Measure H-14: Alter Development Standards for Planning Area R

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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

San Luis Obispo County, CA

November 4, 2014 Election

Measure H-14
Alter Development Standards for Planning Area R
City of Pismo Beach
55% Approval Required

Pass: 1607 / 65.70% Yes votes ...... 839 / 34.30% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 4 11:17pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (5/5)
49.6% Voter Turnout (2615/5276)

Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

If approved by the voters, Measure H-14, entitled "An Initiative of the People of the City of Pismo Beach Amending the City's General Plan to Alter Development Standards Within the City's Sphere of Influence in Planning Area R and Other Specified Areas", will alter existing development standards for properties within the City of Pismo Beach General Plan's Planning Area R, and in other areas of the City's sphere of influence outside Planning Area R. Under the current General Plan, Planning Area R consists of three properties in Price Canyon, a total of about 890 acres. The initiative adds another 250 acre parcel to Planning Area R.

A YES vote on this measure means:: A YES vote approves the measure.
A NO vote on this measure means:: A NO vote rejects the measure

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney, City of Pismo Beach

If approved by the voters, Measure H-14, entitled "An Imitiative of the People of the City of Pismo Beach Amending the City's General Plan to Alter Developmenat Standards Within the City's Sphere of Influence in Planning Area R and Other Specified Areas," will alter existing development standards for properties within the City of Pismo Beach General Plan's Planning Area R, and in other areas of the City's sphere of influence outside Planning Area R. Under the current General Plan, Planning Area R consists of three properties in Price Canyon, a total of about 890 acres. The initiative adds another 250 acre parcel to Planning Area R.

The initiative adds a watershed and resource management (WRM) land use designation to the General Plan. The minimum size for WRM-designated parcels will be 40 acres. Uses permitted on WRM-designated parcels without a conditional use permit are limited to dry farming, dry farming vineyards, grazing, animal raising and keeping, storage of farm equipment and supplies, agricultural accessory structures and limited residential structures. Uses permitted with a conditional use permit are limited to farm stands, parks, trails, public buildings, and schools. No other uses will be allowed. These limitations will apply only when land in Planning Area R is annexed into the City.

The initiative eliminates an existing proposed "inland arterial" road in Planning Area R and elsewhere outside Planning Area R, as well as proposed arterial road connections.

The initiative requires all future City annexations to prove sustained, demonstrated new long term water sources sufficient for planned development. The initiative alters existing General Plan provisions that no rare or endangered species other than steelhead trout have been observed in Pismo Creek's existing riparian habitat, adding that Pismo Creek also provides habitat for the California red-legged frog. The initiative removes the existing requirement that developers within Planning Area R dedicate a portion of their properties, or install trail improvements, for a public pathway along Pismo Creek.

The initiative prohibits amendment or repeal of its primary General Plan amendments without a public vote for 30 years. The initiative allows the City to waive WRM development standards and/or amend the General Plan without a public vote under specified conditions where the development standards constitute an unconstitutional taking of a landowner's property. The initiative makes specified General Plan amendments to provide internal consistency within the General Plan and to comply with state housing laws. These amendments could be amended by the City Council without a vote of the people provided the changes do not conflict with the primary amendments set forth in Section II of the initiative.

This measure is being placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters.

A YES vote approves the measure.

A NO vote rejects the measure

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure H-14. If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the elections official's office at (805) 773-7003 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

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Arguments For Measure H-14 Arguments Against Measure H-14

Your YES vote on Measure H-14 Insures:

That the Price Canyon/Planning area "R" area remains intact and any large development with significant impacts to our air, traffic, water and quality of life must be decided by the registered voters of Pismo Beach.

Only Pismo Beach voters can decide on large developments in Price Canyon or Planning Area "R". Measure H-14 expires in thirty (30) years and can be changed at any time by a vote of the registered voters of Pismo Beach.

The City Council maintains authority to approve schools, trails, roads, farming, parks and wastewater treatment plants.

Existing city water supplies will be reserved for current residents.

That no future revenue will be lost by measure H-14 which confirms an analysis done by the city.

Property owners can ask to be annexed into the city but must follow the General Plan policies of Measure H-14 which are consistent with county standards.

There is no infringement on private property rights of parcels which are outside of the city limits. Property owners are free to develop within the county.

Protection of existing watershed and groundwater assets essential to our standard of living.

THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE VOTE YES on MEASURE H-14
s/ Sheila Blake, Proponent

Rebuttal to Arguments For
Arguments supporting Measure H-14 mislead Pismo Beach voters in significant ways.

H-14 discourages Pismo Beach control of Price Canyon by so severely restricting agricultural, recreational and residential uses.

H-14 encourages development that could be approved by the County with NO APPROVAL RIGHTS BY CITY COUNCIL OR PISMO BEACH VOTERS.

