About Cambria

A new site popped up recently that may be of interest to you. The content on it SHOULD be of interest to you. UnclogCambria.com tells the story of Cambria development from the point of view of lot owners not on the CCSD wait list. An appeal was set for last Thursday (10/28) and no matter how the judges rule on the appeal, the case is still far from over.
UnclogCambria.com includes all the case filings in a battle that may not end well for the CCSD and will continue to cost Cambrians money that would be better spent elsewhere. If you can wade through some of the more slanted and obnoxious statements about the Coastal Commission, the Cambria Community Services District and the sometimes immature tone, it is an interesting read that will provide some background on the other side of the “preserve our village” coin.
My recommendation: click over to the site and read the couple of brief pages (Home and Case Background) with an open mind and the understanding that there are always more ways to see things than the one we may prefer. The best way to protect ourselves and a vision of Cambria we can support is to get informed, stay involved and keep the conversation going. This will not go away just because it is being ignored.

Community Energy and Cooperation

Cambria is a charming village. Most of us who live here recognize Cambria’s qualities make it an attractive draw for people looking for a slice of paradise.  We value the forest and the secluded nature here.  Greenspace and other land trusts do us all a great service by purchasing undeveloped properties and ensuring they will remain undeveloped. The purchase and preservation of the land now called the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is an overwhelming example of how Cambria can work together and get help from others. To meet the matching funds requirement of the American Land Conservancy,  we pulled together money from special events, individual donations, funds from the County’s parks and recreation development funds (about $250,000) and a dedication of a significant amount of land by Mid-State Bank.  It was a feat that eliminated 783 possible housing units.
Nearly ten years later, the critical parts played by Mid-State Bank, the County, the Preserve’s previous owners and even the magnitude of the financial burden shouldered by the American Land Conservancy all seem marginalized. It couldn’t have been accomplished without collaboration and cooperation. To thrive, we need leaders, partners and supporters from our local community, but also from the larger communities of the County, the State, the Nation and the planet.
This seems to be a lesson not learned. One of the best things about living in a small town a sense of mutual respect for others and personal responsibility that comes from nearly everyone knowing everyone else. There are no anonymous actions, since no one is a stranger. But the flip side of this heightened sense of accountability and community can be a heightened distrust of “the other” and of change. We can become urgently protective of our community, shutting out others in ways that damage precisely what we mean to protect.

How the CCSD is Protecting Our Village Atmosphere

One of the primary responsibilities of the  Cambria Community Services District is to ensure a reliable water source.  One of the side effects of the District’s policies in recent years has been to slow our growth to a near standstill. The CCSD board declared a code 350 water emergency on November 15, 2001, citing the fear that there may not be enough water to provide for fire protection and generous water use by current customers. This declaration grants the district broad powers to enact ordinances regarding water use and to declare a moratorium on new water connections until the situation is resolved. The Board set a cap of 4,650 water connections in July 2003 to address the concerns that a reliable source of water would cause an explosion in population. In November 2006, a District-sponsored measure to limit the urban services line passed with a large margin. Since its passage, any requests for water provided to development outside the current area served by CCSD must be approved by the voters of Cambria.

How the County is Protecting Our Village Atmosphere

There seems to be a lingering impression that protecting our village atmosphere isn’t a priority for the County. The County is the authority for land use policies, ordinances and permitting in Cambria and the rest of unincorporated San Luis Obispo County. They are legally responsible for creating and implementing policies to guide long-range community planning. The CCSD has a responsibility to manage the water resources and ensure a reliable supply for the population within the service area. The two responsibilities (land use and water) are inextricably linked, yet reside with two different independent agencies with elected Boards of directors.
This is understandable, since the 1988 North Coast Area Plan (NCAP) set the residential absorption capacity  of Cambria at 17,471 and a 2000 update of the NCAP (never adopted or certified by the Coastal Commission) noted 11,701 Single Family Residences at total build-out for Cambria.  Add this to the fact that just over half of all the homes in Cambria by 2000 had been built since 1980, and its easier to understand why there seemed no end to the growth explosion. ¹ The reality is that the current NCAP, adopted by the Board of Supervisors and certified by the Coastal Commission in November 2007  states that “if the Plan is never updated, the theoretical build-out is 6,130″ residences.

