28 April 1997 

Tim and Carol Nelson
5405 Coast Road
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

Dear Tim and Carol - 

It is my pleasure to inform you that the RBDA Executive Board voted at its last meeting to present you with a year’s family membership in the RBDA as a token of its appreciation for all the work you have done on the Association’s webpage. 

Seeing the site up and running and looking as good as it is, the Board has been quite excited by its prospects for the future. Thanks ever so much for your generosity and expertise in making it a reality. 

Sincerely, 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 
 
 
 

13 April 1997 

3rd District Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
700 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

Dear Supervisor Wormhoudt 

We are writing to you in regards to roadside spraying. As you recall, last year the issue was discussed at several RBDA meetings, after Bob Leporini and some folks from Public Works came up to pitch a spray program. The sense was that people up here were generally opposed to the idea and a deal was struck calling off the spraying for a year in order to give residents an opportunity to remove the broom and obviate the need for spraying. 

The anti-spray sentiment hasn’t diminished; while the results of residents’ initiative in eradicating the broom on their own have been mixed, but encouraging. Considerable stretches of roadside up here have been well dealt with, while others are in glorious golden bloom as we write. 

The Board feels a deal was made with Public Works for a year’s amnesty, and that that year is up. We have some major concerns however, now that the door is theoretically open to spraying again: 

1) The window of opportunity for an effective spray program is virtually over for this year already. Most of the broom has peaked, seed is being set and the chance to "do it right" is simply past. We feel the best that can be done now is simply to mow the worst areas and try again next year when the department has planned ahead. 

2) If Public Works feels compelled to go ahead with any kind of spray program, we recommend that they test a method endorsed by a number of property owners (one of whom is the director of the UCSC Arboretum) which is a method that is NOT found in the use manuals for the chemicals. Nonetheless, it works, and has qualities to recommend it over the standard methods of application. The method is this: spray immediately upon cutting, within an hour. The freshly cut stalks are extremely receptive to the chemical. The plan outlined in the past was to cut early, and to let it grow back a bit to present a foliar crown, then go back a second time and spray. This alternative method eliminates the second trip. It thereby has two distinct advantages: considerably less spray, and considerably reduced staff time dealing with it. If Public Works got on this immediately, they could head off a seed crop.
Again, however, we don’t feel there’s much time left. 

3) If they decide to do any spraying, Public Works must determine very carefully where there has been significant effort to pull weeds so they don’t spray those areas. Their track record in this regard is not good, we have fielded numerous complaints about this. The department’s talk about "computer-controlled" spraying and notification being handled through their office has not at all been borne out by the actions of the road crews. This is one of the most critical areas of concern to the neighbors up here: communication has never been translated into action. 

To begin to pinpoint: all of Smith Grade is out of the picture. Areas around the school have been carefully dealt with, as have stretches of Martin Road, various stretches of Empire Grade (particularly the upper part), Pine Flat Road and so on. These must be identified and the work and the wishes of the residents honored. Gathering this information will require considerable organization. Perhaps the RBDA can help here; we have received several proposals for identifying and signing "no-spray" areas. 

We would suggest, if they insist on doing anything this year, that Public Works simply mow. They sprayed lower Bonny Doon Road last year much too late in the season, after seed had been dropped. As a result, the crop there again is enormous - a year later, that spraying has obviously had no effect. On the other hand, mowing is greatly appreciated by folks who drive the roads. To date the only effective method of weed abatement is mowing. 

In closing, we feel Public Works needs to do some homework on plant flowering and seed-setting cycles and implement a more realistic schedule accordingly. Perhaps they could try the method we suggest above on a small stretch of road (very soon) and check the results. 

We trust you will share these concerns with the appropriate parties in County administration. 

Thanks very much for your continued attention to this issue. 
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary

                                                                                        21 August 1997
 

Ms. Lacy Holtzworth
POSCS
9000 Soquel Avenue, Ste 101
Santa Cruz, California 95062 

Dear Ms. Holtzworth - 

At its bi-monthly meeting the other night, the RBDA board voted unanimously to submit to you our nominee for the Bonny Doon representative on the North Coast Beaches Advisory Committee. His name is Ben Harmon, he resides at 5510 Coast Road, Santa Cruz CA 95060. His telephone number is 459-7752, and e-mail is <benh@dascom.com>.

Should you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me. My home phone is 427-1143, e-mail is music@cruzio.com. 

