DRAFT policy statement regarding development
This policy statement regarding development at or near the Sonoita Crossroads was adopted by the Forum Board in September, 2006 following solicitation of input from the community during winter and spring, 2006.
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 "use changes", 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.
SCCF Policy Statement regarding Development in the Sonoita Valley
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 "use changes", 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.
5 Comments:
Hi,
One thing I would like to comment on is lighting. As a resident of Sonoita who has a view of the crossroad one of the best parts of living in the area is the dark nights. I am concerned that developement at the crossroads will cause a large increase in "light pollution" unless it is also regulated. I would hope that this issue will also be addressed by the forum.
This policy statement references the Plans 2002 and 2004 both of which state clearly desire to preserve dark night skies. When SCCF adopts this policy it commits itself to work for fulfilling the goals of both Plans - goals for preserving dark night skies and all other goals stated in the Plans.
The draft policy needs grammatical correction. In the third sentence of the first paragraph it should be: "conserve open spaces..." not "conserving..."
Development is coming, just check what is going to be happening at AZ-83 and I-10 starting in 2007.
http://www.passagesoftucson.com/index.htm
We are moving in the right direction addressing these concerns now.
I think one of the most important aspects of policy to be implemented is a "dark skys" policy as many other pristine areas have implemented by ordinance with very reasonable guidlines. This does not mean people cannot have lights for security or signage.
(Russ Shasky, Elgin)
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