Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Thomas Fire and January 9, 2018 Debris Flow Recovery Update
- Staff reported that the county is leading recovery efforts in partnership with state and federal agencies, focusing on returning residents and supporting repairs.
- Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of material were removed from roads, with an estimated 400,000 cubic yards removed from debris basins.
- A Long Term Recovery Group has been established to manage case management, finance, and community wellness, while the Montecito Center opened to provide one-on-one support.
- The Board directed staff to return with an ordinance amendment regarding "like-for-like" rebuilding definitions to allow flexibility for resilience.
Oak Hills Estates Project (Planning and Development)
- The project proposes a rezone and 30-lot subdivision in the Vandenberg Village area, with staff recommending approval subject to conditions.
- The EIR identified one unavoidable significant impact to aesthetics, with mitigation proposed through off-site planting of native maritime chaparral.
- Board members raised concerns about the long-term viability of the proposed off-site mitigation site and requested additional options such as drainage restoration.
- The Board voted to continue the item to June 19, 2017, to allow the applicant time to explore and present additional mitigation options.
Bell Street Ordinance Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, and Mixed-Use Land Use Permit (Los Alamos)
- Staff presented a proposal for a mixed-use development including two duplex structures and one commercial structure at 230 St. Joseph Street.
- The project requires an amendment to the Land Use and Development Code to allow residential uses on the ground floor of buildings abutting a through street.
- A supplemental EIR concluded there are no new significant environmental effects and no new mitigation measures are required.
- The Board approved staff’s recommendation to adopt the ordinance amendment and approve the tentative tract map and land use permit.
Coastal Resiliency Project – Briefing and Initial Feedback
- Staff presented a four-phase initiative to address sea level rise hazards, noting that Phases 1–3 are complete and Phase 4 involves a Local Coastal Program amendment.
- Vulnerability assessments identified approximately 765 acres of residential land and nearly 800 structures potentially vulnerable by 2100.
- Policy discussions covered bluff setbacks, septic system considerations, and the distinction between repairs and new development.
- The Board accepted staff’s recommendations to proceed with updating draft policies based on feedback.
Federal Homeless Continuum of Care (COC) Program Update
- Staff requested the Board consider assuming the role of COC Lead Agency after the Central Coast Collaborative could no longer serve in that capacity.
- The Board discussed the return of funds previously appropriated to the former lead agency and the scaling down of Board representation on the policy council.
- Staff indicated they would return in April to discuss staffing options for the additional lead agency responsibilities.
- The Board approved the county’s assumption of the COC Lead Agency role and directed staff to seek the return of funds used for administrative roles.
Closed Session
- The Board considered two matters of anticipated litigation with legal counsel.
- Real property negotiations were conducted for properties at 4 East Carrillo Street and 1674 Oak Street.
- The Board unanimously appointed Diane Black as the Interim Planning and Development Director, effective March 30, 2018.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Administrative Matters
- The meeting was called to order on March 13. Roll call was taken, noting one supervisor participating remotely due to illness. The meeting was conducted in compliance with Brown Act teleconference provisions.
- Approval of Minutes (February 27): A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 27 meeting. The motion passed 4-0.
- Administrative Agenda: An announcement was made regarding an agenda addendum posted the previous week. The addendum amended a closed session item to include a public employee appointment and modified recommendations for a Community Services departmental item, changing the voting requirement from a four-fifths vote to a standard vote. Item A28-A regarding the California Statewide Communities Development Authority’s Open PACE program was identified as requiring an affirmative vote to adopt a resolution for a set hearing on April 3. A motion was made and seconded to move the administrative agenda, including Item A28-A. The motion passed 4-0.
- Public Comment: No requests to speak were received for items not on the agenda.
Agenda Item 1: Thomas Fire and January 9, 2018 Debris Flow Recovery Update
- Staff from the County Executive Office, Communications, and Planning/Development provided updates on disaster recovery efforts.
- Recovery Status: Staff reported that the county is leading recovery efforts in partnership with Cal OES, FEMA, and other agencies. Key objectives include returning residents, supporting repairs, and developing community resiliency. The January 9 debris flow impacted approximately 50 miles of county roads, over 200 culverts, and 20 bridges. Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of material were removed from roads, with an estimated 400,000 cubic yards removed from debris basins with assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers. Staff noted that stream channel and debris basin clearing will be an ongoing activity for the next two to five years after each storm event.
