Coastal Commission to consider Davenport barn project The California Coastal Commission will consider a proposed building project in Davenport tentatively scheduled for its May meeting in Carmel. Many readers may have noticed the dilapidated barn on the right side of Highway 1 when entering Davenport from Santa Cruz. David Luers, the project applicant, has proposed building a three-story commercial structure adjacent to the San Vicente Creek riparian corridor, with a zero-foot setback, instead of the required 50-foot buffer between the project and the riparian corridor. The riparian corridor is habitat for the California red-legged frog, a Federally-listed species and State-listed “species of special concern.” Run-off from the project will enter nearby San Vicente Creek through sub-surface water sources. San Vicente Creek is a protected stream which is known habitat for State and Federally-listed coho salmon and steelhead. When this proposal was approved by the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission, the Club appealed the project to the Coastal Commission which accepted jurisdiction. The Commission cited six significant issues, including the need to protect the riparian corridor and concerns regarding surface drainage, water quality, water availability, traffic circulation, viewshed and Special Community compatibility, as well as overall cumulative impact. We encourage Sierra Club members to write the Coastal Commission in regards to Appeal A-3-SCO-02-117, asking the Commission to protect our valuable riparian corridors: California Coastal Commission, 725 Front Street, Suite 300, Santa Cruz, California 95060.

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