County and CCSD Facing the Same Direction

Since the declaration of the water code 350 emergency and moratorium, the County has incorporated additional control of growth into the policies and ordinances that apply to development in Cambria. Specifically, in 2002 the Board of Supervisors amended the Growth Management Ordinance (which is part of the LCP and must be approved by the Coastal Commission) to limit the number of new dwelling units to 1%  of the current number of houses each fiscal year.   Then in 2006, they amended it again to reduce the number of permits for new dwellings to 0% through June 2009. In May 2009, they extended the 0% allocation through June 2012.

The County has legislated Cambria some breathing room, almost 3 more years to get our additional water  project permitted and underway before it will consider issuing permits for new residences. Perhaps this is an opportunity for the CCSD Board to re-evaluate the water code 350 declaration, moratorium and its buildout cap. These policies (the Water Master Plan) is affecting more than just those with undeveloped property, on the list or not. The moratorium is likely at least partly responsible for the sharp increase in home values during the first few years of the century as well as for the softer blow Cambria’s home values took recently.

Cambria Will Grow Slowly and Stay Small

As the moratorium continues to drag on, defending the policy choices the CCSD has made will get more difficult (and expensive.) There is a tipping point beyond which control of Cambria and its size will be completely out of our hands. We have had a tenuous grasp on it anyway, since it is the County (and to no small extent, the Coastal Commission) who makes policy and decisions regarding land use and planning.

I think the issue of containing unbridled and unsustainable growth is a red herring. The work of earlier CCSD Boards definitely made its point to the County and are reflected in its policies and ordinances. Efforts like the acquisition of the Fiscalini Ranch (which retired 783 potential units) and lot mergers (352 lots reduced as of June 2009), retirements and conservation easements  are also making a real difference total number of homes that will eventually be built here.

It is now time for the District to step out of the way (or duck) and let go of its need to control  land use. If the County goes forward as expected (changing course isn’t one of government’s strong points), up to 39 permits will be issued between July 2012 – June 2013 to applicants with letters of intent to serve from the CCSD. If all permits allocated are used every year, it will be 2029 before the last wait list position gets their permit. Of course, the permitting process is a bit more complex, but current County ordinances will limit the pace of new growth. Making changes to those ordinances is a lengthy and expensive process and all amendments must be certified by the Coastal Commission before going into effect.

¹[1,206 homes were built in Cambria between 1980 and 1989  and another 815 between 1990 and March of 2000. There were 197 single family units and 4 multi-family units produced between 2001 and June 30, 2008. Today, there are 3,936 housing units in Cambria. Housing data sources: 2006 North Coast Area Plan 2006 Draft, County Housing Element Draft 2009 and US Census data. ]

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.
A building history of Cambria:

• Cambria adds up to 125 new homes annually through the 1980s. (The 125 max is a condition of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.)
• County implements a Growth Management Plan  that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 2.3% annually. CCSD closes the “water wait list” that was begun to keep track of  requests for service beyond the 125 limit
• Determination: Not enough water for all potential homes. (over 11,000 in 1988 County Plan)
• Work on getting additional water
• Desalination chosen, plant designed and permitted (c. 1996)
• Pro-desal Board voted out of office  (Nov. 1996)
• Determination: Not enough water for all potential homes
• County amends Growth Management Plan  in Cambria that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 1% annually (1998)
• Declare emergency (water code 350)  Stops issuing “letters of intent to serve”(late 2001)
• County amends Growth Management Plan  in Cambria that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 0% annually (2003-2012)
• Work on getting additional water
• Choose to get water from desal

And Cambria’s building future:

