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Planning staff outlines follow-up actions on farmworker housing and notes CEQA changes could reduce environmental review for housing
Summary
County planning staff reported July 9 on follow-up measures from the farmworker housing task force, including a proposed LCP amendment to streamline permitting for qualifying farmworker housing and proposed changes to well-monitoring rules for employee housing.
Planning Department staff reported on July 9 on follow-up work from the county’s farmworker housing task force and on recent state changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Staff said the county is drafting an amendment to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) to create an exemption for farmworker housing projects that meet defined parameters so permit review may be streamlined where projects would not adversely affect coastal resources. The department also said the Environmental Health Division proposes adjusting the county ordinance for private wells to require more frequent monitoring when wells serve employee housing; that proposal responds to task-force findings that some wells serving farmworker housing showed bacteria or other constituents above health standards during inspections.
Staff said the proposed LCP amendment and related outreach will go to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and Pescadero Municipal Advisory Committee in August, with the LCP amendment expected before the planning commission in late summer or early fall. Changes to Environmental Health regulations would go directly to the Board of Supervisors.
Separately, staff discussed recent state changes to CEQA (effective June 30) that will exempt more projects — particularly some housing and infill projects — from environmental review. The department cautioned that while fewer projects may require formal CEQA documents, commission members will still receive project information and the department will update internal guidance to reflect the statutory changes. Staff noted that CEQA documents previously provided useful information to guide decision-making.
Commissioners asked whether well testing frequency changes were prompted by findings from task-force inspections; staff confirmed that inspections showed bacterial or constituent levels exceeding standards in some instances. Staff also noted the coast’s limited municipal water infrastructure and that fire safety on rural properties continues to require adequate onsite water storage.
