Trouble in Tortuga!
A Rangeland Conflict Simulation Exercise

Confidential Instructions
Brady Euclid, County Planner

You have spent three years developing a very thoughtful, prudent comprehensive plan for the county. Now some people seem ready to throw all that hard work and careful planning out the window at the first sign of quick cash. It is annoying that after all the public meetings and long hours of revisions, people seem ready to abandon the plan.

Sidney Stone's development as it currently stands will throw everything out of whack. Locating such a large development on the east side of Tortuga is totally inconsistent with the county plan. For one thing, traffic through town on Route 96 would be a disaster. But you also have a personal interest in redirecting the development. As a member of ROR (Recreational Off-Roaders), you want to preserve public access through the X-Bar Ranch, since the old mining trails up in the mountains are just incredible. With private development of that land, off-road access will likely be closed off. For both reasons, new development ought to be sited on the west side of Tortuga.

Stone's proposal does have some appeal, though. The increase in tax ratables to the community will be significant. The County Board of Supervisors-- particularly board chairperson Frances Townelder--supports the plan. And cluster development has the potential for saving more open space. However, there has got to be a reduction in the total number of units being proposed, given the fiscal and transportation impacts. The increase in ratables may not pay for all the new infrastructure needs that the development may require. At the very least, you want to be sure to negotiate the terms of any subdivision plan approval to cover some of these impacts. You need Stone to agree to underwrite such things as traffic lights, road widenings, water conservation measures, and public facilities. This may not be the appropriate forum for such negotiations, but you won't be endorsing the zoning change without some contingent agreement.