Sincerely,
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 
 

CC: Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
 

3rd District Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
700 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

Dear Supervisor Wormhoudt - 

The RBDA Executive Board wishes to go on record in opposition to any use of helicopters in the Bonny Doon Planning Area for reasons other than emergencies. We refer directly to two specific instances that are upon us: 

1) CAMP helicopters. While we in no way wish to take a position on the Sheriff’s law-enforcement activities, we very strongly feel there is no call for the use of helicopters. They are a noise nuisance second-to-none, and they constitute an invasion of privacy for the overwhelming majority of Bonny Doon residents who are law-abiding and who justifiably feel their right to privacy and tranquillity is being grossly violated by the helicopter activity. 

2) Helicopter logging. One THP with helicopter logging has already been approved for Bonny Doon and is due to begin any day, while the approval of another is imminent. The permitted hours of operation and the permitted length of time for the helicopter phase of the harvesting make the activity unacceptable. The sheer decibel level of these enormous aircraft cannot be overemphasized. Furthermore, we feel the notification procedure about such activities is inadequate: there is no mention of helicopter harvesting in the public notice of a THP, thus citizens are deprived of appropriate response opportunities. 

Above all, the noise issue is justification enough for their complete exclusion from the area. 

Bonny Doon is home to several thousand people at this point. It is not empty wilderness, nor is it industrial timberland. It is a large and rather full neighborhood. The wishes of the people who live here must be respected. It is in this spirit that we relate our thinking on the above two matters. 

Thanks very much for your concern. 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 
 

CC: Assemblymember Fred Keeley 
       California Dep’t of Forestry
       Sheriff Mark Tracy
       Adios CAMP
 

1 May 1997
Assemblymember Fred Keeley 
27th Assembly District
701 Ocean, Room 318B 
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Sacramento fax: (916) 445-1826 

Dear Assemblymember Keeley - 

Regarding the imminent passing-on of Gray Whale Ranch by Save-the-Redwoods League to State Parks, we write to express a deep concern over several related issues regarding public use of this wonderful treasure in our midst. We hope you can aid in facilitating a process to resolve some of these issues before public entry to the park is granted. To wit: 

Interim Public Use. The IPU policy of the transfer gives us great concern over the hasty access of large numbers of people to a park that is thus far without a comprehensive environmental review, management or use plan. A land use master plan and a habitat conservation plan should be completed and observed in the designation of uses for the park. 

Enforcement. As important as sound public use policy is the ability of State Parks to enforce the policy. To date, we know of no plan or budget for this important matter. Big Basin and Wilder Ranch are not encouraging examples. We make this comment in respectful consideration of the lamentable budgetary confines within which the State Parks must operate. 

Various other concerns. 
- Road widening and grading has already occurred in conjunction with a recent cyclist rally  that seems quite inconsistent with the preservation of the park’s natural beauty. 
- There are properties bordering the park that have major unresolved concerns regarding illegal access to the park through private property, and vice-versa. 
- Issues of access to the park from the Twin Gates area have gone forward without correct oversight on the part of either the Park management or the University. 
- Parking along roads, and ingress from those roads, promises to be a major future concern. 
  With only Highway One access, Wilder Ranch has serious problems, while Gray Whale is surrounded and criss-crossed by county roads. 
- Though the park is not yet even open to the public, it has become obvious that there is a significant problem with mountain bikes on single-track trails which have already left a dismayingly  pronounced mark on some of the more remote reaches of the park property. To date, there is  no policy about trail use, although our experience with Wilder Ranch tells us there is an urgent  need for such policy. 

We recommend these things: 

- Formation of a committee to include various local people who have a history of involvement in park policy, and a vested interest in seeing a wise policy implemented with State Park officials. 
  We urge you to particularly choose some who were instrumental in helping save the park in the first place. We feel that such a committee is essential and is urgently needed now. 

- At the very least, we recommend some sort of public review process so that the concerns of the local community can be heard and absorbed into working policy before the park is completely opened to the public. Too little is known about the park’s resources, and too many people are chafing at the bit to get in and use it before any worthy use policy has been formulated or any plan for enforcement is in place. 

- Please reconsider the implementation of the IPU plan. Immediate use could work if State Parks can guarantee that use be very strictly limited to a few primary large trails, and that these use limits be vigilantly monitored and very strongly enforced. If harm is coming to the park, particularly to environmentally precarious areas, we urge that usage be halted until the above conditions can be met. 

As you well know, the people of Santa Cruz County have persevered many years to secure this place, and are justifiably proud that this gem is safe from commercial exploitation. Certainly a few crucial discussions to plan and implement sound management cannot be too much to ask. 

