Los Osos board certifies Measure B26 results, sets Sunnyside master-plan process

The Los Osos Community Services District board on July 2 adopted a resolution declaring the official results of Measure B26, the parcel tax voters approved in June, and provided staff direction to pursue a Sunnyside Park master-planning process.

General Manager Walt told the board Measure B26 carried with 3,465 votes in favor and 2,943 opposed, with 314 under- and overvotes. He said the tax levies $185 per parcel per year, split into a $85-per-parcel acquisition component that sunsets after 15 years and a $100-per-parcel operations and maintenance component indexed to CPI that continues thereafter. Walt summarized staff estimates that acquisition revenue would total roughly $511,700, the O&M revenue in year one about $602,000, and existing lease income from the Waldorf School at Sunnyside is approximately $175,000 annually. After projected costs (utilities, insurance, site maintenance, and conservative estimates for operations), staff’s current net O&M estimate was about $118,900.

Walt also said the district does not yet have occupancy of the Sunnyside site and has no final deal with the San Luis Coastal Unified School District; lease and other revenue estimates informed the tax calculations but are not finalized. He recommended preparation of a comprehensive master plan, phased implementation priorities, and formation of a public steering committee to help refine concepts, align grant applications with the chosen vision and avoid piecemeal grant-driven projects. Walt proposed returning to the board on August 6 with a proposed steering-committee structure and timeline; district occupancy of the site is not expected until January.

Directors discussed whether a consultant should lead or support a community-driven process. Several members favored a professional “referee” to keep competing interests aligned and to ensure the master plan is grant‑ready, while others warned that consultant-led processes can lengthen timelines and reduce local control. The board generally supported moving forward with a master-plan process and asked staff to return with a clear steering‑committee proposal.

Public commenters offered contrasting views. Jeff Edwards told the board the Sunnyside vision he has heard so far is “laughable,” warned the district could face negative cash flows once administrative and permitting costs are included, and recommended exploring a triple-net lease to a citizens’ group as a contingency. Andrea Luker, a long-time Los Osos resident, said the master plan “makes sense” and that local and regional experts could help craft a unified park that serves the whole community.

On a roll call vote, the board adopted Resolution 2026-25 declaring the Measure B26 election results, receiving the revenue and expenditure overview and directing staff to proceed with the master-plan process and return to the board with recommendations. All directors present voted in favor.

Next steps: staff will develop a proposed steering-committee structure and return on August 6; formal occupancy and any lease arrangement with the school district remain subject to a final agreement.