- Communications: The communications program utilizes a Joint Information Center (JIC) to manage web content, social media, press releases, and Spanish language outreach. Key goals include encouraging sign-ups for "Aware and Prepare" alerts, conveying storm risks, and ensuring consistent evacuation messaging. Staff reported 1,300 registrants in the Montecito area for the alert system.
- Long-Term Recovery: A Long Term Recovery Group has been established with components for case management, finance/fundraising, volunteer coordination, construction coordination, community wellness, and community assessment. The "Rebuilding Montecito Stakeholder Process" was initiated to encourage community input. The Montecito Center opened to provide one-on-one support. The county partnered with "Partners for Resilient Communities" for disaster relief expertise.
- Rebuilding Guidelines: Planning and Development staff presented a draft document addressing rebuilding standards after a debris flow, noting that landforms have changed and flood maps may no longer be accurate. Staff advised property owners to avoid significant design expenditures until county-sponsored studies are complete over the next three months.
- Public Comment: One member of the public commented on the need for long-term infrastructure solutions, including dams/reservoirs, maximizing river conveyance capacity, engaging federal/state governments on land management policies, and addressing permitting barriers for private landowners accepting debris.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to:
- 1. Receive and file the update on the 1-9 debris flow community disaster recovery efforts. 2. Receive the update from Planning, Development, and Flood Control on the expected permitting/rebuild process. 3. Direct staff to return with an ordinance amendment regarding the definition of "like-for-like" rebuilding to allow flexibility for resilience as long as setbacks are respected. 4. Determine the actions are not subject to CEQA review. The motion passed 4-0.
Agenda Item D3: Oak Hills Estates Project (Planning and Development)
- Project Overview: The project is located in the Vandenberg Village area, north and west of the Burton Mesa Ecological Preserve. It consists of four entitlements: a rezone from Residential Ranchette to Design Residential (1.8 units/acre), a vesting tentative tract map dividing 16.8 acres into 30 lots (29 single-family homes, 1 open space lot), a development plan, and a road naming application. The project proposes phased development with no immediate construction.
- Environmental Impact Report (EIR): A draft EIR was circulated in early 2017, leading to comments from Fish and Wildlife agencies regarding sensitive species. A revised draft EIR was circulated in summer 2017. The EIR identified one Class 1 unavoidable significant impact to aesthetics. Nine other issue areas had potentially significant but mitigable impacts.
- Mitigation: The project proposes on-site mitigation and off-site mitigation at a 123-acre site south of the Clubhouse Estates project, owned by the Vandenberg Village CSD. This site is currently undergoing weed abatement and reseeding for the Clubhouse Estates project. The Oak Hills project proposes to plant native maritime chaparral in cleared areas to offset impacts.
- Alternatives: The EIR identified three alternatives: No Project (identified as the Environmentally Superior Alternative), a clustered condominium project, and a reduced unit alternative (20 homes). The reduced unit alternative was deemed infeasible because it still resulted in a Class 1 impact and was not substantially less impactful than the proposed project.
- Planning Commission Action: The Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend denial of the zone change in December 2017. A motion to approve the project failed 2-2, which is deemed a denial under commission procedures.
- Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended making required findings for approval, certifying the final EIR, adopting the rezone ordinance, and approving the vesting tentative tract map, development plan, and road naming subject to conditions.
- Ex Parte Contacts: Supervisors Hartman, Williams, and the Chair reported meetings with the applicant’s representative. Supervisor Wolf and Supervisor Adams reported no contacts.
- Board Questions and Staff Responses:
- Oil Pipelines: Staff confirmed an H2S pipeline is located approximately 1,800 feet north of the site, outside the 350-foot hazard zone.
- Access: There are three driveways requiring grading.
- Oak Trees: Infrastructure construction would remove 74 oak trees, replaced at a 10:1 ratio. Future development could impact up to 53 additional trees, also replaced at 10:1.
- Drainage: The central drainage is ephemeral. The project intends to avoid disturbing it. No restoration is currently proposed for the central drainage.
