On March 18, a letter from Jeff Harris urged candidates’ statements be judged by the incorrect information he gave regarding the 2000 draft LCP/LUP. Contrary to his memory, the committee adopted a complete Administrative Draft LCP Land Use Plan on March 21, 2000. He was absent. The Planning Director submitted it for Coastal staff review on March 23, 2000. This plan was prepared by a paid consultant, city staff and a total of 18 appointed members who served on the LCP Committee at various times. Dr. Werner Koenig chaired the committee for the entire six years.
In November 1999, only the LCP policies (incomplete) had been sent by the Planning Director, which was the subject of the now infamous “dead on arrival” quote from an architects and engineers meeting held on March 16. The March 2000, LUP was not the “plan” referred to, because it was not submitted until March 23. The current City Council is well aware of these events. Also, it has been provided in letters to the editor at least four times.
After the new 2000 Council (including Jennings and Kearsley) took over, the LCP/LUP submitted on March 23, 2000 was withdrawn. The City Manager told Coastal staff the new council wanted to rewrite it. This resulted in the state legislature passing AB 988 in September of 2000 mandating that the Coastal Commission write the plan because the “city had never prepared a plan.” The above is documented by LCP Committee minutes, director’s letter of submission, court records and written communication from Coastal staff. In a separate article last week, Jennings and Kearsley called the withdrawal of the 2000 LCP an “illusion.” An “illusion?” Not quite. It’s about time they take responsibility for their actions and tell the truth.
The costs of withdrawing the March 2000 LCP have been astronomical – $776,000, to date, and this doesn’t include LCP consultant Paul Crawford, who worked with the committee for four years. All the Council had to do to abort AB 988 was adopt and resubmit the March 2000 LCP. It would then officially have been considered “in process” when the legislature inquired.
Jo Ruggles
Former LCP committee member