My opponent has been spreading lots of misinformation about me. Get the facts about the battery storage project, my support for Proposition 13, the salary increase I declined, and how I’ve made roads a priority.
For years, real estate developers had a friend in the District 4 Supervisor. They donated more than $150,000 to elect former Supervisor Lynn Compton and keep her in power. And during that time, Nipomo and the rest of South County saw unprecedented growth. It’s hard to name a housing project that Lynn Compton didn’t vote to approve.
I first ran for District 4 Supervisor in 2018 because I knew we needed someone who wasn’t beholden to developers. Yes, we need housing, but that doesn’t mean sprawling luxury developments are the answer. We need to preserve the hills, oak woodlands, and farmland that make this place special while focusing on building housing that our families, seniors, and workforce can actually afford.
I ran on a commitment that I would judge every housing project fairly and independently and only vote to approve a project if it was right for South County. That’s why I pledged not to accept campaign contributions from real estate developers—a promise I have kept since 2018.
Developers didn’t like that, and they spent tens of thousands of dollars to defeat me. They knew they couldn’t buy my vote.
After I was elected in 2023, they especially didn’t like that I voted against the Dana Reserve project, one of the largest and most controversial housing projects in South County history. A project that increases the Nipomo population by 25%, adding more than 1400 homes and requiring the removal of 3000 native oak trees was clearly not the right fit for a community that needs more investment in roads, parks, and public safety.
Now those same developers that controlled South County before I was elected are desperately fighting to get the District 4 seat back, and they’ve found their perfect candidate in Adam Verdin. Someone who doesn’t have a problem accepting tens of thousands of dollars from them. Someone who used to work for the Dana Reserve developer. And most importantly, someone who will rubber stamp any housing project they put forward regardless of its impacts on the surrounding community.
I refuse to let South County go back to a time when developers controlled our future. We need someone who will focus on real affordability issues but also isn’t afraid to say “No” to a project if it isn’t right for our community.
That’s been my position from day one, and why I’m running for re-election. I hope you’ll join me in this fight.
I’m Jimmy Paulding and I ask for your vote on or before June 2, 2026.
Jimmy’s opponent has claimed that Jimmy helped get the Caballero Battery Storage Project approved in Nipomo. That’s false, and the “evidence” he’s sharing are from emails that were sent more than a year after the project had already been approved by the Planning Commission in June 2023.
Here are the facts:
Jimmy never voted on the battery storage project. And he had zero communication with the developer until after the project was approved.
So during a radio interview when Jimmy said the project “wasn’t even on my radar” before the project was approved, that was the truth. The project had not received any public interest or opposition, and he not been involved with it in any capacity.
Listen to the full Dave Congalton radio interview here (discussion starts around 13:53)
In December 2024 — nearly 18 months after the project had been fully approved by the Planning Commission — the project developer contacted Jimmy’s office with permitting questions. Jimmy’s staff helped facilitate communication with County departments to ensure timely responses. That is a standard constituent service he provides to property owners, businesses, and residents across the district on a near weekly basis.
Here’s what Jimmy’s opponent doesn’t want you to know. Email records show that the battery storage project had been shared with former Supervisor Lynn Compton as far back 2019, yet she did nothing to alert the community or try to stop it.
If Adam Verdin believes Jimmy had a responsibility to warn the community about this project, why didn’t Lynn Compton—who has endorsed Adam—do so anytime during the 3 years she knew about the project while she was in office?
After the Moss Landing fire in January 2025, people in our community understandably began raising concerns about battery storage. Jimmy responded by improving the County’s notification standards for energy projects, helped organize additional safety training at the facility, and advocated for state legislation that has since increased battery safety requirements.
What did Adam Verdin do? He said he doesn’t have anything against battery storage projects and even declined to say he would have voted against the project if he had had a chance to do so (Dave Congalton Radio Interview 4/28/26).
Jimmy has always supported the taxpayer protections of Proposition 13. He’s also voted to ensure that support for Prop 13 was included in the County’s Legislative Platform every year he’s been a County Supervisor.
Adam Verdin claims the Legislative Platform Jimmy voted for in 2023 didn’t support Prop 13. That’s nonsense. Here’s the exact language from the platform:
“Oppose any legislation or initiative that proposes to modify Proposition 13. Specifically, oppose any proposal that would weaken the homeowner protections afforded by Proposition 13 by increasing or eliminating the 2% cap on annual property tax increases for homeowners. Oppose any legislation or proposal that would establish a so-called ‘Split Roll’ for property tax, which would thereby reduce protections for commercial property owners.”
Clear as day. Jimmy fully supports Prop 13 and always has.
It’s been suggested that Jimmy “voted himself a 26% pay raise,” but the truth is that Jimmy’s pay has stayed virtually the same the entire time he’s been in office.
While he voted to approve a salary increase for future County Supervisors back in 2023, Jimmy declined any raise for himself.
Former District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold didn’t even decline her own pay raise, and she received the Central Coast Taxpayers Association’s Hero of the Taxpayer Award!
Don’t believe it? Check out the records from Transparent California.
By declining the raise, Jimmy saved SLO County taxpayers over $65,000 during his first term.
And this isn’t the first time he’s declined a raise. As a member of the Arroyo Grande City Council, Jimmy voted against a council pay raise—twice.
