Environmental Justice The Story of Matheny Tract Julie Allen, Tulare County LAFCO Public Member

Overview Setting the scene: Place, Characters, Plot Setting the scene: Place, Characters, Plot Six months of hearings Six months of hearings The Decision The Decision Lessons learned Lessons learned Policy outcomes Policy outcomes

The Three Legged Stool Substance Substance Process Process Relationships Relationships

The Place: Tulare County

The Place:Matheny Tract Today

Characters City of Tulare City of Tulare County of Tulare County of Tulare Tulare County LAFCO Tulare County LAFCO Matheny Tract Committee Matheny Tract Committee California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) Self-Help Enterprises Self-Help Enterprises Pratt Mutual Water Co. Pratt Mutual Water Co.

Acknowledgements The Following Maps were Prepared by The Following Maps were Prepared by The Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Development

The Plot: The Story of a Six Month Hearing Annexation Proposal: City of Tulare Annexation Proposal: City of Tulare Public Involvement: Matheny Tract Public Involvement: Matheny Tract Outreach Meetings: Annexation Interest Outreach Meetings: Annexation Interest Remaining Issues Remaining Issues Resolution of Issues Resolution of Issues

Created by the Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Growth

The Decision I- Street Annexation approved as originally proposed by City of Tulare I- Street Annexation approved as originally proposed by City of Tulare City to work with Self Help Enterprises to secure grant funding for water system for Matheny Tract. City to work with Self Help Enterprises to secure grant funding for water system for Matheny Tract. City to offer extraterritorial sewer service to Matheny Tract at resident’s expense City to offer extraterritorial sewer service to Matheny Tract at resident’s expense City to notify ALL property owners of future project plans in area annexed City to notify ALL property owners of future project plans in area annexed

The Decision--continued If 25% of Matheny Tract property owners sign petition to annex, City will process annexation through LAFCO If 25% of Matheny Tract property owners sign petition to annex, City will process annexation through LAFCO Requested, but cannot require, that City review industrial pre-zoning of Matheny Tract in next general plan update to reflect current residential use. Requested, but cannot require, that City review industrial pre-zoning of Matheny Tract in next general plan update to reflect current residential use.

Lessons Learned from a Three Legged Stool: Public involvement: Problem solving role of a well organized community Public involvement: Problem solving role of a well organized community Create common understanding: Take time for all parties to “get it” Create common understanding: Take time for all parties to “get it” Crafting positive, forward leaning solutions: LAFCO as facilitator Crafting positive, forward leaning solutions: LAFCO as facilitator Policy development: Use your three legged stool to craft virtually “test fired” policy. Policy development: Use your three legged stool to craft virtually “test fired” policy.

Tulare County LAFCO Policy Outcome: Analysis of service and infrastructure needs of DAC’s and other developed communities outside existing boundaries but inside or adjacent to the existing or proposed SOI. Analysis of service and infrastructure needs of DAC’s and other developed communities outside existing boundaries but inside or adjacent to the existing or proposed SOI. MSRs for cities and districts which provide domestic water or sewer service must include: MSRs for cities and districts which provide domestic water or sewer service must include:

Policy Outcome--continued Recommendations for addressing service and infrastructure needs through collaborative efforts of all appropriate parties Recommendations for addressing service and infrastructure needs through collaborative efforts of all appropriate parties At least one community meeting re changes in SOI/MSR and to encourage public input for SOI and MSR At least one community meeting re changes in SOI/MSR and to encourage public input for SOI and MSR Incorporation of applicable public input Incorporation of applicable public input