• Desal plant built
• New homes built
• Cambria runs out of buildable lots

Democracy is a participatory, ongoing  project. David Suzuki, scientist and envronmental activist recently said he thinks the greatest threat to the health of our planet is citizen complaisency. His line of reasoing went like this: When “ordinary” citizens aren’t involved, aren’t pressuring the policy makers to make sustainable policies they leave room for the special interest groups and the agenda’s they are pushing. , whose interest isn’t in the well-being of all, but in pushing their own narrow agenda. Nurturing a thriving and sustainable community is  a collaborative adventure between the people, the elected leaders and staff of the government agencies. Most public meetings are not very well attended. When the general public is in attendance, its usually because the board is considering a controversial decision or will impact people financially. There are a small number of very vocal, opinionated folks who always seem to be kicking up dust.
Whether you agree or disagree with their positions, means and the ends they are going for, there are advantages and disadvantages to their involvement.  Those who are not involved fall into 3 basic categories: those who justify/rationalize their complaisant or passive attitudes toward participation in government; those who were involved, but gave up trying to engage in the process in a meaningful way because of  frustration or emotional beatings; and those who are uninformed and/or unaware and so don’t participate.

If you’re reading this, you probably are already involved and keeping current with the issues I write about.  The next time the CCSD comes up in conversation, do us all a favor and ask your companion whether or not they’ve seen or heard of this website. If they haven’t, steer them to the site  for updated information and discussion.  (along with www.cambriacsd.org).In fact, send a link to at least 2 Cambrians on your email list with a link to an article you find interesting. Or copy and paste one of the links below into an email.

• Historical Water Use in Cambria

• May 2009 Update of MTBE threat to Santa Rosa Creek

• Cambria Healthcare District Employees agree to Salary Freezes

• Read about our Desal Project in an Industry Journal

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.

Despite the fact that water supplies are undeniably constrained and climate change is likely to constrain them even more, there is more than enough water to go around — and that includes enough water to maintain the environmental and biological integrity of our rivers, streams, estuaries and wetlands.

In November 2004, the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) published “An Investment Strategy for California Water”. This publication (available online at PCL.org) concluded that new demands for water associated with California’s projected growth could not only be met, but could be met economically and without damaging California’s environment. The following year, the state Department of Water Resources essentially confirmed PCL’s findings in The California Water Plan Update 2005, Bulletin 160-05.

More recently, Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute has argued what we have is a water management problem, not a water shortage problem. If we were to manage our water use more efficiently, our limited resource could provide for more people. It means we need to change the “me” paradigm into a “we” paradigm. We need to make some fundamental changes in our behavior and our assumptions.

Here’s two important questions for everyone: How much are you and your 4,000 neighbors willing to pay for water without restriction? The current plan approved by the Board Is the plan to limit the number of connections a defensible  policy? Before you respond, just think about this: 4,650 customer are using water without restriction, but every other  lot owner inside the CCSD’s service area is out of luck because they aren’t on a list that was closed in 1990 and ceased producing new connections in 2001. You and I can waste all the water we can pay for while hundreds of others are denied service. Please help me see how this isn’t going to present a problem.

There are essentially three classes of Cambria property owners: those who have homes on their property, those who own property that is included on the “Waiting List” for future water connections, and those who own undeveloped property not on the CCSD Wait List.  There are property owners in the latter two classes who are interested in building homes on that property to live in. As a result of the CCSD Board’s determination that Cambria’s existing water demand equals or exceeds the dependable supply and declaration of a “water emergency”,  owners with undeveloped property are not able to build here.

The CCSD currently serves water to 3,926 developed properties and sewer to 3,816 properties¹. There are approximately 666 single family residential properties on the CCSD’s waiting list.² There are 35 multi-family residential properties on the list.   The waiting list was “closed” in 1990, when the County adopted a Growth Management Ordinance. According to the research in the Buildout Reduction Report and the data on lot mergers to date, a conservative estimate is that there will be 1,502 potentially buildable, legally zoned residential lots that would be left over inside the CCSD service area when the CCSD has said they would stop issuing connections (4,650 residential).  If the undeveloped lots in Special Projects Areas 1 and 2 are included, the number goes up to 2,418. It is unknown how many property owners that own legal lots will be excluded from building.

