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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08051986 - 2.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on August 5 , 1986 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson, Powers NOES: Supervisor Schroder ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Growth Management and Transportation The Board received a report dated July 29 , 1986 from Supervisor Tom Powers on growth management and transportation, setting forth 5. recommendations that would establish and/or reaffirm policy relative to the conversion of open space and agricultural lands for development, including considerations for transportation and employment, pending completion of the County-wide General Plan update. A copy of that report is attached and included as a part of this document. The Board also received a report dated August 5 , 1986 from Harvey Bragdon, Director of Community Development, responding to a request from the People for Open Space, recommending policies rela- tive to annexation procedures for the unincorporated areas within cities' spheres of influence as well as outside cities' spheres of influence. A copy of Mr. Bragdon' s report is also attached and included as a part of this document. Chairman Powers noted that several persons desired to speak on the policies and therefore invited these individuals to present their testimony. Jack Roddy, East County landowner, commented on the current financial crisis the County' s ranchers are experiencing and stressed the landowners' need to retain the right to use their land as collateral. Jeff Wiedemann, representing the Contra Costa-Alameda Cattlemens Association, expressed his organization' s interest in the General Plan update and the potential impact on their land. Constance Brady, an archictect representing two projects in Bethel Island, inquired as to what effect the policy on new water sytems would have on already approved projects. Howard Higgins, East County landowner, commented on the possible conflict in viewpoints of the People for Open Space and the ranchers and proposed that communication between these two groups take place to resolve some of these differences. Rose Pierce, East County landowner, commented on the ranchers' investment in their land and expressed her belief in their right to determine the use of their land. Robin Paulsen, environmentalist, commented on the need for open space areas and urged the Board to insure that development is controlled. Kent Fickett, representing Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, expressed his support of the recommended policy statements. Mark Evanoff, San Francisco, representing People for Open Space, expressed his support of the recommended policy statements. Charles Pringle, East County resident, expressed his con- cern about the landowners' possible loss of property rights in the event a mandatory open space element is enforced. 1 1 TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Harvey E. Bragdon C ltra Director of Community Development qy Costa DATE: August 5, 1986 C ourty SUBJECT Letter from People for Open Space dated June 6, 1986 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION In response to the attached letter from People for Open Space et al , staff recommends the adoption of the following: 1. LAFCO The Board of Supervisors should recommend that LAFCO adopt interim annexation policies pending adoption of County Comprehensive General Plan; a. It is the intent that the County will not make an application regarding a special district annexation or revision to a sphere of influence: (1) where such actions will lead to the development of land currently identified as open space in either the county or a city open space element; or (2) that would include lands receiving water from either the Byron Bethany Irrigation District or the East Contra Costa Irrigation District. b. Any county requested annexation or revision of a sphere proposal shall be accompanied by a completed plan for the delivery of urban services. The plan shall demonstrate the availability of and shall identify the methods for delivery of the full range of urban services required by the proposed annexation, and shall include official letters from the agencies responsible for supplying each urban service signifying their intent to provide those services to. the proposed development. 2. COUNTY The Board of Supervisors should adopt the following interim policies: a. All applications for General Plan change in unincorporated lands outside of city sphere of. influence and sewer district service areas shall be listed on the Board of Supervisors agenda before processing. If the Board determines that there is a threat to add significant development, the Board will . consider a moratorium. b. Approval of developments inside a city sphere of influence shall be referred to the city for advice and recommendation. c. No approvals of new community water districts or systems except in public health emergency; and d. Any proposed amendment to the current open space element of the County General Plan to be submitted to the Citizens Genera/ Plan Review Committee for their recommendation, prior to Board action. