A mostly native, as yet undestroyed area on the Nipomo Mesa which is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, some endangered. Saving Black Lake Canyon from destruction is a goal of Save the Mesa. See the complete story of attempts to save Black Lake Canyon on www.savethemesa.org. Δ

Also known as BOS. Our representatives on the county level. Because the Mesa is not part of an incorporated city, we have no mayor or city council to make decisions for us. Instead, the five county supervisor speak for all of us. San Luis Obispo County is divided into five districts. Supervisors are elected by district, but they each represent the county as a whole. The board manages the county and is responsible for adopting ordinances and setting policy. They are: Harry Ovitt (1st District), Shirley Bianchi (2nd District and 2005 Chairperson), Jerry Lenthall (3rd District), Katcho Achadjian (4th District, 2005 Vice-Chairperson and the supervisor that represents the Nipomo Mesa), and James R. Patterson (5th District). Δ

The Ralph M. Brown Act, which requires the public be adequately notified of items decided on by elected bodies. Δ

California Environmental Quality Act. This is a state law that requires a full environmental impact report, or EIR, when a project conducted or authorized by government will have a "significant effect" on the environment. It applies only to state and local projects, not federal. If the government does not order an EIR when it should, it is in violation of CEQA and it is the responsibility of the people, like us, to take actions to make sure this does happen. Δ

The practice of bringing all interested parties to the planning table before a project breaks ground. Δ

Also called Traffic Committee. A subcommittee of the Nipomo Community Advisory Council that gives input to the county supervisor for this area on which roads need to be built, widened, etc. For more info, or to serve on the committee, contact Marianne Buckmeyer at mbuckmeyer@aol.com. Δ

Where a developer is allowed to take a five acre lot which allows five homes - one per acre and build them all on one acre or less close together leaving the four acres as open space. This benefits the builder with lower constructions costs and theoretically sounds good to many -- Problem is who will maintain the open space. Ten years down the line, in spite of what County promises - it could be subdivided into more homes (to get rid of the weeds). Δ

Certificates of Compliance Δ

Draft Environmental Impact Report. This document, written prior to the EIR, circulates for comments by the public and other agencies. Comments that are received must be taken into consideration and incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Report, or FEIR. Δ

Fees charged to developers or builders as a prerequisite to construction or development approval. The most common are: (1) impact fees (such as parkland acquisition fees, school facilities fees, or street construction fees) related to funding public improvements which are necessitated in part or in whole by the development; (2) connection fees (such as water line fees) to cover the cost of installing public services to the development; (3) permit fees (such as building permits, grading permits, sign permits) for the administrative costs of processing development plans; and, (4) application fees (rezoning, CUP, variance, etc.) for the administrative costs of reviewing and hearing development proposals. Δ

Environmental Defense Center. This is a highly regarded, non-profit, public-interest environmental law firm. Its purpose is to keep an eye on the government and to take action, at the request of community groups, to encourage or legally compel the government to follow environmental laws. The EDC originated in Santa Barbara and now has offices also in San Luis Obispo and Ventura. The EDC represented Save the Mesa recently when we sued the county for exceeding the annual growth cap on the Mesa by some 180 permits. You can find more at the EDC’s website at http://www.rain.org/~edc. The organization welcomes your financial support. Δ

Environmental Impact Report. This is a document analyzing the environmental harm that may result from a project that is proposed for an area. It must include alternatives or possible changes in the project to reduce harm. Such a report is required under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Δ

Final Environmental Impact Report. This report responds to comments made by the public and other agencies. Comments should be included in the main body of a rewritten EIR or included as a appendix. The Final EIR MUST DEAL with these comments, either by making changes in the project or by explaining why the changes proposed in the comments were rejected. If a FEIR ignores comments received by the public and other agencies, it may be deemed inadequate by the courts. And indeed this has happened. This is why public input is so important; mass quantities of letters can generate a more thorough report. So the people do have power, if we know about it! Δ

See Tract Map. Δ

A statement of policies, including text and diagrams setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals, for the future physical development of the city or county. The local general plan can be described as the city's or county's "blueprint" for future development. It represents the community's view of its future; a constitution made up of the goals and policies upon which the city council, board of supervisors, or planning commission will base their land use decisions. To illustrate its importance, all subdivisions, public works projects, and zoning decisions (except in charter cities other than Los Angeles) must be consistent with the general plan. If inconsistent, they must not be approved.

The general plan is not the same as zoning. Although both designate how land may be developed, they do so in different ways. The general plan and its diagrams have a long-term outlook, identifying the types of development that will be allowed, the spatial relationships among land uses, and the general pattern of future development. Zoning regulates present development through specific standards such as lot size, building setback, and a list of allowable uses. In counties and general law cities, the land uses shown on the general plan diagrams will usually be reflected in the local zoning maps as well. Development must not only meet the specific requirements of the zoning ordinance, but also the broader policies set forth in the local general plan.

