Growth in San Luis Obispo
C.M. Deasy’s piece on growth in San Luis Obispo County (Opinion, March 11), stated our problem clearly. Southern California-style growth here on the central coast is bringing in smog, traffic congestion and water shortages.
Less clear, however, are the differences between San Luis County’s two growth-control ballot measures. While Measure A, the Fair Share Initiative, would establish a maximum 2.6% yearly limit for unincorporated areas (providing that resources are available), Measure B, the countywide S.L.O. Growth Initiative, mandates a maximum and minimum growth rate of 3% yearly for the county as a whole, thus forcing the county to issue building permits at that rate whether resources, water, roads, sewage disposal, etc., are available or not! Since 3% is almost exactly the current rate of growth for the county, it’s obvious that the real intent of Measure B is to insure that our pell-mell growth is not reduced in the face of diminishing resources--a fine recipe for disaster!
That Measure B is backed mainly by developers and agriculture interests intent on land speculation should come as no surprise. In light of this, the double meaning in the name “S.L.O. Growth” becomes apparent.
TED WATERHOUSE
Arroyo Grande
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