Maintaining our roads and infrastructure has always been a critical responsibility of local government. Jimmy has made sure it’s a priority for the Board of Supervisors. The County has maintained consistent funding for our roads since 2017, and the data shows our Pavement Condition Index or PCI (essentially our road report card) has gone up in recent years.
Importantly, South County has seen big improvements since 2021:
That’s possible because the County has repaved 227 miles of roads since the year Jimmy was elected.
And when the Board received a recent report showing more funding was needed for the Road program, Jimmy directed staff to bring back a plan to increase funding in next year’s budget so we can keep our pavement program fully funded.
Public safety is not a talking point—it is the most fundamental responsibility of local government. Every family deserves to know that when they need help, trained professionals will respond quickly, communicate clearly, and act with professionalism and care. Over the past three years in office, I have focused my efforts on strengthening public safety across San Luis Obispo County, with particular attention to South County, where growth and call volume have long outpaced infrastructure.
None of this work happens in isolation. It is made possible by the dedication of the men and women of the CAL FIRE / County Fire, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the Probation Department, and the Office of Emergency Services. Their daily commitment to protecting our communities is the foundation upon which every policy decision and capital investment rests. My role has been to ensure they have the resources, staffing, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Fire protection is essential infrastructure in a county as large and geographically diverse as ours. I worked closely with fire leadership and my Board colleagues to adopt a comprehensive Fire Strategic Plan that prioritizes staffing, station placement, and response standards across all communities.
One of the most significant outcomes is in Nipomo, where Fire Station 70 (formerly 20) now operates with three-person engine crews, the first unincorporated town in the county to reach this staffing level. This station handles the highest call volume in unincorporated areas, and the added staffing improves firefighter safety, response effectiveness, and resident outcomes.
In East Arroyo Grande, progress is finally underway on a long-standing need. I was able to secure funding for a feasibility study for a new fire station near Biddle Park, on land generously offered by the Talley family. Once funded and constructed, this station will dramatically improve response times for East AG and surrounding neighborhoods.
When the Oceano Community Services District could no longer sustain fire services, I worked hard to make sure the County would step in to ensure continuity. We assumed responsibility and contracted with the Five Cities Fire Authority with nearly $1 million in new funding, maintaining service levels without raising taxes and preserving reliable fire protection for residents.
Additional investments include repairs to storm-damaged infrastructure following the 2023 federal disaster, and expanded wildfire prevention programs that help protect homes and communities before fire season begins.
South County residents have been clear for years: response times matter, visibility matters, and equitable access to law enforcement matters. Turning those concerns into results required more than good intentions—it required hands-on collaboration and persistent advocacy.
I spent hours working directly with the Sheriff to understand operational realities, determine facility needs, and ensure the proposed solution would truly serve South County for decades to come. Together, we developed a plan that was both operationally sound and fiscally responsible. I then advocated at the Board level to secure the necessary funding.
That work paid off. We successfully secured $12 million to fund a new Sheriff’s substation in Nipomo. The project's design is nearing completion, and the project is on track to be under construction by 2027. Once operational, this facility will significantly improve response times, enhance law enforcement presence, and ensure South County residents receive the level of service they deserve. It stands as a strong example of what respectful partnership between elected officials and public safety leadership can achieve.
Behind every emergency response is a communications system that must work without fail. The completion of the new Public Safety Communications Center in Templeton represents a major step forward. This modern facility strengthens coordination between the Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE, and other emergency responders, enabling faster, clearer communication during wildfires, medical emergencies, and major incidents. It is an investment that improves outcomes when seconds matter.
Public safety also includes what happens after the initial response. The new Probation Department facility in San Luis Obispo will strengthen community supervision and rehabilitation programs, helping reduce recidivism and improve long-term safety outcomes across the county.
In addition, we launched the Mobile Probation Services Center, an innovative approach that improves public safety by assisting justice-involved individuals experiencing homelessness in meeting their probation requirements. By reducing barriers to housing and supportive services, this program promotes accountability while addressing root causes—truly meeting people where they are and strengthening community stability.
Public safety depends not only on response, but on communication. Residents have consistently asked for clear, timely, and reliable information during emergencies. That’s why I strongly supported the launch of AlertSLO, a new countywide mass notification system developed in partnership with all seven cities in San Luis Obispo County.
AlertSLO allows residents to receive real-time notifications about severe weather, road closures, large power outages, 911 outages, public health emergencies, and other critical community information. Residents can customize alerts, choose how they’re notified—by text, email, or voice call—and opt in to alerts from multiple locations, such as workplaces or areas where family members live. The service is free, easy to use, and designed to deliver information when it matters most.
Clear communication saves lives. AlertSLO ensures residents receive critical information early, allowing them to take action before emergencies escalate. I encourage everyone to register at AlertSLO.org and stay connected.
These accomplishments reflect a deep respect for the professionals who serve our county every day. I value our strong working relationships with law enforcement, fire services, probation staff, and emergency managers—and I’m proud that this collaborative approach has earned the support of leaders who understand public safety firsthand.
That trust is reflected in endorsements from CAL FIRE Local 2881, former CAL FIRE Chief Robert Lewin, former San Luis Obispo Police Chief Jim Gardner, and former Arroyo Grande Police Chief Rick TerBorch. Their support underscores what this work is truly about: giving public safety professionals the tools, staffing, and infrastructure they need to protect our communities effectively and lawfully.