Thank you so much for your consideration of this pressing matter. We look forward to hearing back from you in the near future. 
 

Sincerely, 
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 
 

CC: 3rd District Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
        State Senator Bruce McPherson 
        State Department of Parks and Recreation, Central Coast District

22 April 1997 

California State Dep’t of Fish and Game
Region 3 Headquarters 
7329 Silverado Trail 
Napa, CA 94558 
(707) 944-5517
(707) 944-5500 - info
(707) 944-5563 - fax
 

To Whom It May Concern - 

We would like to review a copy of the draft management plan for the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve. Could you mail a copy to us at the above address? 

Thanks very much. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 

5 November 1997 

To The California Coastal Commission: 

Our organization represents citizens of approximately 1500 households adjacent to Gray Whale Ranch, most of whom also must drive through the ranch in order to get from their homes to town. We understand the following, from your hearing notification letter of 17 October. It reads, in part, as follows: 

"Staff recommends that the Commission approve with conditions the proposed Public Works Plan and the specifc [sic] project requests as submitted by the California Department of Parks & Recreation. The conditions require more detailed final plans and address sensitive habitat protection and recreational opportunities for various user groups." 

We would like to comment on certain "specific project requests as submitted by the California Department of Parks & Recreation."

1) We are deeply concerned about trail use, particularly how the burgeoning trail system of single-track trails is already affecting both the environment of the park itself and how the trails in the park are impacting the private lands around the park. Even if there were a comprehensive trail-use policy prepared, we fear there is completely inadequate resources for enforcing such a policy. 

2) The plan for the parking lot at Twin Gates is extremely ill-advised for several reasons: 

- One is the certain impact traffic will have on the mima mound area there. 

- Another is the very shortsighted plan to put in a single-lane road to a parking lot intended for horse trailers. Trailers don’t back up well, particularly to make way for yet other trucks pulling trailers. The meadow area is extremely sensitive habitat for certain endangered plants and insects and cannot possibly bear the pressure of such a facility even if it was done in a minimally adequate way. The current plan is not even minimally adequate. 

- The most compelling argument, however, centers on road safety. Several years ago, the CHP did a speed and traffic study of Empire Grade to reevaluate the speed limit. They posted surveillance equipment along that stretch of the road by Twin Gates and found the average driver travels that stretch at 63 mph. This is not the high end of speed traveled there, it is the average speed for that stretch of road! It is also perhaps the only place on Empire Grade where it is possible to safely pass the myriad gravel trucks that travel between the Felton Quarry and town - along the only designated route that type of traffic is allowed to use. To put an intersection for a parking lot into the stretch of Empire Grade that bears the most and the fastest traffic is an invitation to a catastrophe. 

We offer three suggestions: 

1)  Require the adoption of the trail use plan currently in use at the East Bay Regional Parks (copy enclosed). It has been in use there for some years. It’s a "win-win" for all potential trail users, be they equestrians, cyclists or walkers. It designates certain trails for certain types of use and engages the users themselves to help keep it orderly and in good shape. 

2)  Categorically deny the plans for the parking lot at Twin Gates and require relocating the lot to another site that will not have the inevitable potential for environmental degradation and damage to human life and property. The current plan is extremely imprudent. 

3) Require an effective and comprehensive management plan, including personnel for enforcement of user policy, before the park is opened to the public. 

A great deal of this park is much too precious to squander as recreational real estate, and deserves to be designated as a preserve. There is still enough of it left however to provide ample opportunities for recreational use by one and all without injuring the land - but only if proper planning takes place. 

Please start this park out with an enlightened trail policy and please start over with the idea of a parking lot. Human health and safety are at stake. The health of the land itself is at stake too. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Sincerely
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 

Santa Cruz Visitors and Convention Bureau
 

19 June 1997

Thanks very much for your inquiry - and our apologies for the long delay in getting back. Your letter was sent to the wrong person on our board. 

Mr Bratton is no longer affiliated with the RBDA, having moved to town and out of our Planning Area. 

As you can see above, the RBDA address has also changed. 

Since our officers change annually, it might be best to address any future correspondence to the Chairperson of the organization. 

I hope this gets us up to date with you. Thanks again! 

Sincerely,
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 

                                                                                                    22 October 1997 

TO: Mardi Wormhoudt, Third District Supervisor 

RE:  Bed and Breakfast Application 97-   0668, et al 

Dear Supervisor Wormhoudt - 

In response to concerns raised by residents of Bonny Doon and members of the Rural  Bonny Doon Association, the Executive Board has examined issues surrounding the permitting process for Bed and Breakfasts in rural areas and has resolved to: 

a)  call into question the fundamental permitting procedures set forth in County Code 
b)  oppose the bed and breakfast application (97-0668) submitted by Nicholas Riefsteck. 

