Los Alamos Planning Advisory Committee Stephen Peterson March 19, 2007
What makes Los Alamos so special? Very small, compact town surrounded by large parcel working agriculture and open space areas Old fashioned downtown commercial area (walkable( walkable) ) with Western style storefronts Traditional gridded street network Local homegrown businesses vs. chains
What makes Los Alamos so special? Pace of life, friendliness Lack of traffic Lack of pollution Primarily: the town s surroundings: agricultural lands and open spaces, rolling hills, oak trees, scenic vistas How many towns like Los Alamos are left in Southern California? Should we let this one slip away, too?
2007 Results of Visioning #1 Goal Preserve Los Alamos small town, rural character
1994 Los Alamos Community Plan Extensive public process Not very long ago (12-13 13 years) how long is a community plan usually intended to last? 20-25 25 years Has there been significant public demand for an update to the Plan now (after only 12 years)?
1994 Results of Goal Setting QUALITY OF LIFE (MISSION STATEMENT): To preserve and enhance the unique traits of a rural community.
1994 Los Alamos Community Plan Land Use General: Goal LU-LA LA-1: Encourage growth within the community plan area RATHER than expanding the existing urban boundary.
Existing Community Plan Boundary
1994 Los Alamos Community Plan Policy LU-LA LA-1.1: In order to preserve the surrounding agricultural lands and the rural character of Los Alamos, the County shall not support an extension of the urban boundary line unless: 1-A: The extension is proposed as part of an update to this Community Plan or other comprehensive review of land use and zoning for the entire community
1994 Los Alamos Community Plan 2. For extensions pursuant to 1A, the update of the Community Plan has first considered the inventory of all available vacant or underdeveloped land within the entire urban boundary and has considered the feasibility of changing land use designations and/or zoning on that land west of Hwy 101 to accommodate the desired additional growth
Potential Additional Units on Vacant & Under-developed Land Based on Land Use Designations: 270 Estimated Maximum Buildout Potential Based on Analysis of Existing Units Plus New Potential Units: 869 Community Plan Estimated Buildout: 1,076 units Assuming 10% Using Density Bonus Provisions
Residential Infill Potential Existing units in Los Alamos: 599 Buildout existing vacant/underutilized +270 Mixed-Use along Bell Street +106 Housing Element Sites (3) +123
Insert slide showing Hsg Element site locations here
Residential Infill Potential Existing units in Los Alamos: 599 Buildout existing vacant/underutilized +270 Mixed-Use along Bell Street +106 Housing Element Sites (3) +123 Do Nothing Buildout 1,098
1994 Los Alamos Community Plan 2. For extensions pursuant to 1A, the update of the Community Plan has first considered the inventory of all available vacant or underdeveloped land within the entire urban boundary and has considered the feasibility of changing land use designations and/or zoning on that land west of Hwy 101 to accommodate the desired additional growth
Is Los Alamos the appropriate place to put the County s growth? 95% of working Los Alamos residents commute out of town to their jobs Jobs/Housing Balance Create a residential Suburb for SM/SB? Environmental impacts of long distance commuting Housing in Los Alamos already relatively affordable compared to rest of County Significant amount of affordable units already exist are or planned in Los Alamos
Weak Arguments for Urban Boundary Expansion Commons is infill? Really?
Weak Arguments for Urban Boundary Expansion Commons is infill? Really? Tipping Point for more commercial services Property served by existing Wastewater line Agricultural Viability of land Commons folks would do a nice project Downtown revitalization/streetscape improvements
What s happened elsewhere? Santa Ynez Santa Maria Orcutt
What precedent will this set? Los Alamos will move forward quickly to update the Community Plan at the request of a property owner who d like to expand the urban boundary and develop ag land
Insert Ag Preserve map of Los Alamos surrounding area
Conclusion 1994 Plan well thought-out out and recent There s been no public clamor for an update Plan established urban boundary, desires to focus on infill rather than sprawl (expansion) It s a good plan, it s working, there s still a lot of growth coming under the plan anyway Expanding the urban boundary now will be detrimental to the town s character Set a bad precedent for future growth of the community