State law requires that each city and each county adopt a general plan containing the following seven components or "elements": land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open-space, noise, and safety. At the same time, each jurisdiction is free to adopt a wide variety of additional elements covering subjects of particular interest to that jurisdiction such as recreation, urban design, or public facilities. Δ

See Development Fees Δ

A general term describing public and quasi-public utilities and facilities such as roads, bridges, sewers and sewer plants, water lines, power lines, fire stations, etc. Δ

Document required by CEQA if state or local agency doubts the necessity of an EIR. This must be done before a Negative Declaration is issued. Δ

A ballot measure which has been placed on the election ballot as a result of voter signatures and which addresses a legislative action. At the local level, initiatives usually focus on changes or additions to the general plan and zoning ordinance. The right to initiative is guaranteed by the California Constitution. Δ

Changing a project or taking other steps to reduce harm that a project may do to natural resources.

The California Environmental Quality Act requires that when an environmental impact or potential impact is identified, measures must be proposed that will eliminate, avoid, rectify, compensate for or reduce those environmental effects. Δ

Memorandum of Understanding Δ

Nipomo Community Services District. Δ

Also Neg Dec, Negative Dec. An announcement by a state or local government agency that it believes a project does not require an environmental impact report. This announcement may be challenged, and often should be. Δ

Nipomo Incorporation Committee - a move to incorporate most of South County into one city Δ

A lovely, wooded area in the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County. The Mesa is south of the City of Arroyo it's surrounding rural areas and includes the unincorporated area known as Nipomo which stretches south to the Santa Maria River. The Mesa extends to the ocean bluffs on the west and Los Berros Creek on the east. Δ

A minor subdivision resulting in fewer than five lots. The city or county may approve a parcel map when it meets the requirements of the general plan and all applicable ordinances. The regulations governing the filing and processing of parcel maps are found in the state Subdivision Map Act and the local subdivision ordinance. Δ

A subcommittee of the Nipomo Community Advisory Committee that seeks to brings multi-use pathways and trails to the Nipomo Mesa. The group has created a large map which shows the ideal places where pathways and trails would best benefit the community. Chair of the group is Penny Smith. She can be reached via email at PDScoco@aol.com or 481-8611. Δ

A group of residents appointed by the city council or board of supervisors to consider land use planning matters. The commission's duties and powers are established by the local legislative body and might include hearing proposals to amend the general plan or rezone land, initiating planning studies (road alignments, identification of seismic hazards, etc.), and taking action on proposed subdivisions. Δ

A ballot measure challenging a legislative action by the city council or county board of supervisors. Referenda petitions must be filed before the action becomes final and may lead to an election on the matter. The California Constitution guarantees the right to referendum. Δ

South County Advisory Council. A group of local citizens and business people who look at issues and give their assessment to the county supervisor who represents this area. Δ

Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources, a 1999 initiative that sought to transfer the choice of whether or not open and agricultural space can be rezoned for housing from the board of supervisors to the people. Δ

Sphere of Influence of the Nipomo Community Service District - The area where the NCSD can expand their services through annexations. The most recent SOI proposed doubled the present one. Δ

A plan addressing land use distribution, open space availability, infrastructure, and infrastructure financing for a portion of the community. Specific plans put the provisions of the local general plan into action. Δ

See Board of Supervisors Δ

Transfer of Development Credits program. Δ

Final map subdivisions (also called tract maps or major subdivisions) are land divisions which create five or more lots. They must be consistent with the general plan and are generally subject to stricter requirements than parcel maps. Such requirements may include installing road improvements, the construction of drainage and sewer facilities, parkland dedications, and more. Δ

See Circulation Committee. Δ

Urban Reserve Line as in Nipomo Δ

Urban Services Line - The area now serviced by the NCSD Δ

Village Reserve Line as in Los Berros, Callender-Garrett Δ

A large area of eucalyptus forest (nearly 1,000 acres) on the Nipomo Mesa which was zoned in previous years to become a small city, including 1,320 homes, a 500-bed hotel and industrial buildings. The company who is building this project has been exempted by the Board of Supervisors from the area’s growth cap of 1.8 percent a year. Save the Mesa was against granting this project any exemption from the growth cap. Δ

Local codes regulating the use and development of property. The zoning ordinance divides the city or county into land use districts or "zones", represented on zoning maps, and specifies the allowable uses within each of those zones. It establishes development standards such as minimum lot size, maximum height of structures, building setbacks, and yard size. Δ