The reasons for our position are as follows: 

-   Bonny Doon is a rural community. The residents have historically been unalterably opposed to all new commercial development in Bonny Doon beyond the home occupations engaged in by many of the residents. 

-   The Bed and Breakfast Inns Code (13.10.691) has not been updated since 1985 and, 
as we understand it, is not in compliance with the 1994 General Plan section 2.16.2. 

-   We feel the Level IV public notification process (Code 18.10.222, requiring notice on only properties within 300 feet from subject property or l0 adjacent properties, whether they have active households or not) is thoroughly inadequate for a rural area such as Bonny Doon. 

-   Furthermore, it is not routine for the B&B application notice from the Planner to either provide the address of the subject property or specify the scope of the project (number of bedrooms being requested).  It is our underlying sensibility that even a simple B&B has the potential to impact the neighborhood in which it is located, yet the neighborhood is generally excluded from reasonable notice or input. 

-   The magnitude of this particular commercial  project is greater than anything that has previously been permitted in Bonny Doon. This 8 lot property has a main house with 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, a guest house with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, and a cottage with an unspecified number of rooms that has its own septic system. Though a maximum of 5 beds is permitted by the Code, there is no mechanism for oversight by the County to insure that this would remain a 5 bedroom operation. Given its location bordering Fall Creek Park, at the top of an equestrian trail known as Lost Empire Trail, given that it has extensive recreational facilities (swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, etc.), we are rather skeptical that this will prove to be a modest little mom-   and-   pop B&B. 

-   The 1994 General Plan, Section 2.16.2 , Location of Visitor Accommodations in Rural Areas, states that "Visitor-   serving facilities that cannot feasibly be located in existing developed areas shall be located in existing isolated developments or at selected points of attraction for visitors, where adequate public services, such as water, public sanitation facilities, roads and fire protection are available." 

-   We question the meaning of the term  "isolated," particularly whether this portion of Empire Grade can be described as "isolated," given that this is a rural residential neighborhood of single-   family homes on small parcels, on the edge of one of the more densely settled parts of Bonny Doon. Can it be logically interpreted as having "adequate public services?" We seriously doubt this. Bonny Doon is completely dependent on private wells for water and private septic tanks and drain fields for sanitation. In fact, the proposed B&B, like the rest of Bonny Doon, has only a modicum of such services, for example frontage on a County road and a volunteer fire service. It is approximately nine miles from town and has neither public water nor public sewers. 

-   The statutes appear, at best, ambiguous. What do the terms "isolated" and "development" mean? How isolated is "isolated?" Does "public" refer to publicly supplied services, or facilities for the public? It makes little sense to us that the County would expect an "isolated development" to have access to public sewage or water lines. These issues need clarification before a policy can be implemented or a permit justifiably issued. 

-   Indeed, one would think this potential resort, where most of the square footage is reserved for guests, not residents, becomes a change of use, perhaps requiring the new facility to be brought into compliance with current Code for new dwellings (or commercial structures) which requires a fire sprinkler system be installed? If the Lost Empire Inn doesn't have one, it certainly seems appropriate for such an "isolated" location. 
-   We also believe a B&B should be operated by a resident owner. 

It is our opinion that this specific application amply illustrates the inadequacy of the County's process and ordinances. Numerous points about this specific proposal have been brought to our attention by concerned neighbors, too many to go into here in sufficient depth. 

What we are convinced of is that the entire permitting process for B&Bs in areas such as Bonny Doon is inadequate and needs to be reexamined and redefined from top to bottom. 

Without any substantive review by the County and without adequate notification and accounting of public input, this specific project promises far too many potential problems and impacts upon its surrounding neighborhood. While we certainly do not oppose the small B&Bs like some that have already come into being in Bonny Doon, we are struck by the enormous potential for future large-   scale commercial endeavors in this area that can begin by masquerading as simple Bed and Breakfast facilities. 

We urge you to bring this issue to the Supervisors and request a review of the process before the permit for application 97-   0668 is issued. 

Thank you very much for your attention and consideration. We look forward to hearing back from you. 

Sincerely, 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 

CC: Cathy Graves, Planning Dep’t. 