San Luis Obispo County spans more than 3,300 square miles, from coastline to inland valleys. Keeping residents safe across that terrain requires planning, persistence, and the courage to make difficult decisions. Throughout this work, I have stayed focused on one guiding principle: public safety comes first.
These are real results—new facilities, better staffing, stronger coordination, smarter prevention, and clearer communication. They represent meaningful progress for South County and for every community across San Luis Obispo County. I will continue advocating for investments that respect our public safety professionals, protect families, and strengthen the trust between government and the people it serves.
— Jimmy Paulding
If there’s one thing that has shaped me more than anything else during my time walking neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and listening to people across South County, it’s the stories I hear from our seniors.
I can’t count how many times I’ve stood on a front porch and had a senior open the door slowly, smile, and say something like:
“I’m not as fast as I used to be.”
“My kids live far away now.”
“I’m worried about getting to my doctor next month.”
“I want to stay in my home… but everything keeps getting harder.”
Those conversations stay with you. They follow you back to the office. They guide every policy decision you make.
And for me, this work is personal.
My wife and I have lost all of our grandparents. We walked with them through the hard years — dementia, declining health, mobility challenges, the complicated maze of caregiving, and the slow, difficult loss of independence that so many families quietly endure. We saw the pressure it puts on spouses, siblings, and adult children. We saw the exhaustion. The fear. The moments of grace. And the deep grief.
That experience grounded me in what so many families are living right now. It’s why senior advocacy has never been a talking point for me — it’s been a mission.
And just a few months ago, that mission took on an even deeper meaning.
I went on a ride-along with the SLO County Long-Term Care Ombudsman, visiting care homes and speaking directly with isolated seniors who often have no one checking on them except the Ombudsman volunteers. I saw rooms where residents rarely get visitors. I saw the quiet loneliness that doesn’t show up in reports or budgets. I spoke with seniors who desperately want connection, dignity, and someone to notice when something isn’t right.
You can’t witness that and walk away unchanged.
You walk away with even more determination to make sure our seniors — the people who built our churches, our schools, our local businesses, and our community values — are not forgotten.
That is why the work we’re doing in SLO County for seniors and healthcare access matters so profoundly.
And this is the story of what we’ve achieved — and what’s still ahead.
This year, we reached an historic milestone: SLO County’s first Master Plan for Aging.
For decades, our county needed a comprehensive roadmap to serve the rapidly growing senior population — and now we finally have one.
This plan didn’t happen on its own. It emerged from months of listening:
The Master Plan for Aging focuses on four core pillars essential for independence and wellbeing:
• Housing: Safe, affordable options that allow seniors to age in place
• Healthcare: Improved access, shorter wait times, better coordination
• Emotional Wellbeing: Combating isolation and supporting mental health
• Caregiving: Strengthening support for family and professional caregivers
I’m especially grateful to our Department of Social Services, the MPA Advisory Committee, and senior leaders like Linda Beck, and the late Tauria Linala and Anne McCracken — whose voices have shaped this plan from the beginning.
This work reflects something fundamental: Our seniors deserve thoughtful, practical, long-term solutions — not empty promises.
One of the most common concerns I hear from seniors while walking precincts is:
“I can’t drive anymore… and I don’t know how I’m going to get to my appointments.”
Last year, that concern became a crisis when Wilshire Hospice abruptly closed and ended its transportation services — services that hundreds of seniors relied on.
Recognizing the urgency, my office stepped in to help Community Partners in Caring secure a new contract with SLOCOG and Caltrans, enabling them to expand their volunteer-based transportation and support services into Nipomo and the Five Cities — for the first time ever.
Transportation isn’t just mobility — it’s access to healthcare, nutrition, connection, and dignity.
This entire program runs on volunteer drivers. And the need in South County is enormous.
Even a couple of hours a month can be life-changing for a senior with no family nearby.
To learn more or volunteer, visit partnersincaring.org
Rural counties like ours face unique challenges: lower reimbursement rates, physician shortages, and long waitlists — especially for seniors.
That’s why I’ve fought for:
These improvements directly reduce wait times and help seniors stay connected to the care they need.
Many seniors tell me they fear being priced out of the community they helped build.
To help address those concerns, I’ve supported:
Affordability and stability are necessities.
Last year, we recognized October 8th as SLO County’s Day of Action for the Master Plan for Aging — a countywide commitment to senior wellbeing.
It was a powerful moment of unity between community groups, healthcare partners, caregivers, and seniors themselves. This effort is — and always will be — community-driven.
Our seniors deserve a county that listens to them, respects them, and protects their wellbeing.
Over the next year, I’ll continue working to:
Honoring our seniors is honoring the very people who made SLO County what it is today.
— Jimmy Paulding
When I ran for County Supervisor, I promised to deliver results. I ran on a vision of a resilient, connected South County: a place where our kids have safe parks to play in, our seniors and families have reliable services, and our roads, water supply, and community infrastructure meet today’s challenges.
Since 2023, I’ve worked every day with residents, County staff, nonprofits, and partners to turn that vision into real, on-the-ground progress. Here’s what we’ve achieved together, and what we’re building next.
🌳 Investing in Parks, Recreation, Public Health, and Community Spaces
I believe our quality of life depends on more than roads and services. It also depends on public spaces, recreation, learning, and community connection. That’s why I made parks, recreation, and libraries a priority, and why we are now seeing major improvements across our neighborhoods.
