Update from Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, District 4: Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Huasna, Edna Valley, California Valley, and unincorporated portions of San Luis Obispo

I hope you are doing well as we transition into the fall season. In light of recent high-profile emergencies both locally and nationally, I thought I would focus my updates this month on actions the County is taking to prepare our community for wildfires and other natural disasters, as well as a quick update on the Dana Reserve project.

Dana Reserve housing project update: The Dana Reserve housing project, which seeks to build more than 1,300 homes in Nipomo, is winding its way through the planning and permitting process. The South County Advisory Council voted to recommend denial of the project as proposed during their meeting on August 21. Their recommendation has been forwarded to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. At the time I am writing this, the Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the project on August 30 and August 31. However, I requested that the commission consider postponing the hearings at least 30 days in order for the commissioners and the public to have more time to review and assess the significant volume of documentation surrounding the project.

You can find the latest information on the project here or at sloplanning.org. As I have indicated to those who have reached out, I will carefully consider all public input when the project comes before the Board, but I will reserve my comments or take a position on the project until it comes time to vote on it.

"National Preparedness Month" in SLO County: Earlier this year we learned the true meaning of being prepared as unprecedented winter storms damaged homes and businesses, displaced residents, and cost many their livelihood. These storms are a reminder that disasters can and will happen here, and we need to be prepared for the hazards we face living in our county such as wildfires, floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes. The Board of Supervisors has proclaimed September 2023 as “National Preparedness Month” in SLO County to show the Board’s support for emergency preparedness locally.

Throughout the month of September, information will be disseminated by our Office of Emergency Services through news media, social media, and other methods to include general preparedness information. For example: how to engage children in the family emergency plan, planning for those who may need special assistance, information about public alerts and notifications during emergencies (such the Emergency Alert System), fire safety information, and earthquake preparedness.

As part of a new countywide evacuation planning project that launched August 1, residents throughout SLO County are encouraged to “know their evacuation zone.” Visit ReadySLO.org/evaczone to find your Evacuation Zone. You can also read more about the program here.

An update on fire service in Oceano: On September 12, the Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on the Oceano Community Services District’s (OCSD) application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for fire divestiture. The issues at hand are too extensive to go into detail here (although I encourage you to read my August District 4 Newsletter to learn more), but in short the County will be reviewing potential fire service level options for the community of Oceano now that the OCSD has begun the process of leaving the Five Cities Fire Authority. Anyone interested in learning more about this issue can attend in person or watch online. As the Board reviews this complicated matter, we must consider the fire protection needs of each community in the unincorporated area and make balanced policy for the whole county.

Office hours: I welcome hearing from constituents. Please schedule an appointment by emailing district4@co.slo.ca.us or calling 805-781-4337. You can also sign up for my email newsletter and learn more about what’s going on in the district on the District 4 webpage at slocounty.ca.gov/district4.

Sincerely,
Jimmy Paulding
San Luis Obispo County
District 4 Supervisor