- Off-Site Mitigation: The site is owned by the Vandenberg Village CSD. The project will utilize areas cleared of invasive weeds by the Clubhouse Estates project to plant native chaparral.
- Public Benefit: Staff stated that providing housing and paying in-lieu fees for affordable housing constitute public benefits. A trail was previously proposed but removed due to potential impacts on a vernal pool.
- Environmentally Superior Alternative: Staff explained that the reduced unit alternative was deemed infeasible because it still resulted in a Class 1 aesthetic impact and was not substantially less impactful than the proposed 29-home project.
- Applicant Presentation: The applicant presented project details, noting the site is within the Vandenberg Village urban boundary with limited remaining developable land. The project clusters development to preserve over 50% of the site as open space and includes buffers along an ephemeral drainage and the Burton Mesa Preserve boundary. The applicant discussed plans for off-site compensatory mitigation, including potential restoration of a fallow bean farm near the Burton Mesa Preserve, and noted that long-term management funding would be secured through an endowment managed by the Homeowners Association. The applicant presented demographic data indicating a projected need for 784 owner-occupied homes in the Vandenberg Village/Lompoc area over the next five years.
- Board Discussion:
- Questions were raised regarding restoring the central drainage and the placement of mature oaks along Clubhouse Drive. The applicant confirmed that drainage improvements are under discussion with the Flood Control District and that planting mature oaks is part of the oak mitigation plan.
- Concerns were expressed about the long-term viability of the proposed off-site mitigation site (Lot 54), noting it is surrounded by roads and may not sustain restoration. The applicant’s biologist agreed that Lot 54 is insufficient for full mitigation and confirmed that alternative sites are being explored.
- Questions were asked about brown structures depicted on the applicant’s presentation cover slide. The applicant identified them as a separate, pending condominium project included for context and accounted for in the EIR’s cumulative impact analysis.
- Questions were asked if smaller lot sizes or fewer units were considered to increase on-site open space buffers. The applicant explained that lot sizes were determined by economic feasibility and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods, and that reducing units further would increase per-unit costs due to fixed mitigation expenses.
- Support for the project was expressed, citing the need for housing and the project’s existing open space ratio.
- It was stated that while supportive of the project, the board should ensure adequate mitigation, preferably on-site or with secure long-term management.
- It was stated that the project could not be supported as proposed because the necessary findings regarding community benefit could not be made at this time.
- A preference was indicated for retaining the unit count but improving mitigation, with on-site mitigation being the top priority.
- Support for the unit count was expressed, but better mitigation options were requested, including drainage restoration and a pocket park, and the ability to review these options before final approval.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to accept staff’s recommendations and approve the project. A substitute motion was proposed to continue the item to allow time for the applicant to explore and present additional mitigation options, including drainage restoration, a pocket park, and off-site mitigation with long-term management endowments. The substitute motion was seconded. The Board voted on the motion to continue the item to June 19, 2017, with direction to staff and the applicant to return with the requested mitigation details. The motion passed 4-1.
Agenda Item: Bell Street Ordinance Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, and Mixed-Use Land Use Permit (Los Alamos)
- Staff Presentation: Staff presented a proposal for a mixed-use development at 230 St. Joseph Street in Los Alamos. The project includes a one-lot subdivision containing two duplex structures (four residential units) and one commercial structure (~5,200 sq. ft.). The project requires an amendment to the Land Use and Development Code to allow residential uses on the ground floor of buildings that abut a through street or secondary street on a lot with a Bell Street frontage. The project complies with CMLA density standards. A supplemental EIR was prepared under CEQA Guidelines Section 15168C. Staff concluded there are no new significant environmental effects and no new mitigation measures are required. Staff recommended adopting the ordinance amendment, approving the tentative tract map and land use permit subject to conditions, and making the required findings.
- Applicant Presentation: The project architect stated that the project is the first to go through the Bell Street guidelines in some respects.
- Board Comments: Comments were made expressing pleasure at the project moving forward and complimenting the staff’s visual presentation.
- Public Comment: No requests to speak were received.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve staff’s recommendation on page 2 of the staff report, items A through F. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 4-0.