All of this matters because parks and libraries aren’t “nice to have.” They are essential infrastructure that brings people together, supports mental and physical health, and builds a strong sense of community identity.
💧 Water Security, Natural Resources, and Public-Health Preparedness
We cannot have thriving communities without reliable water, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship. That’s why I’ve pushed hard for sustainable water and resource initiatives.
These efforts aren’t flashy, but they are fundamental to keeping our community resilient, safe, and ready for what nature brings.
🚴♂️ Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Upgrades
A connected community is a thriving community. Over the last few years, I’ve worked to ensure South County receives the transportation and infrastructure upgrades it needs.
These projects reflect a commitment to smarter growth, safer roads, better traffic flow, more sustainable transportation, and long-term connectivity.
🏘️ Strengthening Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Community Services
Safety and basic services are non-negotiable. That’s why we’ve taken action on multiple fronts.
🎯 Planning for Growth, Responsibly and With Community Input
Good government starts with listening and thoughtful planning. That’s why I initiated and prioritized the 2025 Nipomo Community Plan Update, aligning infrastructure, transportation, safety, parks, and development plans with community needs.
I’m also focused on balanced growth. When the proposed Dana Reserve housing project, a 1,470-unit master-planned development, came before the Board, I voted against it. I argued it lacked the necessary balance between housing needs and protections for open space, resources, and public safety.
We can and must meet our housing and growth needs while preserving the character, environment, and safety of South County.
🙌 Why This Matters, and What’s Next
From parks and playgrounds to water security, roads, fire protection, and community planning, these efforts are not isolated projects. Together, they represent a long-term investment in the health, resilience, and future of our communities.
I know what matters most to residents is what happens when the rubber meets the road: kids having safe places to play, commutes becoming easier, water supplies holding up during drought, and emergency services responding when minutes count.
I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and I know this is just the beginning. Challenges remain, from funding constraints to balancing growth with preservation, but I remain committed to working, listening, and delivering results.
As we move forward, I promise I’ll keep showing up, keep fighting for South County, and keep building, not just houses, roads, and facilities, but community, pride, and opportunity.
Thank you for your trust. Let’s keep building the community we deserve, together.
— Jimmy Paulding
Homelessness and mental health challenges are complex—and deeply human. Behind every statistic is a neighbor who needs stability, care, and a real path forward. When I took office, I made a commitment to move past rhetoric and focus on solutions that work, grounded in partnership, accountability, and measurable results.
Together, that approach is delivering real progress.
Since 2022, unsheltered homelessness in San Luis Obispo County has declined by 31%. That number represents people who now have a safe place to sleep, access to treatment, and support to rebuild their lives.
One of those people is Joey.
I first met Joey when he was unhoused. Last year, I had the privilege of reconnecting with him at the one-year anniversary of Balay Ko on Barca, a supportive housing community made possible through the leadership of the Five Cities Homeless Coalition, the generosity of the Balay Ko Foundation, and strong county and city partnerships.
Joey showed me his home with pride. He shared that he’s maintained sobriety and is moving forward with his life. Today, Joey is living in a new apartment in Morro Bay. His story is a reminder of what’s possible when we invest in people and meet them where they are.
That’s why I’ve fought to scale what works.
This progress didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of persistent work with the County of SLO Homeless Services Division, city partners, and frontline providers like Five Cities Homeless Coalition, ECHO, CAPSLO, and Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA)—along with healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community leaders.
Key investments include:
Supportive & Interim Housing
Mental Health & Crisis Care
Public Safety & Outreach
One of the most important recent wins is the opening of the SLO Sobering Center, operated by Good Samaritan and funded through CenCal Health and the County’s Opioid Settlement Funds.
The Sobering Center provides 24/7 short-term care for adults experiencing intoxication, helping divert people from jail or emergency rooms and connect them to treatment, housing, and ongoing support.
Sobering Center Details
This is exactly what smart, compassionate public safety looks like.
The new $22 million behavioral health facility will significantly expand local care and close long-standing gaps:
For the first time, SLO County will have local inpatient and crisis residential beds for both adults and youth—reducing hospitalizations, out-of-county placements, and helping stabilize people experiencing homelessness with acute behavioral health needs.
Alongside these investments, I’ve focused on strengthening coordination and accountability. For the second year in a row, I’m serving on the San Luis Obispo County Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC) as the Board of Supervisors’ representative.
HSOC brings together elected officials, service providers, public safety, behavioral health professionals, nonprofit partners, faith leaders, advocates, educators, and people with lived experience to oversee the countywide homelessness plan. This structure improves coordination, reduces duplication, and ensures public dollars are delivering results.
These aren’t just programs or line items. They’re people housed, crises averted, and lives stabilized. Compassion without action isn’t enough—real compassion means real solutions, and that’s what we’re delivering together.
There is still more work to do, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and grateful to the partners and community members who make it possible. When we lead with persistence, partnership, and accountability, change is possible.
With determination,
Jimmy Paulding
San Luis Obispo County Supervisor, District 4
On April 24, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to approve the controversial Dana Reserve project in Nipomo. The project will allow for the phased development of a 288-acre master-planned community with up to 1,470 residential units, 110,000-203,000 square feet of commercial and non-residential uses, a minimum of 55.6 acres of open space and 6.3 acres of recreation, and related circulation and infrastructure. The project will increase the population size of Nipomo by approximately 30%, adding over 4,500 residents.
