Crossroads



Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum

Meeting of May 13, 2006


An open community meeting of the Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum was held at Pioneer Hall (Fairgrounds) from 9:30 to noon on 13 May, 2006.


The agenda included:

Achieving a Shared Vision for the Future of the Sonoita Valley

Meeting Goals

Policy Statement

SCCF encourages and will support plans for growth and development at the Crossroads (SR 82/SR 83) that are consistent with goals laid out in A Comprehensive Plan for Northeast Santa Cruz County 2002 and with goals stated in Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Plan 2004. The Plan 2002 describes Open Space and a Village Concept; the Plan 2004 describes a Northeast Santa Cruz County Character Area. In both documents the Crossroads community expresses its desire to concentrate highest density development near the Crossroads and conserving open spaces in the grasslands and mountain areas well away from that center. Development plans that seek the support of SCCF must demonstrate how these community goals will be fulfilled.

In its vision of growth near the Crossroads, SCCF recognizes the Land Use categories of Plan 2004: Mixed Use, Low Density, and Ranch. Whenever a project, working within these categories, requires zoning changes to effect the density gradient here envisioned, the developer must consider ways to offset proposed density increases with lower densities outside the boundaries of the proposed development. Transfer of development rights, development credits, conservation easements and analogous tools will meet with the favor of SCCF.

In order to encourage flexible, mixed use development near the Crossroads, SCCF also recognizes the need to support proposals that require Òuse changesÓ, and will do so provided that the proposed change is both supported by reasonable evidence of market need and consistent with the goals of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan and the 2004 Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Plan Character Area.

Next Steps Re Planning

Develop an updated Land Use plan for the Crossroads
Work in concert with experienced consultants
Capture and formalize the density gradient concept
Initiate a dialog with large landholders to
Clarify our vision for development in NE Santa Cruz County
Identify possible paths that would enable sensible growth near the crossroads and preservation of open spaces



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