I’m pretty sure some people who bought property in Los Osos years ago to build their dream homes have died waiting for permission to break ground. Afterall, the residential building moratorium has been in place for 35 freakin’ years! Of course, this decades-long wound to the Los Osos community was largely self-inflicted.
Sidewalks, anyone? Nah. Streetlights? Nah. A working sewer system? Nope, not until recently.
For decades, development in the community has felt like the Wild West, with scant central planning, builders installing leaky septic tanks, and residents pumping groundwater willy-nilly, leading to saltwater intrusion into the groundwater basin.
Is it any wonder that in 1988 the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board banned any new development from installing septic tanks, effectively creating the moratorium since there was no sewer system to hook up to? After 25 years of arguing and scratching their heads followed by a decade of concerted effort to correct these historic problems—and a whole lot of controversy on how to do it—the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD) has secured expensive, new water treatment infrastructure, a more stable water supply, and better environmental protections, so the SLO County Board of Supervisors and the California Coastal Commission has approved the new Los Osos Community Plan, which will slowly allow new development.
So who gets to build first? Whoever signed up for the waitlist that started way back in 1989. According to reporting by The Tribune, the list is “around 382 landowners long.” The new plan only allows for 1 percent annual growth, or about 50 new units a year. Not exactly a land rush, but for those waiting decades, or for the kids who inherited a useless and unsellable plot of land, things are looking up.
Somebody call the wahmbulence for outgoing Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) chair Charles Varni. During his closing remarks at the OCSD’s Dec. 11 meeting as the new directors were taking their oaths, Varni had lots of people to blame for his failed bid for reelection.
“The election was unfortunately historic as the most negative campaign in local memory,” he claimed, proving his memory’s bad or he hasn’t paid attention to other elections. “It featured a first-ever political action committee whose sole purpose was to defeat a CSD candidate.”
Well, Save Oceano definitely wanted to spread the word about what they thought of Varni and his “leadership,” but the organization and its website had more on its mind than calling him “no bueno for Oceano.”
“The 5th District voters never had an opportunity to hear from the candidates in a public forum, [and] social media and weekly papers were packed with a well-organized plan of hate-filled personal attacks and character assassinations,” he whined. “It was the opposite of a civil and respectful election process and hopefully not something that will be repeated. It’s not a good look for our community and not something to be proud of.”
Sour grapes much, Chuck? I do thank you for believing “weekly papers” were “well-organized” in their critique of your tenure. It’s got to especially sting that you’re being replaced by your arch political enemy, Shirley Gibson. I’m sure she’ll provide as much Shredder fodder as you have.
Speaking of political goodbyes, I guess I won’t have outgoing 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold to kick around anymore. After 12 years of service and three terms, she’s retiring from the SLO County Board of Supervisors. Her position will be filled by former Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno.
I disagreed with Arnold on almost everything, from her attempts to open up the severely overdrafted Paso Robles Groundwater Basin to more pumping to refusing to employ eminent domain to finish the Bob Jones Trail to her support of the blatantly gerrymandered Patten map to her questioning our election integrity. Over the years, The Debster Fire has inspired a lot of shreddin’ ink in this column, and though I think she’s been wrong-headed on so many issues, she believes what she believes, and in that way, I respect her. She stands by her incorrect positions, and for that, I salute you, Supervisor Arnold.
Now for something really important. Have you heard about The Caffeinated Cat Café? New Times wrote about it in August, and it finally opened on Dec. 14 in Grover Beach. Its “mission is to provide a relaxing, stress-free space for people to engage with cats, with a goal of finding a forever home for every rescue that that comes to our café.”
You’ll be welcomed into the entry area to explore the gift shop and the café’s selection of coffees, teas, and delicious treats, and then you’ll step into the Cat Lounge, where you can interact with the rescued cats.
“Whether you’re a seasoned cat lover or new to feline companionship, you’ll find joy in interacting with our playful and affectionate cats,” according to their website. “Our cat lounge is the perfect spot to relax, read a book, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance while sipping your favorite drink.”
Reservations are recommended. I hope you enjoyed this small holiday respite from snarky commentary, returning full force next week. Δ
The Shredder takes heart that there’s always a new crop of politicians to help it fill this page. Send tips and tidbits to shredder@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 19-29, 2024.
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