I voted against the project because I thought there was a win-win to be had by supporting the preferred community alternative plan.
These are the comments I made from the dais during the project's hearing. You can also can also watch a recording of the meeting here. My comments start at 4:09:52.
I want to start by saying thank you to all of the community members who have weighed in on this project. My office has received hundreds of letters from concerned residents going back to when I first joined the Board in January of last year.
I also appreciate all of the people who have spoken out today and yesterday. I know people have strong opinions about the project one way or the other, and I think the decision we make today is critically important for the future of SLO County and more importantly the future of Nipomo.
I also want to thank folks for their civility. I truly am impressed with how civil folks generally were in their comments. This makes me proud to represent SLO County.
The project before us has the potential to dramatically shape the landscape of this community, and I believe it is imperative that we carefully evaluate this project for the sake of the people who live there now and for the future generations that will live with the consequences of our decision today.
For those of you who have written to me or asked me for my thoughts about this project over the past year and half, you know that I have consistently stated that I wouldn’t be taking a position on the project until the hearing. I did this because I wanted to hear all of the public input and review all of the project details so that I could make a fully informed decision. I have kept my pledge, and now I finally will offer my unbridled perspective on this project.
But first, a little bit of background. Both times that I ran for County Supervisor, I ran on a platform of supporting workforce and affordable housing. I believe we have a housing affordability crisis in this county, and I have supported making housing a Board priority for two consecutive years. I have worked diligently with our staff and community partners such as the Home Builders Association and my colleagues to advance the housing implementation plan that our Board recently approved in order to help our county facilitate the construction of more housing, and specifically the type of housing that our workforce and low-income residents desperately need. From my time as an Arroyo Grande City Council member to a County Supervisor, I have a record of supporting housing projects and implementing pro-housing policies.
However, I also ran on a platform of good governance, thoughtful leadership, and balanced decision making. I believe that housing projects need to meet the needs of our community while also appropriately mitigating the impacts. We all love SLO County because of our unique environment, beaches, beautiful open spaces, and small-town charm. I support housing projects that harmonize with and respect those important values.
I also want to mention that from day one of running for public office, I committed to not accepting campaign contributions from developers – a pledge I have kept going back to 2017. I want to be clear that I don’t have anything against developers. They play an important role in our society, and we need developers to build the housing projects that help us house our workforce. I haven’t accepted their money because I want to remain completely impartial about any housing project that comes before me, including this one. I want you - the public – to know that you can trust me to act in their best interests and in the best interest of our community. How I vote on this project today will be grounded in what I truly believe is the right thing for Nipomo. As I mentioned yesterday, the question I am asking myself is: is this project as proposed good enough for Nipomo?
And with that, let’s get into it.
I will start by sharing some of the things that I like about this project.
While there are meaningful benefits associated with this project, there are several serious impacts as well. Moreover, we need to look at this project in the broader context of the community of Nipomo. Good governance and responsible decision-making compel us to consider Nipomo’s current and anticipated needs. In other words, a project of this size – roughly 25% of Nipomo’s current population – cannot be considered in a vacuum.
I have serious concerns over several aspects of this project, including the type of housing it’s proposing, the water it is relying on, adverse environmental impacts, implications for public safety, and fiscal impacts to both the County and the Lucia Mar Unified school district.
Only 30% of the housing proposed in the Dana Reserve project is the type of housing we need. Per our Regional Housing Needs Allocation numbers, the state is mandating that the County plan and permit for about 1,900 low- and moderate-income housing units by 2028. Only 30% of the total units in this project fulfil that requirement, which means 70% or 1,022 of the 1,470 proposed units aren’t the type of housing that the state is requiring us to build. The rest will be more high-end homes that are unattainable for the vast majority of the people who live here.
We’re being told that the only way to build the low-income housing that we need is by accepting that it comes with 70% of the housing we don’t need and all of its associated impacts– because that is the only way a developer can afford to build it. Yet, we know this is not true. Just earlier this year our Planning Commission approved two infill projects in Nipomo that will produce exactly the type of housing we need without the luxury homes: 384 low income and multi-family homes. This is exactly the type of housing we need for those struggling to afford to live here.
Long-term water supply, groundwater shortages, and drought potential are concerns that are often raised about this project. As we discussed yesterday, the water supply for this project will come from the Nipomo Community Services District. Specifically, it will come from water imported from Santa Maria. Letters were submitted by the Northern Cities Management Area and Golden State Water Company expressing concerns related to the water situation in Nipomo, namely that the Key Well Index results for the past seven years show that the Nipomo Mesa Management Area is in Severe Water Shortage Conditions. This means that we are over-pumping the basin. Golden State expressed their view that the 500-acre feet of water identified in the project documents as available to serve this project is only allowed to serve infill development within the NCSD’s service area as opposed to new development to be annexed into the service area such as is the case with this project. We heard from the General Manager of the NCSD that they disagree with Golden State’s assertion. However, as I pointed out yesterday, the environmental impact report for the Supplemental Water Project seems to very clear that the water was supposed to serve infill development not development to be annexed, when it states, and I quote, “This initial increment of imported water will, therefore, serve existing customers within the NCSD boundaries … An additional 500 acre-feet per year of imported water…will be used by the NCSD to serve future customers on currently vacant land within the District boundaries.”