The CCSD does not have authority over Land Use, that is the responsibility of the County and the California Coastal Commission. But its the CCSD that has essentially controlled development by not issuing “Intent to Serve” letters. This seemed like the CCSD was acting outside its authority with no objections from the County or the Coastal Commission. I am in favor of local control over community planning, but since we are not incorporated, the County is responsible for land use planning and permitting (authorized by the Coastal Commission’s approval of the Local Coastal Plan in December 2007).

To get a better understanding of the situation, in February, I sent an email to the County with some questions about growth in Cambria and a “county waiting list” I had heard about. Jim Hofschoer of SLO County Planning provided some useful information.

The CCSD is under a declared “water emergency”, which allows them broad powers to prevent new building, etc. from worsening the water availability. The County has not adopted an building moratorium, instead letting the CCSD implement the appropriate measures.
To give the CCSD control over who builds and when, we developed the following regulation in the North Coast Plan:
” 8. Cambria Community Services District Review. Prior to application acceptance, land use and building permit applications shall include a written verification of water and sewer service from the Cambria Community Services District. A water and sewer service
condition compliance letter from the Cambria Community Services District shall be provided to the Department of Planning and Building prior to final building inspection.” (NCAP p 7-31)

On October 23, 1990 (Ordinance No. 2477) San Luis Obispo County adopted a Growth Management Ordinance (GMO), Title 26 of the San Luis Obispo County Code. Subsequently, an allocation waiting list for the community of Cambria was initiated in accordance with the GMO. Customers fill out an allocation request form and pay an application fee to get on the allocation waiting list. The list is prioritized by the date and time the customer applies for an allocation (i.e., #1 on the waiting list is the “oldest” request on file).

Prior to the adoption of the Growth Management Ordinance, the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) kept a list of customers that wanted to build residences in Cambria. This list is solely managed and administered through CCSD, not the County Planning and Building Department. After the GMO was adopted the “next” customer that wanted to get on the CCSD waiting list was directed to the County to get on the allocation waiting list per the newly adopted GMO. The County’s allocation waiting list does not include those customers on the CCSD list. All of the customers on the CCSD list submitted an application to CCSD prior to the first customer that applied to get on the County’s allocation waiting list. Once the CCSD list is exhausted then the next customer in line would be #1 on the County allocation waiting list.

Currently the County has 343 single family allocations, and 9 Multi-Family and residential unit ownership project allocations (49
dwelling units) on a Cambria allocation waiting list.

Based upon guidance provided to date by the Board of Supervisors (adopted ordinances), the Cambria allocation waiting list is valid and will remain so until such time as the Board of Supervisors directs planning staff otherwise.

On May 23, 2006 the Board of Supervisors  adopted changes to the GMO (Ordinance No. 3091) that became effective on July 1, 2006. The Cambria growth rate has been set at 0% for the period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 and the County Planning and Building Department cannot accept general allocation applications during this period. The Department can only accept allocation applications with a building permit submittal that are accompanied by an intent-to-serve letter from the Cambria Community Services District for replacements, transfers and grandfathered water meters.

Next Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors’ agenda includes an amendment to the GMO mentioned above that would extend the 0% growth rate through June 30, 2012.  This ordinance is additional support for our current No Growth atmosphere. And yet another blow to those who would like to build a home here.

I don’t support unchecked growth, but neither do the County or the Coastal Commission. Prior to 2006, the County had a policy of allocating 1% of the total current dwelling units in Cambria as permits for new dwellings. Since June 2006 they have allocated 0%.   Once the CCSD resumes issuing Intent to Serve letters, the County plans to set growth at 1%. The rest of the county (with a couple exceptions that are at 1%) is at 2.3%. Runaway growth just isn’t possible. And if the County suddenly does an about face on its policies, I find it highly unlikely that the Coastal Commission would allow uncontrolled growth.

I think we would have to be crazy to think those property owners are just going to hand over their property for a pittance or continue to have patience indefinitely, waiting for the day when we’ve declared the water emergency over. It almost seems like the CCSD is doing what it can to make it more attractive to sell than to wait.

