Board denies Los Osos appeal, upholds hearing officer approval for single‑family home despite groundwater concerns

The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 denied an appeal filed by the Los Osos Sustainability Group and upheld a Planning Hearing Officer approval of a minor use permit and coastal development permit to build a two‑story, 3,580‑square‑foot single‑family house on Cottontail Lane in the Los Osos community.

Appellant’s concern and staff findings

Appellant Patrick McGibney argued that the Los Osos groundwater basin is in continued overdraft, that seawater intrusion is advancing, and that any new development that uses on‑site septic and additional groundwater extraction would exacerbate the basin’s condition. McGibney urged the board to halt approvals until conclusive evidence shows the basin is sustainable or until an outside water source is in place.

Planning staff told the board the project was accepted for processing before the effective date of the county’s Title 26 growth‑management ordinance and therefore is not subject to the GMO’s current growth limits. Staff noted the parcel lies inside both the urban services and urban reserve lines, the water purveyor (Golden State Water Company) issued a will‑serve letter, and the proposed septic system must comply with Title 19 and Regional Water Board requirements. Staff recommended adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and denial of the appeal.

Board action

After oral testimony from the appellant and the applicant, and brief board discussion, the board voted to deny the appeal and approve the minor use permit and coastal development permit in accordance with the hearing officer’s decision and staff recommendations.

Sources: Planning and Building staff presentation and public testimony recorded in the Nov. 4 hearing.