The disagreement between the two water purveyors has serious implications that I believe should give our Board pause before approving the project. Water security for Nipomo is very important. In addition, there are legitimate fairness concerns that need to be addressed. As I mentioned yesterday, I have heard from several developers who own land within NCSD’s sphere of influence who have been told that NCSD cannot provide water for their projects. In one case, the developer is considering building a 100-unit mobile home park. In another case, the developer wants to build affordable and workforce housing.
I have heard of similar issues with customers in the Golden State service area in Nipomo. Dozens of them would like to build housing or accessory dwelling units on their vacant property but cannot get a will-serve letter from Golden State due to local water shortages. These are infill parcels within the Nipomo Mesa Management Area – precisely the type of development that the Supplemental Water Project environmental impact report indicated should be served with the 500-acre feet of water that is now being set aside for the Dana Reserve project.
In my view, the underlying water policy decisions associated with the Dana Reserve project don’t seem fair to the people who want to build more of the type of housing we actually need. It also doesn’t seem fair to the people with vacant land who can’t get a water meter in Golden State territory.
Lastly, I will note that relying on imported state water is a risky long-term strategy. While the last two years have been wet and the Department of Water Resources has approved significant state water allocations, state water allocations were 0% as recently as 2021. The potential for a future severe drought cannot and should not be overlooked when approving a project with an anticipated demand of nearly 350-acre feet of water per year.
As we’ve heard from several organizations and many members of the public, the environmental impacts of this project are significant, and in my view, unwarranted. The EIR identifies nineteen Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts in the proposed plan to Air Quality, Biological Resources, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land Use and Planning, Population and Housing, and Transportation.
I have never seen this many significant adverse impacts on a single project, and I think they should give any decision-maker pause. Our Board will have to adopt a statement of overriding considerations in order to approve this project. In plain terms, our Board has to say the benefits of this project outweigh all of the negative impacts. I am simply not convinced that the benefits of approving a project that contains a mere 30% of the type of housing that we need outweighs 19 significant and unavoidable impacts.
If we take just the issue of oak trees, the project will cut down more than 3,000 mature oak trees – this action is in direct violation of our County’s Oak Woodlands Ordinance. Why have an ordinance protecting our oak woodlands if we’re going to override it so easily? And if this project is approved today, I worry that it would set a negative countywide precedent going forward. I think the message that it would send is that none of our oak woodlands are safe from potential destruction.
Further, I appreciate that the developer has offered to preserve thousands of oak trees at the nearby Dana Ridge. However, having personally walked that very steep site, I can tell you that it is not land that could be developed. Therefore, I do not think that it can count as a true offset.
I think it is important to give you a flavor of the scope of significant and unavoidable impacts, also known as Class I impacts:
In sum, I do not believe that benefits of this project outweigh the environmental impacts.
For a population of 24,000, the Nipomo Mesa does not have the resources it needs right now to be a thriving SLO County community. This is especially the case when it comes to Public Safety. We heard from the Sheriff yesterday that he currently lacks enough deputies to patrol Nipomo and the broader south county region. The Sheriff’s Office has estimated that, in order to serve the 4,500 people that the Dana Reserve project would add to Nipomo, they would need an additional ten deputies and two sergeants, along with a number of support staff positions. I will discuss the fiscal impact concerns more in a moment, but there are serious questions as to whether this project will generate enough tax revenue to pay for the public safety needs that the project will generate.
As a reminder, this project does not include a new Sheriff’s Substation or a new Fire station – just the donation of the land for both. Building and staffing these absolutely necessary public safety facilities will be the responsibility of the county taxpayers.
While I am hopeful that we will soon be able to separately finance the construction of the new Sheriff Substation in Olde Towne, this project emphasizes just how significant Nipomo’s current needs are – let alone the anticipated needs and likely shortfall if this project is approved.
As noted yesterday, I have concerns about the fiscal impact of this project on the County budget, especially in light of the NCSD’s request for a percentage of the annual property taxes generated by this project.
Our fiscal analysis already shows that approving this development could result in a net loss of $600k per year to the County – in other words – the development would not generate enough revenue each year to pay for the cost of services for the new residents of the project. The developer claims that is a worst-case projection, but that estimate does not include the percentage of annual property taxes that the NCSD is requesting from the County. If we grant their full request, which they have indicated to me is necessary for them to be able to serve the project, it would cause the County to lose $295,000 per year in the best-case scenario and $1M per year in the worst-case scenario. It does not sit well with me that this request is being handled as a separate matter. I think we should be making that decision at the same time as this decision with all of the information in hand. The fact that the NCSD’s general manager could not even answer what they would like the money to be used for was concerning to me.
I find it difficult to understand why the County and our Board would give up that much needed revenue, which could go to staffing more patrol deputies or firefighters in the community, especially when we know we are already under-resourced in those areas.
From a big picture perspective, I question why we would approve a project that won’t supply the deputy sheriffs we need, won’t supply the firefighters we need, and won’t provide the facilities they need to do their jobs?
To me, it is not a good project if the taxpayers are being asked to literally subsidize the developer. And that is the way the math adds up to me.
