Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Administrative Agenda
- The Board approved the remaining administrative items by voice vote.
- Items A-10 and A-11 were pulled from the agenda for later discussion.
Resolutions of Commendation
- Resolutions were adopted honoring Joan Davidson, the City of Buellton, UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, and CHP officer Jeff Scoba.
- Honorees or their representatives accepted the commendations, with Supervisor Wolfe speaking on behalf of the absent CHP officer.
Bryce Beach Cabana and Fenuncular (Item A-10)
- Supervisor Wolfe moved to set the item for a full board hearing on March 6 to hear the merits of the case.
- The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Irene and Frances Rich Beach Cabana (Item A-11)
- Public comment supported scheduling a hearing to consider historic landmark designation, while Supervisor Wolfe opposed it due to ongoing litigation.
- County Counsel noted the issue is currently in Superior Court litigation, and the Board voted to deny the motion to set the item for hearing.
Goleta Valley Community Plan Update
- Staff presented a draft plan including urban-rural boundary adjustments, higher-density housing sites, and agricultural land retention.
- Supervisor Wolfe proposed modifications to policy LUA EGV 1.6 requiring substantive findings for converting urban agricultural land.
- The Board voted to proceed with the staff recommendation, including the proposed policy revisions and project description modifications.
Closed Session
- The Board unanimously authorized the filing of a writ of mandamus in the matter of Ariando v. County of Santa Barbara.
Appeal of Montecito Planning Commission Decision (Van Vliet Residential Addition)
- Staff recommended denying the appeal and granting de novo approval of the coastal development permit with conditions.
- The applicant agreed to incorporate suggested enhancements to lighting and solid waste conditions.
- The Board approved the project with amendments to lower the carport by four feet and include specific lighting conditions.
RDA Successor Agencies and Oversight Board Selections
- The Board established an ad hoc subcommittee to recommend public-at-large members for the oversight boards.
- The Board adopted the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) for the dissolved Isla Vista RDA.
- Appointments for county, Fire Protection District, and Flood Control and Water Conservation District slots on the oversight boards were approved.
Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation (LHCDC) Properties
- Staff recommended declining the deed-in-lieu of foreclosure for the Bridge House property due to fiscal and operational concerns.
- Public comment urged the Board to accept the deed to secure immediate shelter beds and avoid repayment obligations.
- The Board voted to conditionally accept the deed-in-lieu, subject to consent from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
- Staff was directed to explore a one-year transition period to the GoodSAM system and conduct a forensic audit of LHCDC.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Administrative Procedures
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors called to order its regular meeting on February 21. The roll call was taken, and all members were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Board approved the minutes of the February 14 meeting by voice vote. The Board established the order of business: administrative agenda items, public comment, resolutions, and pulled administrative items.
Administrative Agenda
- The Board considered the administrative agenda. Two items were pulled for later discussion: Item A-10 (Bryce Beach Cabana and Fenuncular) and Item A-11 (Irene and Frances Rich Beach Cabana). A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining administrative agenda items. The motion passed by voice vote.
Public Comment
- Jeff Alexander of the Santa Barbara County Film Commission provided an update on media production activity, noting an increase in production days and commercial production in 2011. He mentioned the premiere of The Amazing Race in the San Ynez Valley and invited the Board to a film production seminar on February 27. The Board honored volunteers Vivian Pisano-Smith and her father Alberto Pisano for their work with the Flamenco Arts Festival.
Resolutions of Commendation
- 1. Joan Davidson: A resolution of commendation was read honoring Joan Davidson for her service as a County Santa Barbara Arts Commissioner. Ms. Davidson accepted the honor and thanked the Arts Commission staff and her family. 2. City of Buellton: A resolution of commendation was read honoring the City of Buellton for its 20th anniversary of incorporation. Mayor Holly Sierra and other city officials accepted the honor. 3. UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: A resolution of commendation was read honoring the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Santa Barbara County for their volunteer service. Representatives from the group accepted the honor. 4. Jeff Scoba (CHP): A resolution of commendation was read for Jeff Scoba of the California Highway Patrol. Supervisor Wolfe spoke in his absence, noting his contributions to public safety and traffic safety on Highway 154. The resolution was adopted.
Pulled Administrative Items
- Item A-10 (Bryce Beach Cabana and Fenuncular): Supervisor Wolfe moved to set this item for a full board hearing on March 6 to hear the merits of the case. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
- Item A-11 (Irene and Frances Rich Beach Cabana): Supervisor Lavagnino moved to set this item for a hearing on March 6. Public comment was received from Andy Caldwell (COLAB), Julia Carr, Lee Carr, and Chip Wolbrandt, who supported scheduling the hearing to consider the historic landmark designation. Supervisor Wolfe opposed the motion, citing ongoing litigation in Superior Court regarding a previous denial of a similar request and arguing the Board should not re-hear the matter. County Counsel stated that while the Board has discretion to hear the item, it is the same issue currently in litigation. Supervisor Carbajal inquired about financial implications, with County Counsel noting costs would primarily be attorney time. Supervisor Lavagnino maintained the motion to hear the merits. The Board proceeded to a roll-call vote. The motion to set the item for hearing on March 6 failed.
Agenda Item 1: Goleta Valley Community Plan Update
- The Board heard a staff presentation on the draft Goleta Valley Community Plan for the Eastern Goleta Valley. Key points included adjustments to the urban-rural boundary, recommendations for higher-density housing at eight specific sites to comply with State Housing and Community Development (HCD) Program 1.3, retention of existing agricultural land uses, and updates to environmental resources including a greenway concept for Atascadero Creek. Supervisor Wolfe proposed a modification to the policy regarding the conversion of urban agricultural land (LUA EGB 1.6), adding language requiring factual and substantive findings that the land is no longer appropriate for urban ag uses or that there is an overriding public need for conversion.
- Public comment was received from approximately 30 speakers. Topics included housing affordability, density levels, environmental impacts, infrastructure capacity, and agricultural land preservation. Specific properties discussed included the MTD property, Tatum property, San Marcos Growers, and the South Patterson Triangle. Speakers debated the influence of state mandates (AB 32, SB 375) and HCD interpretations. Some speakers requested that the San Marcos Growers site remain zoned for agriculture, while others supported its inclusion in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for potential residential use. Concerns were raised regarding traffic, water supply, fire safety, and the adequacy of local infrastructure.
- Supervisor Gray supported the plan, citing the success of a similar process in the ORCAT area. Supervisor Carbajal supported the plan with Supervisor Wolf’s proposed changes. Supervisor Lavagnino asked about the process for future land use changes if farming becomes economically unfeasible; staff clarified that such changes would require a General Plan Amendment and rezoning process. Supervisor Lavagnino then expressed support for moving forward with the EIR. Supervisor Wolf highlighted various non-housing policies in the plan, including watershed planning, ecological protections, design guidelines, and public access.
- Supervisor Wolf moved to proceed with Staff’s recommendation, including modifications to the project description as reflected in the PowerPoint slide and revisions to policy LUA EGV 1.6. Supervisor Carbajal seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Closed Session
- The Board recessed for lunch and closed session. Upon returning, the Council reported that the Board unanimously authorized the filing of a writ of mandamus in the matter of Ariando v. County of Santa Barbara.
Agenda Item 2: Appeal of Montecito Planning Commission Decision (Van Vliet Residential Addition)
- Supervisor Carbajal disclosed ex parte contacts with the appellant’s attorney, the project applicants, and their representatives, as well as a site visit with the county planner. No other ex parte contacts were reported.
- Staff presented the appeal filed by Margaret Dent et al. regarding the Montecito Planning Commission’s approval of a residential addition at 1717 Fernald Point Lane. The project includes first-floor additions, demolition, a second-floor addition, pool relocation, and a new carport request. Staff noted that while the appellant is concerned about private views, the County does not enforce private view easements. Staff recommended denying the appeal, making required findings, determining the project exempt from CEQA, and granting de novo approval of the coastal development permit subject to conditions.
- The appellant argued that construction traffic poses a safety risk and requested specific conditions prohibiting construction parking in the shared driveway and parking area. The appellant also argued that the second story obstructs mountain views. The applicant stated that the project complies with height and setback regulations and argued that the easement is a scenic easement, not a view easement. The applicant agreed to incorporate the appellant’s suggested enhancements to the lighting condition and solid waste condition.
- Supervisor Carbajal noted that the issues had been extensively vetted by prior bodies. He confirmed that the applicant had lowered the carport by four feet to mitigate view impacts and requested that this change be reflected in the approval. He also requested that the lighting condition accepted by the applicant be noted in the record and incorporated into the motion.
- A motion was made to approve the project as described in the staff report, with amendments to include the four-foot lowering of the carport and the addition of the specific lighting condition. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Agenda Item 3: RDA Successor Agencies and Oversight Board Selections
- Staff presented recommendations regarding the successor agency to the dissolved Isla Vista Redevelopment Agency (RDA). The recommendations included adopting the Draft Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS), appointing members to the oversight boards for the seven former RDAs in the county, and establishing an ad hoc board subcommittee to recommend public-at-large members for the oversight boards. Staff recommended appointing specific county officials to the County Board of Supervisors, Fire Protection District, and Flood Control and Water Conservation District slots on the oversight boards.
- Supervisor Wolf suggested that Supervisors Farr and Gray serve on the ad hoc subcommittee. Supervisor Carbajal suggested voting on the subcommittee motion first while the topic was fresh. He also raised the question of whether public-at-large appointees should be required to reside in the unincorporated area to avoid potential conflicts of interest with city interests. Supervisor Wolf confirmed that the subcommittee would develop criteria and questions for candidates, including fiscal capabilities and conflict of interest disclosures.
- 1. Ad Hoc Subcommittee: A motion was made to establish an ad hoc board subcommittee to recommend public-at-large members for the oversight boards. The motion was seconded and thirded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried. 2. ROPS Adoption: A motion was made for the Board of Supervisors, acting as the successor agency to the Santa Barbara County RDA, to adopt the resolution adopting the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried. 3. Oversight Board Appointments (County Slots): A motion was made to appoint the recommended county members to the oversight boards as described in items 2A, 2B, and 2C of the staff report. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried. 4. Fire Protection District Appointments: A motion was made for the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District to make the appointments listed in item 4 of the staff report. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried. 5. Flood Control and Water Conservation District Appointments: A motion was made for the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to make the appointments listed in items 5 and 6 of the staff report. The motion was seconded. The vote was taken, and the motion carried.
Agenda Item 4: Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation (LHCDC) Properties
- Staff presented recommendations regarding the LHCDC properties, including the Bridge House Shelter. LHCDC is dissolving and has offered to transfer ownership of the Bridge House property to the county via a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Staff recommended that the Board not accept the deed-in-lieu of foreclosure for Bridge House, direct the County Executive Officer to work with community partners to identify other options for homeless services in the Lompoc area, approve funding for Good Samaritan Shelter for services at Mark’s House, and allow LHCDC’s other affordable housing units to continue through the bank receivership process. Staff outlined the fiscal consequences of accepting the deed, including potential repayment of HUD and state funds, annual operating costs, and renovation costs.
- Public comment was received from multiple individuals and representatives of organizations. Speakers from the Santa Barbara County Action Network, Good Samaritan Shelter, and various community members and clergy urged the Board to accept the deed in lieu, citing the immediate need for shelter beds and the financial benefit of avoiding repayment obligations. Speakers criticized the staff recommendation for failing to provide an immediate interim solution. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of communication with LHCDC and calls for a forensic audit of county funds provided to the organization.
- The Board discussed the financial and operational implications of accepting the deed in lieu versus the staff recommendation to decline it. County Counsel clarified that accepting the deed in lieu is subject to a 2003 Regulatory Agreement requiring consent from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The County Executive Officer proposed a temporary solution using available funds to allow LHCDC to operate the facility for 6–9 months while the county works with the state and other providers for a long-term solution.
- Supervisor Lavagnino moved to conditionally accept the deed in lieu of foreclosure from LHCDC, authorize the CEO to accept the deed upon receiving consent from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and direct staff to explore options for operating the facility with a nonprofit, transferring the property to a nonprofit, or considering alternative uses. The motion included a request for a forensic audit of LHCDC.
- Members discussed directing staff to evaluate a one-year transition period to the GoodSAM system. Clarification was sought regarding the intent to contact LHCDC to determine if immediate operations could commence using existing funding for approximately 30 days, with a subsequent request to the board for ongoing appropriations.
- A motion was made to direct staff to look at a one-year transition period with the ultimate goal of transitioning to GoodSAM, including provisions for contacting LHCDC and utilizing existing funding for the initial period. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Adjournment and Memorial
- Supervisor Gray requested to adjourn the meeting in honor of Ernie Rigetti, who passed away that morning. The meeting was adjourned, with the next session scheduled for March 6 in Santa Barbara.