Here’s some food for thought: if the 1% growth was resumed in 2012, in 10 years (2019) there will be 4277 dwellings (if that many people apply for building permits.) It will be 2027 before permit number 4,650 is issued.  In 2027, we’ll be gearing up for the fifth presidential election since Obama’s election last year, Nicole Kidman will be 60 and kids born today will be halfway through high school. That’s not forever, but it is an awfully long time before anyone NOT on the list could even apply to build. It would be 25 years before the buildout number the county estimates (6,130) would be reached.

¹”Parcel Count Information for Proposed Rate Increase” CCSD, April 30, 2009

²”Peliminary Draft of the Buildout Reduction Program” CCSD, October 2005

The Eye of the Hurricane?  Still waters run deep? Or perhaps you’ve been enjoying the pieces and bits of  quiet over the last few weeks. Take a deep breath and read on, if you dare. I don’t often wax poetic or indulge in this kind of personal post. If that’s not your thing, you have been warned. And you are still welcome to stick around anyway! More than one person seems to have noticed I’ve not been writing as much over the last 5 weeks. So here’s the 411 on my whereabouts and various brief sightings mostly sans the fuchsia locks.  I miss delving into the fun of the community and the challenge of making this site About Cambria:  our entertainment and our issues. It’s hard to tell one from the other sometimes. There is almost always something happening in our little town: not a day can pass without at least one meeting, celebration, gathering, or club function to attend/support/ignore.

I think I’ve been missing the spark and energy of what happens when more than two Cambrians start talking or playing. Most days on the Google-based AboutCambria.com calendar are packed with many calls to assemble and share with our friends and frenemies some of our time and energy (insert image of horrified teachers here: rolling their eyes or in their graves….)

I haven’t been off at some writer’s workshop and I haven’t been purposely ignoring Cambria. I’ve been working my tail off for the 2010 US Census for the past 5 weeks.I’ve managed to squeeze in the time for a few meetings, but not much more than that.  I’d be violating a very strict federal confidentiality law (Title 13) to write much about what I’ve been doing too specifically, but I have been enjoying the challenge (and extra funding) this temporary job brought into my life.

My position will be winding down over the next 2 or 3 weeks and AboutCambria.com will spring back into a more active life and I will be buzzing about town again very soon. If you have any ideas or events you’d like to share with the growing audience of AboutCambria.com, it’s very easy to join in. I encourage you to do so by joining as an associate member (click “register” down near the bottom of the right hand column), posting something for sale in the free classifieds or adding an announcement or a conversation starter in the forum. Of course, you are always invited to share your information and views by submitting a post for all to read and/or comment on. AboutCambria.com is still a place for the community to gather and share what they know and what they think. Posts have been infrequent of late, but I will be back in the saddle as Web Maven before the groans of “mixed metaphor” completely fade from our hearing.

Teaser: My next entry will be more along the lines of the old “Choose Your Own Adventure” book series from the 70s – with a simple word change from “adventure” to “cliche”.

“People of Earth, your attention please,” a voice said, and it was wonderful. Wonderful perfect quadraphonic sound with distortion levels so low as to make a brave man weep.

“This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council,” the voice continued. “As you will no doubt be aware, the plans for development of the outlying regions of the Galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is one of those scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your Earth minutes. Thank you.”

The PA died away.
Uncomprehending terror settled on the watching people of Earth. The terror moved slowly through the gathered crowds as if they were iron filing on a sheet of board and a magnet was moving beneath them. Panic sprouted again, desperate fleeing panic, but there was nowhere to flee to.

Observing this, the Vogons turned on their PA again. It said:

“There’s no point acting all surprised about it. All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display in your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for fifty of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge any formal complaint and it’s far too late to start making a fuss about it now.”

The PA fell silent again and its echo drifted off across the land. The huge ship turned slowly in the sky with easy power. On the underside of each a hatchway opened, an empty black square.

By this time somebody somewhere must have manned a radio transmitter, located a wavelength and broadcast a message back to the Vogon ships, to plead on behalf of the planet. Nobody ever heard what they said, they only heard the reply. The PA slammed back into life again. The voice was annoyed. It said:

“What do you mean you’ve never been to Alpha Centauri? For heaven’s sake mankind, it’s only four light years away you know. I’m sorry, but if you can’t be bothered to take an interest in local affairs that’s your own lookout.”

