Growth Management plans SLDC technical corrections, public outreach and water planning

Growth Management Director Ladd told commissioners the department will complete technical corrections to the Sustainable Land Development Code this fiscal year and will simultaneously launch a public-participation plan for the county’s Sustainable Growth Management Plan. The aim is to resolve internal code contradictions and engage underrepresented communities in a bilingual and accessible way.

Ladd outlined related initiatives: improved online permitting and STR compliance materials, continued expansion of GIS mapping and targeted open-space planning for properties such as Bobcat Crossing Ranch and San Pedro Open Space. On enforcement and nuisance abatement, staff noted a $700,000 allocation to the clean-and-lean program to fund abatement work with the intent to recover costs when possible through liens.

Commissioners pressed for clearer water planning capacity and for a more explicit cross-departmental approach. Ladd said water planning is housed with community planners but requires close coordination with Public Works utilities; county staff reported a draft MOU for a potential city-county water authority was in development and noted the complexity of including additional regional partners.

The board asked that code corrections and STR compliance work be paired with outreach and translation so Spanish-speaking residents and small developers have clear guidance. Ladd said staff have contract resources for translation, bilingual intake staff in permitting, and will lean on commissioners’ community networks for outreach to historically underrepresented groups.

Directors said more detailed recommendations on code redlines, STR lessons learned and potential water authority steps will be presented to the board in the coming months.