Agenda Item 4: Coastal Resiliency Project – Briefing and Initial Feedback
- Presentation: Staff presented the Coastal Resiliency Project, a four-phase initiative to address sea level rise hazards. Phases 1–3 (modeling, vulnerability assessment, adaptation strategies) are complete; Phase 4 involves a Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment. The project aims to provide predictability for permit applicants and prepare for hazards such as erosion, flooding, and wave run-up.
- Key Findings:
- Sea level rise projections range up to 27 inches by 2060 and 60 inches by 2100.
- Vulnerability assessment identified approximately 765 acres of residential land and nearly 800 structures potentially vulnerable by 2100.
- Public facilities: No police or emergency medical facilities are vulnerable. Two schools and one fire station are partially within the hazard zone, requiring close to 5 feet of sea level rise for impact.
- The Gaviot Oil Terminal is not projected to be impacted.
- Policy Discussion:
- Bluff Setbacks: Staff explained that setbacks are determined on a case-by-case basis based on a 75-year life of the project, incorporating sea level rise considerations. A 50-year setback may apply if the 75-year setback renders the property unbuildable.
- Septic Systems: Staff noted that septic system setbacks are considered within the bluff top setback policy context.
- Repairs vs. New Development: Staff clarified that policies will not preclude repairs or maintenance of existing structures.
- Buffers: Staff acknowledged a potential inconsistency with the Goleta Community Plan regarding buffer minimums and committed to reviewing for consistency.
- Disclosure: Staff discussed a policy requiring disclosure of coastal vulnerabilities to property owners. A suggestion was made to remove the phrase "if possible" to ensure mandatory evaluation. Staff agreed to review the language.
- Isla Vista Bluff Collapse: Staff explained that the current project is compatible with, but distinct from, the specific Isla Vista bluff retreat policies.
- Sediment Management: Staff noted that Beacon is seeking grants for sediment management and that the county coordinates with Caltrans and SB CAG on Highway 101 adaptation planning.
- Public Comment: One speaker opposed the project, arguing that preparing for sea level rise 50–80 years away is disproportionate compared to preparing for more frequent events like fires and earthquakes, and criticized proposed policies regarding public vs. private stairways and property removal.
- Future Steps: Staff will update draft policies based on feedback and return to Planning Commissions for recommendations later in the spring. The LCP amendment is anticipated for the Board later in the summer or fall.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to accept staff’s recommendations. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 3-0 (one supervisor was absent).
Agenda Item 5: Federal Homeless Continuum of Care (COC) Program Update
- Presentation: Staff presented an update on the COC program, noting that the Central Coast Collaborative (C3H) can no longer serve as the COC Lead Agency. The county currently serves as the Collaborative Applicant, HMIS Lead Agency, and Grant Administrator. Staff requested the Board consider assuming the role of COC Lead Agency to ensure program stability and coordination.
- Discussion:
- Funding: An inquiry was made about the $90,000 previously appropriated to C3H. Staff and the CEO clarified that C3H has been absorbed into the United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County, and the funds are currently being used for gap funding for the coordinated entry system. The CEO requested that if the county assumes the lead agency role, the Board direct staff to seek the return of funds used for administrative roles previously held by C3H.
- Representation: Board representation on the C3H policy council (now the Funders Collaborative) is being scaled down from two supervisors to one.
- Staffing: Staff indicated they would return in April to discuss staffing options for the additional lead agency responsibilities.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to accept staff’s recommendation per the revised board letter, including:
- 1. Receive and file the COC program update. 2. Approve the county’s assumption of the COC Lead Agency role. 3. Provide further direction to staff to reach out to the COC regarding the appropriate refund of funds. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 3-0 (one supervisor was absent).
Closed Session
- Items Considered:
- 1. Two matters of anticipated litigation with legal counsel. 2. Real property negotiations for properties at 4 East Carrillo Street (Santa Barbara) and 1674 Oak Street (Solvang). 3. Appointment of an Interim Planning and Development Director.
- Reportable Action: The Board unanimously appointed Diane Black as the Interim Planning and Development Director, effective March 30, 2018. The recommended base salary is approximately $175,000, with a biweekly benefit allowance of $249 and a biweekly car allowance of $214.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
- The Chair proposed postponing remaining items to the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20th, at 9 a.m. in Santa Barbara.