Local land use honored

Local land-use plans and planners were among those from Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties honored at the American Planning Association's 2008 Central Coast Section Planning Awards program April 5 in Santa Barbara.

The event recognized the people, projects and programs for cutting-edge achievements and planning under difficult or adverse circumstances, said an APA spokesman.

Winners from the 19 nominations will now compete at the state level and potentially at the National level.

Santa Barbara County winners included:

* Santa Maria Airport Business Park Specific Plan by the Santa Maria Community Development Department

* “Neighbor to Neighbor - Facing Our Housing Crisis” television show by the Coastal Housing Coalition

* “Common Ground Principles” by the Common Ground Principles Steering Committee - Jerry Bunin, Dave Davis, Mickey Flacks, Pat Saley and Naomi Schwartz

* Voices for Housing education program by the Coastal Housing Coalition

Winners from San Luis Obispo County included:

* Westside and North Avenue Community Plan, Ventura, by the Cal Poly City and Regional Planning Department

* Nancy J. Cole for the Leadership and Service Award - Student Planner

* Zeljka Pavlovich Howard for the Leadership and Service Award - Professional Planner

* Bicycle Transportation Plan by the San Luis Obispo Public Works Department