To summarize the math, I’m looking at a best-case scenario of the County losing almost $300,000 per year to cover the cost of providing County services. As mentioned, in the worst-case scenario, the County would be losing $1M per year. In addition, I do not see a plan for funding the minimum year over year cost of $1.9M for the Sheriff for the ten new deputies and two sergeants and support staff, or funding for the $2.1M for fire to staff and operate the new station with firefighters. I also do not see a plan to fund the $15M in capital costs for the new fire station or the $1.5M in one-time costs for the new fire engine and other equipment. Focusing solely on the yearly operational costs, we see a public safety need of about $4M. Again, the study included in our staff report estimates that the project will generate only $2.2M per year for all public safety needs which includes DA services, jail services, probation services, and other County public safety services. That is a $1.8M year over year operational gap.
Therefore, while the developer claims that the project will not pencil out if it is scaled back in any way, I am concerned that the project as proposed does not pencil out for the County taxpayer.
In addition, I want to emphasize how real the fire risk is in Nipomo and why we need to fully fund firefighting resources. The 2013 SLO County Fire Strategic Plan states the following:
“Terrain contributes significantly to the weather in the County. For example, the terrain in the southern portion of the County can affect intensity of north and east wind events resulting in a light Sundowner effect on the coast side of the range. The area east of Nipomo is known by firefighters as an area of unpredictable wind changes, as the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the inland valleys converge. This area was the location of the tragic Spanish Ranch Fire, which killed 4 CAL FIRE firefighters in 1979, and where two near-tragedies occurred during the 1997 Logan Fire. A contributing factor on both these fires was ‘a sudden wind shift.’ Although sundowners occur infrequently and usually only in the Nipomo area, the same high pressure inland conditions that produce Santa Ana winds in southern California often produce katabatic winds in this County that result in northeasterly off-shore wind conditions which are usually accompanied by warm temperatures, high wind speeds, and low humidity’s. These periods often produce the most ‘fire days’ along the coast when the fire risk is elevated to the highest point of the entire year.”
I am also concerned about the likely negative impact that this project will have on the Lucia Mar Unified School District as it tries to prepare to serve a massive influx of new students. Lucia Mar’s Board of Trustees recently approved a mitigation agreement that contains a range of possible outcomes. At best the project has a revenue neutral impact on the schools. However, the worst-case scenario estimates a $4.7M to $3.9M revenue gap for the school district.
Even if the necessary school facility improvements are funded, getting the students to school will be a significant challenge. While I am grateful that the developer is funding drop off area improvements at Dana Elementary, there is no continuous sidewalk or safe route for students to walk to school. Access for high schoolers is no better. Both of Nipomo’s two high schools are on the other side of the freeway and students will not be eligible to ride the bus due to their close proximity to the schools. The project does not propose any safe routes along Willow and Thompson. In essence, the project is likely to add hundreds of new students with no clear plan for how to get them to school safely. Many other developments seem to do better in terms of connectivity to schools, parks, and other important locations.
As I mentioned earlier, we need to look at this project in the broader context of the community of Nipomo – not just the details of the project in front of us.
Nipomo is already an underserved community. Many of its needs are well established: more park space (including a new dog park, pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, sport fields and trails); a community center – the last one burned down and was never rebuilt; a Sheriff’s Substation, and a third Fire Station.
When I look at the Dana Reserve project in the context of Nipomo’s existing needs, it just doesn’t meet the mark. The reality is that the project doesn’t address any of those existing needs.
It includes some passive parks, but no new active recreation opportunities or a community center.
It offers land for a Cal Fire Station and a Sheriff Substation, but it doesn’t offer to build either of them. The same goes for the Cuesta College campus and the People’s Self Help Housing affordable housing project. All that the developer is offering is the land and an improved pad.
Even the location of this project doesn’t fit well within the long-term vision for Nipomo. Olde Towne – which is ripe with potential – is on the opposite side of the freeway. This project proposes a sizable commercial center far away from the Olde Towne commercial area. In hundreds of conversations with people in Nipomo over the years, almost everyone I’ve talked to agrees that investment and revitalization of Olde Towne Nipomo should be a priority. This project offers nothing for Olde Towne, and may even hurt its ability to grow as it competes with new commercial spaces within the Dana Reserve project.
I want this Board to acknowledge that Nipomo has already been shouldering the burden for new housing in the unincorporated areas for the better part of the last two decades.
Even recently, Nipomo has seen the bulk of new growth. Earlier this year, the Planning Commission approved two multi-family developments that will add 400 homes, in addition to 300 new homes coming soon to Trilogy. Plus, other developers are working on trying to build at least another 600 homes in Nipomo. Thus, without the Dana Reserve project, 1,300 hundred homes are in the works, which is equivalent to the number of units this project will add – and most of that housing is the right type of housing – the kind of workforce and affordable housing we need.
Yes, our region needs housing, but along with that much-needed housing comes the impacts to traffic, water, air quality, our schools, our parks, our libraries, and our public safety. We are literally talking about adding thousands of people to the already burdened and under-resourced community of Nipomo, and that doesn’t even include the 4,500 people the Dana Reserve project will add if approved today.
Have we analyzed the cumulative impact on Nipomo of all these housing projects that are in the pipeline? I think the answer is pretty obvious that we haven’t. We’re just starting the process of updating the Nipomo Community Plan, which has not been updated for 30 years – something that should have been completed long before a project of this size was before us for approval.
In addition to approving this project, we’re being asked to set aside the growth cap that is on our books without any supporting information for decision-making. The ordinance says we provide a resource management report twice a year yet this report hasn’t been provided since 2018.
