Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum

Development and Land Use at the Sonoita Crossroads

Presented by Bill Eifrig & Leslie Kramer

Forum Vision for the Sonoita Valley

• A vibrant western community, embedded within active ranches, and open spaces.
  • Focus highest density development near the crossroads
• A community that understands and respects the rights & values of landholders & ranchers and works with them to achieve this vision

Achieving our Vision for the Crossroads:
Two Key Roles for the Forum

• Work with prospective developers and landholders
  • Use both SCCF plan (2002) and County Comprehensive Plan (2004)
• Develop a new land use map that supports the goal of a vibrant western community
  • Provide a rational plan for a mix of land uses within a mile of the crossroads
  • Guide the county (P & Z; supervisors) in evaluating development plans.

Working with Developers

• The Santa Cruz County Planning Office has encouraged developers to work with the forum
  • County looks to the Forum to provide input to P&Z; supervisors
• Forum has worked proactively with developers in providing feedback on proposed plans
• During 2006, Forum worked with two developers
  • McElhenny and associates: proposed hotel/resort complex on 170 acres adjacent to the Fairgrounds along SR 82
    • Task force provided feedback throughout the (ongoing) planning p
    • Status of proposed project is unclear at this point
• Doc Clyne and Bob Sharp proposed a planned area development on 100 acres parallel to Papago Springs road
  • Forum is still in active and collegial discussion

Developing a Land Use Map for the Crossroads Area

• County decisions regarding zoning are set by land use map
  • Current zoning near the crossroads is a ÔpatchworkÕ that in some cases excludes land use options the community has embr
  • In its 2002 plan, the Forum identified a broader range of desirable land use near the crossroads
• During 2006, the Forum Board decided to explore changes to the extant Land Use map for radii of 1/2 and 1 mile centered on the Crossroads
• Forum is working closely with the Sonoita Chamber of Commerce to develop a new land use map
  • Step 1: achieve consensus on desirable land use categories
  • Step 2 : propose land use map options
  • Step 3: SCCF Board + Chamber develop consensus
  • Step 4 Vet proposed map with landholders and the community
  • Step 5: propose an amendment to the SCC Comprehensive Plan

Current Zoning for the Crossroads

Land Use Possibilities

Desirable Land Use Categories:
SCCF Board Consensus

To choose among these options, the Board drew on the concepts presented in the Plan of 2002

The consensus list includes:

• Low density residential
• Medium density residential
• Local services
• Mixed Use

Reminder:

• A change in the Ôland useÕ map is not a change in existing zoning
• It is a guide to Planning and Zoning in evaluating proposed projects in the context of current zoning and the land use map

What Next?

• Forum and Chamber of Commerce will develop a new land use map
• After discussion and revision, the SCCF Board will adopt a proposed
• The map will be vetted with the community for comment
  • The SCCF will make use of the ÔblogÕ on the website to seek feedback
• The Board will decide whether to propose a major amendment to the Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Plan (2004)
  • In doing so, we will consult with the County and our colleagues on the west side of the Santa Ritas (CPIT)

© 1999 - Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum