SLO County Planning Commission votes to recommend approval of Dana Reserve housing development planned in Nipomo

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission wrapped up a two-day hearing on Tuesday where commissioners considered a request by a local developer to build the much-debated Dana Reserve housing development in Nipomo.

At the end of Tuesday's meeting, the commissioners voted 4-1 to recommend their approval of the project to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.

The high-profile development has been in the planning stages for the past five years by local developer Nick Tomkins, a Nipomo native and a descendant of Nipomo founder Captain William Dana. In 1837, Dana was granted by the Mexican government the 38,000-acre Rancho Nipomo, which later became the site of present-day Nipomo.

"I think the project has a lot of merit," said Tompkins. "I believe the county sees them I think with the need as it stands currently for affordable housing. I am hopeful, very hopeful that we will see this through.”

The proposed project site sits on a highly visible 288-acre piece of property adjacent to Highway 101 on the westside of Nipomo, just south Willow Road.

Plans for the Dana Reserve include a master-planned community that could accomodate up to 1,318 residential units, as well as 110,000-203,000 square feet of commercial and non-residential (visitor serving/hotel, education) uses.

Due to the project's scope and size, as well as its potential environmental issues, the project has drawn a great deal of pushback from many in the community.

Concerned community members have rallied the past two years gathering signatures for a petition against the project, as well as forming the Nipomo Action Committee to help facilitate an organized opposition.

"We are against the project as proposed," said Nipomo Action Committee director Alison Martinez "We're not against development per se, but the kind of development this plan has is a massive increase. I don't know if that's what we actually need in our community."

On Monday, Planning Commissioners listened to public comment for several hours, as dozens of people spoke either in favor of the project or in opposition.

Commissioners on Tuesday received input from others associated with the project, as well from County Counsel, San Luis Obispo County Public Works, CAL FIRE, Nipomo Community Services District and the Lucia Mar Unified School District.

Tompkins, as well as others involved with the Dana Reserve project, spoke about the plan, answering specific questions directed to them by the Commissioners.

The final decision for approval or denial of the Dana Reserve project will be determined by the Board of Supervisors on an unknown future date.