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT. __. YES SIGNATURE: WOE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOM N A ION F BO D COMMITTEE PPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE S ACTION OF BOARD O APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS REBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND RECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENT D ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVI ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR. C OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COU DMINISTRATOR M382/7-83 BY ,DE TY John Ginochio, representing the Contra Costa Farm Bureau, concurred with the remarks of Mr. Roddy and Mr. Wiedemann. The following persons did not speak, but presented com- ments for the record in opposition to the open space policy statement: William P. Maggiora, 5238 Myrtle Drive, Concord Roy Carlisle, Rt. 2, Box 261 , Brentwood Mary Carlisle, Rt . 2, Box 261 , Brentwood Phil Hansen, Rt. 1 , Box -167H, Br.entwood Barbara Hansen, Rt. 1 , Box 167H, Brentwood Board members considered the concerns expressed by the speakers. Supervisor Tom Torlakson expressed support for the policy statements being submitted, particularly since they set forth policies as to how applications for zoning and land use permits would be handled. He emphasized that these policies do not propose a mora- torium nor a feeze, but would provide some coordination to insure that the applications would be compatible with the changes, if any, under consideration for the updating of the County General Plan. Supervisor Torlakson recommended that wording be included in the policy statements as follows: "It is not the intent of the Board of Supervisors to preclude applications for subdivisions which are con- forming to the General Plan and zoning. " Supervisor Nancy Fanden empathized with the plight of the farmers; she expressed the need to update the County' s General Plan; and she suggested that all people involved in the General Plan update tour the Eastern section of the County and, meet with the farmers to discuss their concerns. Supervisor Sunne McPeak expressed the hope that the General Plan would provide the vehicle to resolve some of the current concerns expressed by the residents in this County. She advised that she interprets this process to mean that the zoning or General Plan laws currently in effect will continue to be in force pending adop- tion of the updated General Plan. Supervisor Robert Schroder advised that he would not be voting in support of the policy statements because he believed them to relay a false message that the revision of the County General Plan will solve all the problems with infrastructure and transportation. Supervisor Powers advised that by adopting these policies the County is setting the tone to solicit cooperation from all com- munities in this decision making process relative to the General Plan update. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the recommendations as set forth in the reports of Supervisor Powers and Mr. Bragdon are APPROVED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the policy statement as recom- mended by Supervisor Torlakson is APPROVED as follows: "It is not the intent of the Board of Supervisors to preclude applications for subdivisions which are con- forming to the General Plan and .zoning. " cc : Community Development Director County Administrator Ihereby certify that this Isatrue and conectcopy of County Counsel an action taken and entered on the minutes of the CCC Farm Bureau Board of Supervisors on the date shown. CC-Alameda Cattlemens Assn11 ABAG ,ATTESTED: i�J •f 19�� Mayors' Conference PHIL BATCH . oR, Clerk of the Board People for Open Space of Supervisors and County Administrator By Deputy 2 deo le for Open Space 512 Second Street • San Francisco, CA 94107 • (415) 543-4291 j) AA vl. JUN IQ. tjTpr June 6, 1986 198 ' Tom Powers, Chairman Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors " 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94533 Dear Supervisor Powers, and members of the Board: We commend you for your commitment to develop a new County General Plan. In particular, we believe that the Citizens General Plan Review Committee will offer an excellent opportunity for developing a general plan that shows the relationship of municipal plans to the County's policies. We also strongly support the Board's decision to designate a permanent Greenbelt as part of the general plan; this is a crucial element of the plan and can effectively ensure protection of the county's quality of life. In order that this planning process be successful, however, we wish to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt interim policies that will not foreclose options being considered in the general plan revision. There are three steps that we see as being necessary to such an approach: 1. LAF'CO The Board of Supervisors should recommend that LAFCO adopt interim annexation policies as follows: a. No annexations or revisions to spheres of influence shall be approved: (1) where such actions will lead to the development of land currently identified as open space in either the county or a city open space element; or (2) that would include lands receiving water from either the Byron Bethany Irrigation District or the East Contra Costa Irrigation District. b. Any individual annexation proposal shall be accompanied by a completed plan for the delivery of urban services. The plan shall demonstrate the availability of and shall identify the methods for delivery of the full range of urban services required by the proposed annexation, and shall include official- letters from the agencies responsible for supplying each urban service signifying their intent to provide those services to the proposed development. 