and the prospect of owning a total of 90 acres some day, raises the issue: what are the best uses of that land for the community? Non-profit organic farm? Community garden and/or orchard? Teaching and research area? Source of food for the food banks? Demonstration urban farm? Collaborative project with Cal Poly? Or?

To answer these and more questions, the City Council has set an Important Objective of the 2009-11 Financial Plan to “develop a master plan for City-owned agricultural land at Calle Joaquin.” Council approved the process for developing that master plan, noting the importance of building consensus to maximize the community benefit of this unique opportunity. As proposed by city staff, the Master Plan will: 1. Identify key stakeholders and participants who are willing to implement the plan; 2. Research and outline possible uses in the area; 3. Identify how the Prefumo Creek riparian corridor can be expanded and enhanced; 4. Identify where the extension of a bicycle/pedestrian trail between Calle Joaquin and Madonna Road should be located and the timing of its construction; 5. Identify how portions of the non-City owned properties might be utilized for agricultural purposes; 6. Make cost estimates for various activities and possible funding sources.

Council has decided to make the process as collaborative and participatory as possible, since there is so much community interest. Staff will begin by facilitating several public meetings to take input. Notification and outreach of these meetings will be provided to previously identified representative groups, any individuals who have requested notice, and via the usual public meeting noticing processes. To provide even greater public participation, this project will utilize the City’s website as its main communication tool and repository of information. An email “opt in” will be provided so that the City can develop a list of interested parties. The draft Master Plan will first go to the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission in fall of 2010 and then to the City Council.

It is important to note that the Master Plan for the Calle Joaquin area will be based on the existing City General Plan, will propose no changes, and will not consider any future development on the Dalidio Ranch. Over the years there have been differing public opinions as to the use and development of that land. The Master Plan presumes that a portion of the Dalidio Ranch will one day be designated for agricultural purposes and under the City’s control (either by fee or easement), as indicated in the City’s General Plan. The Master Plan will not affect the property rights of landowners.

I am excited that the community vision of 1994 is finally being implemented according to the General Plan. Many residents have worked hard over the years to make this plan a reality. I hope we take a collective moment to feel good about the fact that preservation of this fertile land is actually taking place. Hey, we are not just talking about preservation, we are DOING it. Please plan to participate. Just email nhavlik@slocity.org if you would like to be put on the email list.

Looking forward to working with the community on the Master Plan,
Jan

P.S. In case you are wondering why Council did not require housing on the Target site, it is because the Airport Land Use Commission does not allow it in this location. However, we did require the developer to allocate $1million for affordable housing. We also directed staff in the next few months to look at the possibility of rezoning nearby land from commercial to residential.