In short, it seems like the bulk of the County’s responsibility to plan and permit for more housing continues to be primarily borne by the residents of Nipomo. I think as a Board we should be asking ourselves if that makes for a safer or better served Nipomo. I don’t believe that it does.
Despite the significant number of serious problems with the Dana Reserve project as proposed, I do believe there is a path forward to modify this project into something that everyone can get behind. In other words, I believe we could turn this project from a win-lose into a win-win, where we are able to strike a balance.
The community of Nipomo has already demonstrated that it is possible to strike a balance with their Community Generated Alternative Map. As we’ve heard from the community members who developed it, the Community Alternative Map provides less housing while dramatically reducing project impacts. However, “less housing” doesn’t do it justice, as 800 housing units is almost the size of Trilogy on a third of the acreage. The community plan would still result in a very large housing project that, if refined with more of an emphasis on affordable and workforce housing, would give our county a greater concentration of the type of housing we actually need, while at the same time preserving oak woodlands and natural resources. To me, that is a win-win.
As a reminder, the Planning Commission directed these community groups to do this. They listened to the hundreds of Nipomo residents who either spoke or wrote letters of opposition to the Dana Reserve project and told the Nipomo Action Committee, the South County Advisory Council, and the Nipomo Oak Alliance to work with staff and the developer to come up with a plan that the community could support.
And they succeeded.
What we’ve heard during public comment at these hearings and from emails and letters over the last few months is that the people of Nipomo are ready to say YES to more housing, even a lot more housing – they just want it to be done in a responsible manner. They want a housing project that provides housing while at the same time preserving the oak woodlands that are foundational to the character of Nipomo. They want balance, and the community plan does that.
Now of course, the community plan is really just a concept. It would need to be fleshed out with more detail in order for it to be earnestly evaluated. And frankly I’m not surprised that the developer has labeled it as infeasible largely based on its failure to meet “project objectives.” However, the project’s objectives were defined by the developer. I find this over-reliance on compliance with project objectives to be very concerning. And as I mentioned earlier, we’ve already seen other affordable and workforce housing projects in Nipomo that didn’t rely on building hundreds of luxury homes in order to make the project feasible.
The developer’s fiscal analysis of the alternative raises a number of questions. For example, why the hotel and retail space of the project costs $10M more in the alternative plan than in the current plan. That difference by itself seems like it would account for the entire negative $12M valuation that the developer cites in order to claim the alternative infeasible. Even assuming the developer’s analysis that the community alternative plan is grossly infeasible, we could reevaluate the fee credits for infrastructure improvements that the developer could claim but is opting not to. The Road Improvement Fees that they’ll be paying are almost $13M alone, and I understand that the infrastructure the developer is adding is a major cost impediment to the project’s overall feasibility.
All this to say, I firmly believe that if the developer were truly willing to pursue a project with fewer impacts, we could reach the win-win outcome that everybody could get behind.
To that end, I would be happy to make a motion, at the appropriate time, to direct staff and the developer to explore additional project alternatives that align more closely with the community alternative plan for review that would be re-evaluated at the Planning Commission level.
I do not know if a majority of my colleagues are supportive of that direction, but I believe that is the most responsible action that we could take today.
I’ll conclude my remarks by reminding everyone what I promised when I first ran for supervisor. I promised to vote in a way that balances economic, social, and environmental interests. The hard truth is that this project as proposed is out of balance. The environmental and social interests and concerns are being subordinated in favor of the economic interests.
Going back to 2017, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and had countless conversations with Nipomo residents. I’ve reviewed hundreds of letters, attended meetings with hundreds of people, and met with dozens of constituents. I’ve been listening to the people of Nipomo, and they have been saying loudly and clearly that they want balance. Like them, I just don’t accept that there is no way to make a more balanced housing project work here.
I know we can make this project better, and I am ready to enthusiastically support a more balanced project that builds hundreds of the housing units we need. I ask my colleagues to join me in considering what is best for the people who live in Nipomo now as well as the people who will move into the housing that we approve. Nipomo deserves better than the proposed project with its nineteen significant and unavoidable impacts. I believe we have a unique opportunity and obligation to re-work this project into a better project, a stronger project that will accomplish this board’s goal of supporting more workforce and affordable housing and address the concerns raised by members of the community. The Community Alternative Map is a good start to that discussion.
That concludes my remarks. Thank you.
Hi everyone,
I am so pleased to be able to share with you a new clean air program for South County residents!
At my request, the SLO County Air Pollution Control District will be piloting a program to offer low-income South County residents HEPA air purifiers free of charge in order to provide relief from wildfire smoke and particulate matter from the Oceano Dunes.
I want to thank my fellow APCD board members for supporting this program, and APCD staff who will be implementing it over the coming weeks.
Ensuring everyone in South County has clean air to breathe is one of the reasons I was first inspired to run for office. While there is still much work to be done, I look forward to seeing this program serve the most vulnerable members of our community very soon.
Read the full release here: Clean Air Program Press Release
Sincerely,
Jimmy Paulding
Mayor Pro Tem
City of Arroyo Grande
Candidate for County Supervisor, San Luis Obispo County, District 4
To learn more about Jimmy’s campaign and his vision for South County, visit jimmypaulding.org. Jimmy welcomes hearing from you. You can email Jimmy at hello@jimmypaulding.org or call Jimmy at (805) 994-0025.
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