H-14 describes certain types of development that can - and in some cases must - be approved.

H-14 does NOT protect any groundwater used by, or essential to, Pismo Beach residents.

H-14 makes it nearly impossible to proceed with plans to recycle wastewater and achieve over 1 million gallons of `new' water daily.

H-14 claims that no future revenues will be lost by Pismo Beach. City analysis states that H-14 may "result in lost revenue opportunities", not the least of which include local jobs, taxes, fees, infrastructure contributions and hotel taxes.

Proponent's argument IS NEGATIVE and TRUSTS COUNTY TO DO BETTER.
H-14 was written without public participation and input.
H-14 demonstrates distrust of the orderly planning process, including shaping our General Plan through workshops and public hearings.
H-14 will force Pismo Beach to spend tax dollars to serve county developments under mutual aid agreements. It ignores, even blocks, plans for Creek Trails, Price Park expansion and recycled water to combat drought conditions.
The ONLY TRUE point made in the argument in favor of Measure H-14 is that "Property owners are free to develop in the County."
PLEASE RETAIN LOCAL CONTROL. VOTE NO ON MEASURE H-14.
s/ Theodore W. Ehring, Resident
s/ Steven Puglisi, Resident
s/ Kathleen J. Foster, Resident
s/ Arlene Gonzales-Gee, Resident
s/ Rudolph R. Natoli, Resident
MEASURE H-14 IS POORLY DRAFTED WITHOUT PUBLIC OR STAKEHOLDERS INPUT AND WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES HARMFUL TO PISMO BEACH. READ THE IMPARTIAL CITY ATTORNEY ANALYSIS.
Measure H-14 could allow High Density affordable housing near existing single family neighborhoods. Large schools and public facilities too! WHAT WERE THE PROPONENTS THINKING?
MEASURE H-14 WOULD MAKE IT HARDER IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PISMO BEACH TO:

Upgrade our Wastewater Treatment Plant to create recycled water and protect against drought

Complete regional hiking/biking trails along Pismo Creek

Expand the Price House Historic Park

Generate Millions in economic development from hotel revenues and taxes

MEASURE H-14 WILL ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT IN PRICE CANYON UNDER MORE PERMISSIVE COUNTY RULES.
Do you want to see scattered development without infrastructure on the hillsides with no obligation for trails, parks and open space?
More county-approved oil wells all along Price Canyon Road?
MEASURE H-14 WILL HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR TAXES AND QUALITY OF LIFE
County development will generate fees for the county but Pismo Beach will have to spend our tax dollars to provide fire, police and medical response services under mutual aid agreements!
County traffic will impact City streets but not pay one dime to mitigate impacts. We will suffer the consequences!
IF PISMO BEACH CONTROLS THE PLANNING PROCESS, WE CAN REQUIRE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, PARKS, TRAILS, POSITIVE FISCAL EFFECTS, TRAFFIC MITIGATION AND NEW WATER!
MEASURE H-14 CLAIMS TO PROTECT THE CITY'S GROUNDWATER SUPPLY THROUGH "WATERSHED PROTECTION." THIS IS FALSE!
Price Canyon sits above entirely different groundwater basins that have effectively nothing to do with the City's drinking water supplies.
PISMO BEACH IS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT RESPECTS PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. MEASURE H-14 DOES NOT!
LET'S PROMOTE PISMO BEACH - NOT SLO COUNTY - CONTROL OF PRICE CANYON!
PLEASE JOIN US. VOTE NO ON MEASURE H-14.
s/ James C. Buttery, Resident s/ Rudolph R. Natoli, Resident
s/ Henry A. Hyman (Tony), Resident s/ Theodore W. Ehring, Resident
s/ John Sorgenfrei, Resident

Rebuttal to Arguments Against

Opponents of Measure H-14 want a free rein to develop Price Canyon as they see fit, using your neighborhood, your water, your tax-dollars.

Measure H-14 simply ensures that the future of Price Canyon remains with the people most affected + THE CITIZENS AND THE TAXPAYERS.

Private property rights and zoning in the county remain unchanged.

Measure H-14 means protecting our water supply and controlling mass urbanization. Do you want more traffic?

Measure H-14 is a citizen-generated initiative placed on the ballot by the City Council. The City Council retains authority over most decisions including:

Upgrading our wastewater treatment plant
Completing any and all hiking and biking trails
Expanding the Price Historical Park
Generating Millions in Economic Development from hotel revenues and taxes
Roadway designation, including an Inland Arterial if necessary
The residents of Pismo Beach deserve a voice in the future of Price Canyon and our quality of life!
VOTE YES ON MEASURE H-14.
s/ Sheila Blake, Proponent

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Created: July 23, 2015 14:58 PDT
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