LCP Amendments, Register-Pajaronian, Jan. 29, 2000

Proposed changes to Watsonville's Local Coastal Program compared to the existing certified LCP

The current Local Coastal Program (LCP) provides for permitted and conditional uses within the Coastal Zone. Permitted uses - with the fewest restrictions - include passive recreation, agriculture and aquaculture (fish farms). Conditional uses _ with the most restrictions _ are the subject of the city's LCP amendments. The chart below shows these uses and restrictions permitted in the current LCP and proposed in the amended LCP.

Elements

Current LCP

Amended LCP
Conditional Uses Minimum 5 acre residential
Minimum 15 acre non-nuisance industrial 		Minimum 5 acre residential
Minimum 15 acre non-nuisance industrial

Public School
Conditions for conversion of farmland Farming determined to be not feasible Farming determined to be not feasible or developing the land preserves prime ag land elsewhere
Allowed coverage
(buildings, asphalt, etc) 		Maximum 10% coverage Maximum 50% coverage
Development on slope Maximum 15% slope Maximum 25% slope
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESHA) Forbids development in ESHA Allows development of up to one-tenth acre of ESHA if the ESHA is replaced at 2:1 ratio.
Extent of ESHA Previously certified map shows 10 acres+/- of ESHA Proposed map shows a loss of ESHA to less than five acres

See also:

¦ Political Pressure for High School ¦ Coastal Commission Draft Report ¦

¦ Coastal Commission Final Report ¦

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