Price Canyon debate continues in Pismo Beach

February 5, 2013

People for and against the Spanish Springs development are talking about potential transformations to the community if the Pismo Beach project proposal successfully finds its way through the process.

Both sides have made claims. Proponents and city staff have been accused of attempting to hide the true nature of the project and its costs to the community, in turn, have accused opponents of the project for attempting to disseminating false misinformation.

The proposed project, by West Coast Housing Partners, spans 950 acres and is slated to include 468 homes, a nine-hole golf course, conference center, wine center, vineyards, trails and open space.

The arguments for and against:

Proponents of the project say the plan and its proposed conference center will increase tourism and hotel tax revenue for the city. Opponents say that Pismo Beach will never become a destination spot and the project will negatively change the character of the city.

Opponents of the project have said that the plan will double the population of the city and increase its size by 43 percent. However, the project is slated to increase the population by 18 percent over 15 years, not 50 percent. While the project would increase the land size of the city by 43 percent, 73 percent of that would be left in open space, parks and trails.

Opponents of the project claim the developers have only built eight houses and that West Coast Housing Partner’s website says the group primarily gets projects permitted before selling to another builder. However, the group’s website says they currently have eight homes under construction though they have built more than 3,500 single family homes.

Proponents of the project note that, according to the agreement, the developer’s obligations include an upgrade to the city’s wastewater treatment plant to tertiary levels and to begin a recycled water program in the city at a cost of approximately $3.5 million, bringing in 1,400 acre feet of recycled water. Opponents argue that the developers are being given a sweetheart deal that includes lower water rates than current residents.

The state water rates are slated to be rolled down for this project as is the standard for developments using recycled water.

In November, the Pismo Beach Planning Commission voted 3-2 to approve the development agreement with the owners of the development.

The Pismo Beach City Council will vote tonight on whether or not to approve the project at a meeting being held at 5:30 p.m. at the Veteran’s Hall. If approved, the project would then require approval by the Local Agency Formation Commission.