2. Cities The Board of Supervisors should recommend that cities not revise their general plans to allow for development of any lands currently shown as open space in city general plans, until the new county general plan is adopted. (continued) page two 3. County The Board of Supervisors should adopt the following interim policies: a. A moratorium on the subdivision of land for all those lands not designated for development in the County General Plan; b. No approvals of developments that are inside a city sphere of influence unless consistent with the applicable city general plan and supported by the city; c. No approvals of new community water districts; and d. Any proposed amendment to the current open space element of the County General Plan to be submitted to the Citizens General Plan Review Committee for their recommendation, prior to Board action. We believe that these policies will provide an excellent framework for allowing the wide-ranging discussion that must take place in the general plan revision process to proceed without the risk of foreclosing opportunities to choose the most effective planning policies to guide the county over the next decade. We appreciate your willingness to consider our recommendations and we respectfully request you respond to them by June 24th, 1986. This timeline will enable you to provide assurances to the General Plan Review Committee that planning options will not be foreclosed during the General Plan Review process. Sincerely, Larry Otman Michele Perrault Michael Gleason Executive Director Director Director People for Open Space Sierra Club Greenbelt Congress n *Ficktt Richard VrMeer Robert Doyle Director Vice President President = Mt. Diablo Audubon Citizens for Public Save Mt. Diablo Public Interest Planning TO' ' -BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Supervisor Tom Powers Contra Costa DATE; July 29 , 1986 C inky SUBJECT: Growth Management and Transportation SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . Adopt a strong policy against the conversion of open space and agricultural lands to developed lands until the writing of the County General Plan update. 2 . In light of funding limits , ask the Association of Bay Area Governments to form a Regional Jobs/Housing Balance Task Force which would work with Contra Costa and all jurisdictions in the region to develop a jobs/housing balance model to help reduce long term transportation requirements. 3 . Ask the Association of Bay Area Governments to update its Projections 185 in light of current planning policies including the initiatives passed in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Moraga. 4 . Establish a policy that no new projects be approved without assurances that they will not impose an unacceptable burden on the transportation system. 5 . Direct the Community Development Department to compile an analysis of existing jobs/housing balance (or imbalance) by jurisdiction and overall in Contra Costa County based on census data and building permits issued since approximately 1980 . BACKGROUND In an effort to resolve existing and prevent future problems, Contra Costa is planning transportation improvements along with a General Plan process. This approach will allow Contra Costa to grow within an appropriate infrastructure. Thus far, this process has met with success as shown by the countywide General Plan program and the cooperation among local governments. Coupled with these steps has been a responsiveness by local governments to the public' s expressed concern in favor of planned improvements. These developments should be shown to the public and the articulation of our Jobs/Housing Balance Program would enhance the changes for s kind of discussion. i CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE; RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMEND TION OF BOARD COMMITTEE ROVE OTHER SIGNATURE S : ACTION OF BOARD ON _.._ APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HE Y CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE _ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORR COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES. AND ENTERED THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF T OARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINI ATOR M382/7-83 BY ,DEPUTY Work on this program has already taken place. For the past two years, the Planning, Transportation, Growth and Development Committee, with the Community Development Department as staff, has worked closely with the Bay Area Council and the Association of Bay Area Governments in order to refine this concept into a formula or factor. While this work continues to move forward, it should be coordinated with the countywide General Plan Committee. Many of the concerns over infrastructure, including the issue of transportation systems, are region wide. As the Association of Bay Area Governments has been working on the issue of a jobs/housing balance, it is important that they assist in the organization of a Jobs/Housing Balance Program which can be used both in Contra Costa specifically and in the region generally. It is vital that we design a task force which will produce a formula which can be used by all of us. Utilization of the resources of our Community Development Department, the Bay Area Council and the Association of Bay Area Governments can make this goal a reality.