Transcript Item 17A Schmidt - CAL

29350 Pacific Coast Highway Ste 12 Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: 310-589-0773
Rich History of Agriculture in Santa
Monica Mountains
Rich History of Agriculture in Santa
Monica Mountains
Rich History of Agriculture in Santa
Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains agricultural history is deeply rooted in the
Homestead Act of 1862. This act created many of the agricultural
properties in this region.
Rich History of Agriculture in Santa
Monica Mountains
Coastal Commission Staff claims that the Santa Monica Mountains have
never been particularly suitable for agriculture
Vineyards & Orchards
Vineyards
Vineyards
There are MULTIPLE award-winning wineries in the Santa Monica
Mountains region
Coastal Act Prioritizes Agricultural Use
Section 30241 provides that: “The maximum
amount of prime agricultural land shall be
maintained in agricultural production to
assure the protection of the area’s
agricultural economy.”
Lack of Analysis of Prime Agricultural Land
No Input or Analysis from Farm Bureau
Santa Monica Mountains
No Input or Analysis from the California Department of Food &
Agriculture
are Prime Agricultural Land
Public Resources Code Sec. 30113: "Prime agricultural land" means
those lands defined in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (c)
of Section 51201 of the Government Code.
Government Code Section 51021(C)
(c) “Prime agricultural land” means any of the following:
(4) Land planted with fruit- or nut-bearing trees, vines, bushes, or
crops which have a nonbearing period of less than five years and which
will normally return during the commercial bearing period on an annual
basis from the production of unprocessed agricultural plant production
not less than two hundred dollars ($200) per acre.
Vineyards – Prime Growing Regions
Croatia
Spain
Italy
Malibu Coast Viticulture Area
Coastal Act Prioritizes Agricultural Use
Section 30242 provides that all other lands
suitable for agricultural use shall not
be converted “to nonagricultural use
unless continued or renewed
agricultural use is not feasible.”
2014 Santa Monica Mountains LUP
2014 Santa Monica Mountains Land Use Plan policies CO-102 through CO-106
pertain to agriculture.
CO-102/LU-11: New crop-based, private and commercial
agricultural uses shall only be allowed if it is demonstrated that
they will be consistent with all other LCP policies and will meet all
of the following criteria:
• The new agricultural uses are limited to one of the following
areas:
The building site area allowed by Policy CO-51 and Fuel
Modification Zones A and B on natural slopes of 3:1 or less steep.
On natural slopes 3:1 or less steep in H3 habitat areas.
Areas currently in legal agricultural use.
• New vineyards are prohibited.
• Organic or Biodynamic farming practices are followed.
Existing, legally-established agricultural uses shall be allowed to
continue but may only be expanded consistent with the above
criteria. Gardens located within the building site area of both
residential and non-residential uses, or Fuel Modification Zones A
and B, may be allowed, consistent with Policy CO-54
New Vineyards Are Prohibited
Root System
· Tap roots can reach depths of 7
meters, while lateral roots can spread up
to 10 meters according to UC Davis Studies.
· Dry farming and limited irrigation practices
encourage roots to grow deeper to
search for ground water.
· 85% of California’s soil is moisture rich
enough to support grapevines without
additional irrigation.
· Grape vines require 70% less water than
citrus and avocado trees, and 90% less water
than traditional landscaping plant species.
Cover Cropping & Native Cover
· Greatly reduces top soil erosion during
heavy precipitation and reduces airborne
dust in windy environments.
· Used as insectary plants to bring in
beneficial insects and spiders that
feed on the pests, thus reducing dependency
on chemical pesticides.
· Suppress weed growth between vine rows,
In turn reducing use of chemical herbicides.
·Increase soil fertility through nitrogen fixation
and mineral depositing. Reduce need for
additional fertilizers.
Residences as a Primary-Permitted Use
Residences are the primary permitted use on properties designated as
“Rural Lands” in the Santa Monica Mountains Land Use Plan.
Page 152 of the Staff Report
Page 97 of the Land Use Plan
Coastal Act Prioritizes Agricultural Use
Section 30222 provides that “The use of
private lands suitable for visitor-serving
commercial recreational facilities designed to
enhance public opportunities for coastal
recreation shall have priority over private
residential, general industrial, or general
commercial development, but not over
agricultural…industry.”
Wine Tasting Rooms
Wine Tours
Vineyards and Agriculture
are Visitor Serving
Wine Tours Play a
Major Role in
Promoting Visitors
to the Coastal Zone
Conclusion
The Santa Monica Mountains are filled with diverse,
Postpone
and have workshop on vineyards
successful and thriving agricultural operations.
and
appropriate development standards for
agriculture,
Sections 30241 and 30242
of the Coastal Act prioritize
agricultural lands and protects them from being taken out
of circulation.
Or
Section 30222
thatvineyards
agricultural use
THE
Approve
LUP,provides
allowing
andisremoving
priority use over all other uses.
development standards to be addressed in
the LIP.
The 2014 Santa Monica Mountains LCP
new vineyards.
PROHIBITS
Thank You