COASTAL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Residential Regulatory Reform for Legal Nonconforming Structures

Dear Coastal Property Owners Association of Santa Cruz County Member:

Tomorrow Tuesday, January 12, 2010, the Santa Cruz County Planning Department will present to our County Board of Supervisors a proposed program to address your ability to rebuild or remodel your home. This proposal specifically addresses those homes that have become non-conforming as a result of the many changes that have been made over the years to our building ordinances.

You may review the proposed changes at http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/BDSvData/non_legacy/agendas/2010/20100112/PDF/050.pdf

The plan streamlines the process for minor variations. The plan does not provide relief for rebuilding an existing home if more than 75% is destroyed by a catastrophic event and it is located within 3 feet of the property line. Many of our coastal properties have been legally permitted and built within 3 feet of the property line. Once these homes are lost, reconstruction would require compliance with current site standards or a variance.

We are still in need of a “grandfather” clause that will truly protect our homes and businesses by allowing existing improvements that were legally permitted to be rebuilt if destroyed by a catastrophic event.

Please express your support for a fair and comprehensive plan by attending tomorrow’s board meeting at:

Board Chambers
701 Ocean Street, Room 525
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The meeting starts at 9:00 am. This proposal is item 50 of 53. The complete agenda can be found at:

http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/ASP/Display/SCCB_AgendaDisplayWeb.asp?MeetingDate=1/12/2010

You may also contact our County Supervisors by phone at 831-454-2200,

by fax at 831-454-3262

by e-mail as follows:

John Leopold, district 1 which includes Live Oak Coast & Soquel
john.leopold@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Ellen Pirie, district 2 which includes the City of Capitola & the South Coast
ellen.pirie@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Neal Coonerty, District 3 which includes the City of Santa Cruz & the North Coast
bds031@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Tony Campos, district 4 which includes the City of Watsonville, excluding the coast
bds040@co.santa-cruz.ca.

Mark W. Stone, district 5 which includes Scotts Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains
mark.stone@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Sincerely,

Keith Adams
President
Coastal Property Owners Association of Santa Cruz County
831-479-4200

Please visit our web site at http://www.coastalpropertyowners.org/ for other news about coastal issues.

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