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.
