Cambria has a very vocal anti-growth clique. They are a small group of folks with friends in high places. Cambria also has people who enjoy living in a small town, but  recognize that plans to stop anyone from building forever is unrealistic. These folks seem to feel less compelled to be involved or are too busy working to earn what it takes to pay the bills here to get involved.

Water and growth have been welded together for years in Cambria. It’s been so long since we knew any other way. The issues are complex and the details begin to fade after so many years, if they ever even knew them. Almost 60% of us  have lived in our current home for under 10 years.  (neighborcity.com) Only 45% of us have lived in town more than 5 years. (clrsearch.com) Armed with these facts, it may be easier to understand why there is some confusion and misinformation. Time to begin to dispel the myths and offer facts so we can make informed choices. With nearly 68% of us earning a higher degree, I am confident that information and discussion can only be an asset.  So to that end, AboutCambria.com will be going back to basics. A refresher for some, an introduction to others and eye-opening for all, the next few weeks will be all About Cambria.

Cambria Water Supply

An evaluation of our water resource capacity (water supply)  provided the data the Board used to determine we do not have enough water to provide a reliable supply to even the current residents and businesses (Water Master Plan Task 3).  This was not the first study of our water and is unlikely to be the last. But it did trigger the Board to declare a water emergency and a moratorium on new connections. In order to ensure a very high standard of reliability, the CCSD Board decided a desalination plant must be built.  When I first started following the activity of the CCSD and the County of San Luis Obispo, I assumed that anti-growth and anti-desal were essentially one position. As the stereotypes have faded and I’ve gotten a better understanding of the situation, it’s clear that growth and desalination are two sides of the same coin – distinct and not always a matched set.

Like most of you, I value our village atmosphere. The continuing  stress on our shared resources doesn’t contribute to a vibrant and healthy community. But I’m not convinced that locking the gates and stopping all new construction here is realistic.  This does not make me the enemy of our town.  I am in favor of having a living, thriving, open town committed to a set of sustainable, rational policies that will create a model community, one that other want to emulate,  instead of an example of what to avoid.

It seems like no growth advocates have rather effectively controlled the Cambrian narrative and future planning for at least a decade.  Their story of Cambria includes an ominous horde of  developers cast in the role of villains intent on destroying our  village atmosphere and way of life.  In that world, without the limits on the water supply, Cambria would go from a town of 4,000 to a city of 11,000 overnight.  Even if a growth rate this large was possible from a construction angle, the County’s ordinances, regulations, planning policies and permitting procedures are designed to keep the rate of growth reasonable. Under the current 20 year plan for the North Coast, it  will be 2056 before we reach the 6,130 dwellings the County estimates as absolute buildout. The story no growth-ers tell paints them as the heroes and any Cambrian who doesn’t abhor growth as  not caring about our town or its future. That’s a little like saying that if I’m not anti-abortion, I’m pro-abortion.  Of course, as with all stereotypes, the reality is much more nuanced and there isn’t really a hero and a villain, and the opposite of no growth is not pro sprawl.

One other thing to keep in mind: just because there are no new homes being built doesn’t mean there aren’t new people moving here. They too must be educated and provided the information to be a member of the community. Playing catch-up while you try to acclimate and make new friends isn’t easy. But whether you just finished unpacking boxes or are recognized by everyone in town making errand in town take at least 3 times longer than anywhere else, refreshing your memory about Cambria and Development no longer means reading study after study or attending lengthy meetings. All you have to do is check out AboutCambria.com And if you spot an inaccuracy or error, please contact me. We’ve all got enough rumors and misinformation clouding our ability to decide.

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Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice