The Mesa's Watchdog (Adobe Press)

Friday June 06, 2003

By Emily Slater

As environmental group Save the Mesa moves into its adolescence, members are building more bridges in the community. "It's important people know we are here to stay," said Marianne Buckmeyer, who took the helm as president of the grassroots, environmental group in February. Citizens concerned about rapid growth formed Save the Mesa in 1999, which has drawn 150 members and the title of community watchdog. In its brief history, the group has filed four lawsuits. In all three cases, Save the Mesa members claimed undue growth, density or the potential of such. Particularly, a suit against the school district and a developer drew criticism from some, while others were ruffled by outspoken board members speaking on behalf of Save the Mesa. With new officers, committees and a refined focus, the group is attempting to restate its mission, offer well-crafted opinions about projects and change public perception. "We don't jump off a cliff unless we have done our homework," said Buckmeyer, referring to positions the group now takes on growth-related issues.

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Part of bridge-building entails disbursing a $250,000 settlement from a lawsuit the group filed against PH Properties over The Woodlands Project. The suit was eventually settled. Various community groups have benefited from the funds, including The Land Conservancy, Nipomo Community Advisory Council, Central Coast Salmon Enhancement and Ride Nipomo. "We are putting money back into the community and we will have more to put in," Buckmeyer said. Save the Mesa has $167,000 left and plans to dole out about $50,000 to community groups during the next three years. Meanwhile, the group will continue tracking funds already granted, besides monitoring a study prompted by its suit. The NCAC is building its library of reference materials and cleaning up the community with $5,000 from Save the Mesa; CCSE recently sponsored sessions at Mesa Middle School to teach about salmon habitats and effect of erosion. The Land Conservancy is using its $63,000 to create a map that highlights points of special interest, targeted for conservation. Candidates could include Black Lake Canyon, viewsheds and other sensitive resource areas. A wildlife corridor may also be determined. Once resources and boundaries are established, the conservancy and others could seek grants for protection. "Nobody has done this," said Buckmeyer, adding the finished map will serve as a resource for developers, environmental groups and others. By the month's end, Save the Mesa hopes a study area is set. At the same time, the Morro Group is continuing its work on an environmental impact report for the county. The group was enlisted after a judge ruled the county must complete the report after it violated its 2.3-percent growth management ordinance for the Nipomo Mesa. County officials eventually extended the scope of the study from the Mesa to the entire county. "No one has looked at the big picture," said Buckmeyer of the reason behind the lawsuit. President of the Morro Group Mary Reents will offer an update about the study at Save the Mesa's next meeting Saturday. The study will not only include scoping but input into analysis about how, for example, to allocate 2,596 unused allocations the county currently possesses and the effect of General Plan amendments, according to Reents. During Saturday's discussion, Reents will not only solicit opinions about allocations but about the jobs/housing balance, traffic and "what is bugging people." Appendices will include comments. Reents anticipates the report will be finalized in October. "We don't want to rush. The issues are too important to slap together (a report)," said Reents, who has written EIRs for San Luis Obispo County since 1979. Because Save the Mesa spurred the suit, she considers the group a major stakeholder. One whole section will address its lawsuit. A board and advocacy committee determine issues Save the Mesa will address. The advocacy committee recently submitted a position on the NCSD's proposed sphere of influence to the Local Agency Formation Commission. "Our name was at the top (of submissions mentioned)," said Ed Eby, director and chair of the advocacy committee. "We determine which issues are our issues," Eby said, adding the group declined to offer a statement about the recent proposal by a developer to relocate the Recreation Center to Hideo Kaminaka's strawberry patch off Pomeroy Road. He said the plan is merely conceptual at this point and doesn't warrant an official opinion. The group has also taken no position on cityhood to date. The group voted to actively oppose Nipomo Hills and Canada Ranch annexations, however, because of a perceived lack of water and adverse impact on traffic. Before taking a position, the board votes on an issue. "The vote is not always unanimous," Eby said. Both Eby and Buckmeyer emphasized Save the Mesa is not a single-issue group, but one of diverse members with differing opinions about horse right of ways, etc. Most in the group are relative newcomers to Nipomo, with the average member claiming a 10-year residency. Ninety-percent are homeowners, and the average age is 51. The range is from 38 to 94. About two-thirds live within the 93444 ZIP code; the rest dwell in rural Arroyo Grande. "We welcome diversity," said Buckmeyer, adding there are four current openings on the board of directors. Other committees include the membership committee, bylaws committee and education committee.

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Future goals include providing education, advocacy, monitoring and leadership - Save the Mesa's mission. Educational meetings are held monthly as are board meetings. "We want to provide education to whoever wants to come, about planning, land-use issues, etc.," Buckmeyer said. About 20 to 30 people attend each meeting. Monthly newsletters also go out. Save the Mesa representatives attend both community and county meetings. "We are one of the few groups that looks out for the interests of the area by going to these meetings," Eby said. "Not a lot slips by we don't see." Save the Mesa's particular, future aims include crafting a tree ordinance, studying area planning standards, analyzing proposed housing units and monitoring NCSD annexations. "The community needs to be brought up to speed on the great things Save the Mesa is doing," Eby concluded. For details about Save the Mesa, call Buckmeyer at 489-8384. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at 148 S. Wilson St. People who agree with the group's mission are invited to join for $15 a year.

The Web site is at www.savethemesa.org. Δ