“Energize the demolition beams.”

Light poured out of the hatchways.

“I don’t know” said the voice on the PA, “apathetic bloody planet, I’ve no sympathy at all.” It cut off.

There was a terrible ghastly silence.
There was a terrible ghastly noise.
There was a terrible ghastly silence.

The Vogon Constructor Fleet coasted away into the inky starry void.

- Douglas Adams, The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy

[ download PDF version ]

Futuristic, barbaric, funny and starkly close to the modern day planning process. Every new project,  county ordinance or state policy can seem like a Vogon demolition order. It may be our elected representatives who write and ratify legislation but democracy doesn’t stop after the election. Every time wonderful new regulations are announced, why is it that great swathes of the electorate blink, pinch themselves and then wonder what the hell possessed “the Vogons” to think up of such ridiculous ideas – don’t they realize what the consequences will be? Representatives need open channels of communication to continue being representative after election, otherwise they might as well be on Alpha Centauri.

One of those “open channels” in Cambria is the North Coast Advisory Council. The NCAC (and other advisory councils like it in other communities) was created by the County Board of Supervisors, whose vision was to provide a way to get the input of various community interests and citizens about decisions they make that affect our community. It is a group of people, elected and appointed, who volunteer and serve in an advisory capacity on issues  at the county level.  (For the entire proclamation creating the councils, the NCAC bylaws and other information, visit the website at www.northcoastadvisorycouncil.org)

Members of the council are elected by their neighbors. Cambria is divided into seven neighborhoods or “Geographical Voting Areas” and San Simeon is represented by its own GVA. Residents vote for their own neighborhood’s representative. So, for example, I vote for who represents my Lodge Hill neighborhood, but not for representives from Park Hill or San Simeon. Elections are held the first Tuesday in May – even-numbered GVAs in even years and (surprisingly) odd-numbered GVAs in odd years. In addition, four members are appointed to serve the following interests: Hispanic, Business, Ag and Environmental. Check the map to see which are you live in. If you live in 1, 3, 5, or 7, visit the NCAC website for details on how to become a candidate.

The NCAC reviews projects, proposed ordinances, road/public works projects  that the county sends for our review. We look whatever it is over (sometimes in committee first), discuss with our friends and neighbors and at the monthly meeting and send our comments back to the county. The Council is currently reviewing the Conservation and Open Space Element of the County’s General Plan and will soon be reviewing revised policies concerning growth management, strategic growth and low impact development.

Democracy is a process and not solely the act of electing some people every couple of years. Many people aren’t able or arent interested in attending  public meetings on a regular basis, but many do try to catch part when they are broadcast on TV. AboutCambria.com strives to share the happenings of many of these meetings. The Cambrian prints details of meeting times, places and agendas, as well. There are many ways to be involved and informed. It doesn’t take much time or energy to be a part of your community and your participation ensures better leaders and a stronger community.

*Note: Amanda Rice was elected to the NCAC as representative for GVA 8 in 2006 and currently serves as Chairperson. The views presented here on AboutCambria.com are not necessarily those of the North Coast Advisory Council members or the council as a whole.

This happened in 1996 at the first meeting of the newly elected Board. It was a standing room only audience at the Vets hall. It was pretty well known around town what was about to happen. Very contentious meeting. There was no reason given but it was well known that he was the “engineer” who took us through the long and expensive design and permitting of the proposed Desalination plant. I don’t think there was a golden parachute for him, he was just fired, period. He was the kindest, most respected and intelligent Manager this town has ever had. The next major action the new Board took was to kill the desal plan, period. And the no growthers won another round. And we still don’t have a drop more water than we had when I moved here 30 years ago. BUT we do have a building moratorium which I am sure makes for a lot of happy no growthers.

At the August 21, 2008 CCSD meeting, Director Peter Chaldecott and General Manager Tammy Rudock presented a 10 minute history lesson of water issues in Cambria since the mid-nineteenth century. There is a downloadable version of the history at cambriacsd.org. Here is the excerpt of the meeting: