More Mesa: In Whose Hands?
[ Excerpt from SBN-P article on 5/11/2006 by Barney McManigal ]
Future of More Mesa becomes a central theme in campaign
More Mesa, the sprawling 300-acre coastal property next to Hope Ranch, has emerged as a silent player in the heated 2nd District Supervisor's race, holding a prominent position in the four candidates' campaign statements, rallies and advertising.
Popular with strolling soccer moms, naturalists and nude beach enthusiasts, privately owned More Mesa has become a lofty symbol in a campaign where contenders all pledge to protect the environment and open spaces.
But the blufftop area zoned for several dozen homes faces an uncertain future...
Originally zoned for hundreds of homes, county planners now say More Mesa can hold about 70, tucked into 40 acres along the property's northeast corner. While owner J. Earl Holding has not proposed any specific project recently, residents say it is only a matter of time.
"There's a potential for a lot of development," said Valerie Olson, president of the More Mesa Preservation Coalition, a group of local residents and supporters formed in 2000 to combat recurring development proposals...
"People talk a lot about protecting the environment and open space," said Ms. Olson, a retired engineer. "We really want to know what they're [the candidates for the 2nd district] going to do. How are they going to help the community protect this incredible resource?"
... While the county owns 35 acres near a creek on the parcel's north end, Mr. Holdings, a Utah-based businessman who also owns an oil company, holds the remaining 266 acres.
The county has designated close to 200 acres as an environmentally sensitive habitat -- a category that would protect it from development under state law.
But the 40-acre slice next to Hope Ranch could take up to 70 homes. Ms. Olson and colleagues, who carefully monitor the county's pipeline of proposed projects, would like to see More Mesa purchased by the community.
But Mr. Holding will not negotiate with them, they say.
"They're just not interested in talking to us," said Ms. Olson, who speculates that the owner wants to get the legal designation lifted on the entire 266 acres...
Most of the candidates say they support purchasing the property, but concede the difficulty of collecting the needed funds. Other strategies include placing further constraints on the 40 acres, but the three North County conservatives who control the Board of Supervisors would likely oppose such a move.
"I believe it is possible for us to further down-zone More Mesa," Mr. Williams said. "I favor taking the hard line, placing a number of restrictions on where things could be built and how much."
Mr. Guzzardi favors buying the property.
"I think the buyout is the better solution, but I just don't know how it would happen," said Mr. Guzzardi, adding that he would urge planners to follow the state's environmental laws in making any decision on building.
Ms. Wolf said she would support placing a moratorium on two-story homes around More Mesa's perimeter. Residents may pursue such an option if supervisors provide funding for an update of the area's growth outline...
Only Dan Secord hinted that he may not oppose developing the 40 acres.
"You have to look at each project as it comes through," said Dr. Secord...
e-mail: bmcmanigal@newspress.com
Santa Barbara News-Press
(Painting image courtesy of: http://www.rschloss.com/images/avalable/1287.jpg)
Future of More Mesa becomes a central theme in campaign
More Mesa, the sprawling 300-acre coastal property next to Hope Ranch, has emerged as a silent player in the heated 2nd District Supervisor's race, holding a prominent position in the four candidates' campaign statements, rallies and advertising.
Popular with strolling soccer moms, naturalists and nude beach enthusiasts, privately owned More Mesa has become a lofty symbol in a campaign where contenders all pledge to protect the environment and open spaces.
But the blufftop area zoned for several dozen homes faces an uncertain future...
Originally zoned for hundreds of homes, county planners now say More Mesa can hold about 70, tucked into 40 acres along the property's northeast corner. While owner J. Earl Holding has not proposed any specific project recently, residents say it is only a matter of time.
"There's a potential for a lot of development," said Valerie Olson, president of the More Mesa Preservation Coalition, a group of local residents and supporters formed in 2000 to combat recurring development proposals...
"People talk a lot about protecting the environment and open space," said Ms. Olson, a retired engineer. "We really want to know what they're [the candidates for the 2nd district] going to do. How are they going to help the community protect this incredible resource?"
... While the county owns 35 acres near a creek on the parcel's north end, Mr. Holdings, a Utah-based businessman who also owns an oil company, holds the remaining 266 acres.
The county has designated close to 200 acres as an environmentally sensitive habitat -- a category that would protect it from development under state law.
But the 40-acre slice next to Hope Ranch could take up to 70 homes. Ms. Olson and colleagues, who carefully monitor the county's pipeline of proposed projects, would like to see More Mesa purchased by the community.
But Mr. Holding will not negotiate with them, they say.
"They're just not interested in talking to us," said Ms. Olson, who speculates that the owner wants to get the legal designation lifted on the entire 266 acres...
Most of the candidates say they support purchasing the property, but concede the difficulty of collecting the needed funds. Other strategies include placing further constraints on the 40 acres, but the three North County conservatives who control the Board of Supervisors would likely oppose such a move.
"I believe it is possible for us to further down-zone More Mesa," Mr. Williams said. "I favor taking the hard line, placing a number of restrictions on where things could be built and how much."
Mr. Guzzardi favors buying the property.
"I think the buyout is the better solution, but I just don't know how it would happen," said Mr. Guzzardi, adding that he would urge planners to follow the state's environmental laws in making any decision on building.
Ms. Wolf said she would support placing a moratorium on two-story homes around More Mesa's perimeter. Residents may pursue such an option if supervisors provide funding for an update of the area's growth outline...
Only Dan Secord hinted that he may not oppose developing the 40 acres.
"You have to look at each project as it comes through," said Dr. Secord...
e-mail: bmcmanigal@newspress.com
Santa Barbara News-Press
(Painting image courtesy of: http://www.rschloss.com/images/avalable/1287.jpg)
Posted by Malcolm on
5/12/2006
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