17 June 1997 

David K. Vincent
Department of Parks and Recreation
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

RE: Gray Whale Ranch Interim Use Plan 

Dear Mr. Vincent - 

We request that the deadline for comment on the Gray Whale Ranch Interim Use Plan be extended. It just came to our attention yesterday that the Interim Use Plan had been released for comment. Our organization never received a copy and only yesterday learned informally of its existence. We have some very serious concerns but at this late date cannot hope to formulate a reply in the few days before the comment period is closed. 

Furthermore, we know of at least one significant party that was also never included for comment that should be consulted: the Bonny Doon Emergency Rescue Team. This branch of the Fire Team routinely deals with emergencies throughout Bonny Doon. Since part of the Interim Use Plan entails access on Empire Grade at a location very well-known for its high incidence of traffic and jogging casualties, we feel it is imperative that their input be considered. 

The RBDA has been expecting to hear from your office on this matter and hopes you will extend this deadline in order to obtain appropriate comment from all legitimately interested parties. 

Sincerely, 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary 

CC: Assemblyman Fred Keeley
       Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
       Robert Ueltzen
 

5 July 1997
Bonny Doon Volunteer Fire/Rescue Inc.
Board of Directors
975 Martin Road
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

Dear Board members - 

Thank you for your letter of 5 June, and please pardon our long delay in answering it. 

In fact, at our last Board meeting on 11 June (at which time we had not yet received your letter) the Board resolved to contact you and request a joint meeting at which some of the issues you raised in your letter could be aired face-to-face and, hopefully resolved. That resolve was waylaid by some vacations and work absences. In light of your letter, which has actually just arrived in our hands, that prospect has taken on an extra air of urgency. 

The RBDA has never sought other than to create community and to honestly report on the doings of other community groups, like yours, whose work we support.  It is therefore distressing to us all that our efforts are, in your eyes, having the opposite effect. We hope that some of your Board and officers would be amenable to such a get-together soon. 

If the notion is agreeable, give our board chair Ted Benhari a call at 426-5053, and we’ll try to set up a time and place directly. 

Cordially, 
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary
 
 
 

CC: Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
Senior Captain Chuck Springmeyer
Captains Todd Meyer and David Wade
 

25 September 1997 

Dear Sheriff Tracy - 

Thank you for your letter of July 1st, and please accept my apologies for such a delay in replying to it. Our mail system over the summer suffered some organizational lapses and a few things got temporarily  lost in the shuffle. 

You asked if we might propose a liaison from our association to work with someone from your office on "issues of police safety." Our board discussed this at its last meeting and feels that some sort of on-going citizen’s committee would be an excellent idea. Is this perhaps what you were suggesting? If so, we would be happy to put some effort into finding and proposing someone to participate. We have been called upon in the past by County officials to do such a thing. Apropos, we very recently proposed a new member for the North Coast Beaches Advisory Committee, a position that is officially appointed by the Supervisors. 

As you may or may not know, our organization 1) considers and takes positions on development proposals and other issues affecting Bonny Doon, 2) advocates positions of the Association on issues affecting Bonny Doon to responsible governmental agencies and officers as well as to private parties directly involved in the issues, 3) endeavors to keep the membership informed, through speakers and a newsletter, of events and proposals affecting Bonny Doon property owners and residents, and 4) acts as a clearinghouse for information affecting the interests of the membership. 

With this in mind, we would be happy to try to find an appropriate community member to meet with others on some sort of advisory committee. Let us know if we understand correctly what you’re after, and let us also know what sort of time commitment or meeting schedule might be involved. 

We look forward to hearing from you, and promise a more prompt reply in the future. 

Cordially, 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary 

CC: Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt

20 October 1997 

Mark Tracy, Sheriff-Coroner
701 Ocean Street, Rm 340
Santa Cruz, California 95060 

Dear Sheriff Tracy - 

Thanks very much for your phonecall the other day. Pursuant to our conversation and to the letters exchanged so far, our Executive Board would like to propose Mr John Forbes as a representative to your committee on issues of mutual concern to your department and our community. Mr Forbes is a longtime and very devoted member of the Bonny Doon Fire and Rescue service here, many times past chief of that organization and a veteran emergency service worker. As a very active and valuable member of our community for thirty years, John will bring a wealth of experience to any dialogue you might have. 

Thank you very much. 

Cordially,
 
 
 

Paul Hostetter
Corresponding Secretary 

                                                                               John Forbes
                                                                               Bonny Doon Art Glass
                                                                               7258 Empire Grade
                                                                               Bonny Doon, California 95060
                                                                                           tel: 426-5828
 
 

CC: Supervisor Mardi Wormhoudt
        John Forbes