3 of 3 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on October 8 at 9:49 a.m.

This is a complex project and process. The facts are that the 2002 MOU required that if the inland area was rezoned, which it is, than final County approval should wait until the Coastal area approvals were final from the Coastal Commission. Yesterday the Supes deleted that requirement, and gave Osgood a green light to begin bulldozing the inland orchard as soon as County approvals are finalized. That is a huge change. And they did it in closed session with no notice to the public and no CEQA consideration whatsoever. Outrageous, cowardly, and probably illegal.
The County (but not the Coastal Commission) has recognized that Osgood has 213 lots, however no one contends they are all buildable, even Osgood. The County opines 82 may be buildable, Osgood says 125. So you should compare Osgood's 72 luxury mansions and guest houses to 82 (or 125), and you see its not such a major reduction.
Just about everyone can see why the Gaviota Coast is the wrong place to build a private gated subdivision. A robust TDR program could give Osgood his money and save Naples, but Osgood spurned the TDR program, and the Supervisors missed their chance to adopt a strong program, principally because Osgood objected. We'll see what the Coastal Commission says about that.
Gaviota is special because it isn't dominated by pink rooks, Osgood's project will be a blight on the landscape -- should it ever be built. Even with the Supes likely approval next Monday, this project faces many more hurdles.
Come to the Rally at noon on 10/13 in Sunken Garden, and tell the Supervisors that afternoon what you think about their actions. More information at www.GaviotaAction.org.

On Battle for Naples Begins Sooner than Expected

1 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.

Posted on September 4 at 6:02 p.m.

Jim - Don't mourn, ORGANIZE!! The fight is years from being over, but we need everyone that loves Naples to step up over the next 6 weeks and help the Naples Coalition and Surfrider deliver a roar to the Supervisors. Thanks for the letter, now write your supervisors and demand that they Save Naples! The Supervisors' hearing is Monday October 13 and anyone that knows or cares about Naples should be present.

There are alternatives that will inflict less damage, the project can and should be reduced in size, number, and area, we should get a real coastal trail, not a freeway trail, with beach access down Dos Pueblos Creek, as called for in our Local Coastal Plan. Learn more and stay informed about the efforts to save Naples and other special Gaviota Coast places through www.GaviotaAction.org.

The County and Orange County developer will consider your silence as consent. Give them a roar of disapproval, and rest assured that the battle for the soul of Naples is far from over, and will continue long after the Board acts.

On Naples Eulogy

Posted on September 1 at 12:38 p.m.

It is now clear that politics trumps planning again. It is dismaying that the PC never publicly reviewed or understood many parts of this project, including project conditions provided by staff, and approved the project based on terms of a development agreement released only 2 days before the hearing.

Ethan referenced my comment on the PC's 3-2 action to endorse separating the inland part of the project from the coastal part, the latter being subject to the Coastal
Commission's review. Up to now, the MOU and County planners have held that the project should be processed as a whole, not allowing the inland development to start first, as the developer has requested. The Alt.1B project must be viewed as a package, and the PC's recommendation allows piecemealing of the project and likely future costs and consequences to the County.

This is different from simple construction phasing, where the project may be constructed a bit at a time, rather than all at once. Construction phasing may indeed be appropriate, but as always, the devil's in the details. Lets hope the public gets an opportunity to see these critical documents with enough time to know what they mean.

Keep posted on Naples and how the public can be involved by visiting www.GaviotaAction.org.

On Naples Dream Development Becoming Reality?

Posted on May 11 at 4:48 p.m.

While experiencing the BioBlitz, everyone should check out the story poles showing the profiles of the 35,000 square feet of new development to be created by the 21 new buildings the Garden has proposed in their 10 year expansion project.

See Friendsofmissioncanyon.org for more info.

On Nature's Roll Call