Special favors benefit SLO County supervisor, anger his neighbors

April 24, 2022

SLO County Supervisor Bruce Gibson

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County has a reputation for rigorously enforcing building and land use regulations. But, when it came to Supervisor Bruce Gibson, county staff skirted both planning regulations and state law to allow him to build a 727-square-foot addition and 208-square-foot deck.

When the special treatment was uncovered, SLO County staff, (1) took documents from the file offline, (2) said the documents did not exist, (3) said they were not sure where the documents were and could have been lost, and, (4) that there were no documents for property exemptions for the project.

When Gibson’s home was built decades ago in Cayucos, it was placed less than 2 feet from the property line, which currently makes it a legal non-conforming structure. The minimum set back requirement is 3 feet for a conforming structure, while 4 feet is usually required.

During the process of approving the project, county documents showed a 23-inch setback.

While Gibson legally can occupy his home, SLO County Title 23.09.030, requires that a non-conforming structure be brought into compliance before it can be altered or increased.

Initially, when Gibson decided to add on to his home, he asked his next-door neighbor Jack Keely to let him buy a slice of his property for $2,000, which would have made Gibson’s home a conforming structure. Keely declined the offer, he  said.

Gibson then threatened to get a lot line adjustment, Keely said.

But no lot line adjustment was made, and, in 2016 Gibson applied to the county for a permit for a complete remodel and to add a two-story addition on to the back of his house.

That should have resulted in the county mailing notices to all neighbors within 300 feet of Gibson’s property. Keely said he never received a notice.

After learning Gibson’s remodel plan would block her home’s view of the Pacific Ocean and Morro Rock, Carol Knapp sought a hearing. She dropped her request after being told that she would likely lose her bid to stop Gibson’s project, according to records from the planning hearing on April 21, 2017.

Even though it usually takes three to four months to schedule a hearing with the planning department, Gibson’s project went in front of the hearing officer in less than six weeks.

And while projects are typically listed by the property owner’s name, in this case, Gibson’s name was not listed on the hearing calendar. Instead, the name listed was “Smith.” As a result, no one other than two county staffers attended the SLO County Planning Department hearing.

During the April 21, 2017 hearing, Terry Wahler, a county project manager, asked hearing officer Rob Fitzroy to approve Gibson’s plan for the 727 square foot addition, a 208 square-foot deck and an interior remodel. He said the project complied with all county regulations.

During his slide show, Wahler showed a drawing that lists the side setback next to Keely’s home as 23 inches, according to records on the county meeting website.

“This is an aerial of the site, and as you can see, it is a little snug on the side setbacks, but there is plenty of room for this addition in the center rear of the project site,” Wahler said during his presentation.

Saying that the project met all requirements, Fitzroy then moved to approve.

The county signed off on the project about a year and a half ago. Gibson then put a shale and concrete walkway that covered part of Keely’s property.

After Keely ordered Gibson to stop encroaching on his lot, Keely paid for a survey which showed Gibson’s encroachment. He tried to hire a lawyer to sue the county supervisor, but four attorneys turned him down noting Gibson’s position of power, he said.

Recently, Gibson had his walkway cut from Keely’s property. Keely is planning to put a fence along the property line to stop Gibson from further encroaching on his property, he said.

Jack Keely’s home

Since the project’s approval, all documents related to the project — DRC 2016-00077 — were taken offline while the permit application cover page remains on the county’s website. The few documents available, show the project was signed off on even though requirements such as having the addition setback four feet from the property line were not met.

According to California law, county planning documents are public records. In response to a request to see the permit file, planning department staffer Deanna Pategue first said the file did not exist, before saying most of the file was missing. She then provided the seven remaining file pages: the findings, conditions of approval and the notice of final county action.

“Contact the planner, he would know what he did with the records,” Pategue said.

Even though the county is legally required to retain planning records, Wahler said he was not sure where he put them, and that he doesn’t like people showing up at the desk and asking to see records.

“We cannot just find them, we have so many,” Wahler said. “What if it is lost and we can’t find it.”

Wahler called back, and said County Counsel Rita Neal said reporters can only get records through her.

In response to a Public Records Request for any exemptions the county awarded the project, and questions about the non-conforming home, Neal responded that there were no documents available and that the property was a conforming use.

“There are no documents responsive to your request because there was no exemption. The single family house is in residential zoning,” Neal wrote in an email. “According to our local coastal program, it is a principally permitted and thus a legal and conforming use.”

But the home’s zoning does not affect its status as a non-conforming structure.

Neal also falsely claimed there were no exemptions given to the project, although CalCoastNews had obtained a March 21, 2017, document which showed that Wahler gave Gibson a categorical (CEQA) exemption, according to the county document.

Gibson’s response to questions about the non-conforming structure and issues with Keely was to forward Neal’s email.

Neal then sent a second email, on Saturday afternoon, saying that her interpretation of Title 23 is that is does allow for adding on to a legal non-conforming structure.

“Proposed alterations or expansions consistent with all applicable provisions of this title (Title 23), when accompanied by any additional alterations necessary to bring the entire building or structure into conformity with all applicable provisions of Title 19 of this code.”

Title 23.09.030 requires 3 feet side setbacks.

Even though county officials say there are no issues with the project, about five county planning department employees visited Gibson’s home on Friday, Keely said.

Elected in 2006, Gibson is the longest-serving member of the SLO County Board of Supervisors. He is currently running for reelection.

Keely recently hung two large banners on his home, asking his neighbors to vote for Bruce Jones, one of Gibson’s opponents, for District 2 supervisor.


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Can only imagine the chaos in the Gibson camp, plotting to discredit CCN.

Probably called in the big gun, too, the “6th supervisor” Jamie Kirk, to come up with something to feed to the conservative 3.

She’s pushing hard to get Geoff Auslen in if Sup. Gibson fails to keep his seat. She doesn’t want to lose her reign—–or be exposed.


Geoff Auslen isn’t who is presenting himself as. He has close ties to the SLO Progressives and has, like Gibson received funding from the pot industry. Any who claim to be Conservative Republican or Independents shouldn’t be supporting Auslen. He is absolutely a RINO!!!! He doesn’t fall far from the Gibson political tree of deceit. Both of their campaigns are entwined. I promise you that.


There is a fast-moving trend of support for Col. John Whitworth who is running against these two chameleons. He’s a man of integrity, character, honesty and truth. He knows how to get things done. He won’t be compromised as these two already are. I believe he is going to be on with Dave Congalton tomorrow evening. He’s a retired U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam as rescue helicopter pilot evacuating injured soldiers. This is nothing compared to that. He’ll work circles around both of these guys.


So I hope the FBI should be looking at Bruce

because he just as dirty as Adam was.


He’s worse and has continued to build this corrupt structure he now leads and is the face of in the county. Him and those that support this guy like the SLO Progressives and the local Democrat Party and their ties to the corrupt pot industry will be held accountable if not in June, then in November.


As Mel Brooks once said: “It’s good to be the king”…


Hoping Dave Congalton will be putting this into his show.. i wish i knew more about Paulding, too. And when is that dang FBI investigation going to wrap up?

c):~)


Karen will be on my show Monday at 4:30 p.m.


I don’t see what all the fuss is about, This is standard operating procedure for most governmental entities in this County. This is only the corruption we hear about.


Jimmy Paulding is poised to be elected to the BOS. He says he is nonpartisan. In order words he can steal from both sides, if elected. He won’t be on the BOS more than one term. He’s running for POTUS in 2028.


Well researched article and presentation by CalCoast News. They are entitled to sue for the documents in question under the California Public Records Act and get awarded attorney’s fees if successful. Good luck finding an attorney.


Good luck finding a judge. Judge Ginger Garret retired with 3 days notice when the FBI bagged Helios Dayspring, She made a controversial ruling in his favor, SLO mayor Heidi Harmon made tracks foe elsewhere at the same time. My guess is the FBI let the two of them skate if they left office,


Where are the people Dayspring rated out that are the basis for the sentence reduction he is looking for? He rated out himself, a dead man and maybe Garett and Harmon. No arrests! I believe the max. sentence for Helios is 13 years. I bet he gets 13 months or less.


As I said just business as usual. Chalk it up to the price we pay for living in paradise.


Just out of curiosity, how many times have you heard of off duty police being pulled over for infractions and then being let off with a warning when and because they were identified as law enforcement?


As a strict enforcer of County Development Codes for everyone else, he clearly ascribes to the principle “The codes are for thee but not for me.”


Bruce Gibson has been in power for way too long. The law never applies to him. Never.


Wade Horton was too chicken to stand up to Adam Hill. Does anyone honestly believe he’ll rein Gibson in? That horse has left the barn.


Rita Neal. We know why she has her job and why she keeps her job. She’s not interested in the truth. She protects the supervisors and they give her nice pay raises. They protect one another.


I don’t know any of thee other D2 candidates. But pick one–anyone–and give him some money. Defeat Gibson. Get rid of the corruption!


So, do we need any more evidence than this that it is time for the arrogant self-serving hypocrite to go? This is in addition to his ties to the late Adam Hill, the convicted drug dealer Helios Dayspring, along with the support of the corrupt pot industry, and his inappropriate relationships with female subordinates. This clearly shows his total lack of personal integrity and character. He once again has shown he is not worthy of the position he holds or the constituents he serves. He is now the face of our county corruption. The submissive power his has used to corrupt individuals like Wade Horton and County Counsel Ria Neal is clearly evident. It was most likely willing on their part as well due the fact that vultures of the same feathers stick together.


I also go back to his interview on the Congalton show where he was very, very, dismissive, dishonest and spreader of misinformation while distorting the facts of his platform politically. I wonder how many homeowners or contractors would like to enjoy his special privileges from the county planning department. Those missing records are public records. The all need to be brought to view in the name FOIA. His personal conduct is the worst of any I’ve seen in local government. I can’t wait to confront him with these details the next time I see him standing on the street corner bloviating more corrupt b.s.


The supervisors were alerted to unfair treatment in the processing of cannabis applications. We can only assume they asked staff and were told the accusations were unfounded.

And the BOS did nothing. Then the FBI stepped in.

How will they treat this newly uncovered information when it involves one of their own?

Will they look the other way, offer Sup.Gibson cover?

Or will they do the right thing and remove him as chairman of the board until a thorough investigation is conducted?