Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Administrative Matters
- The board approved the July 2 minutes and the administrative agenda unanimously.
- Item A1 (Veteran of the Month) was continued until July 16 due to the honoree’s absence.
Public Utilities Commission Power Shutoffs
- Supervisor Hartman agreed to agendize the issue of potential PUC power shutoffs.
- PG&E is scheduled to present to the Adult and Aging Network regarding risks to vulnerable residents.
Student Affordability and Funding
- County Counsel clarified that specific scholarship and loan funds are typically the purview of school districts.
- The county is coordinating with UCSB, state legislators, and student groups to hold a fall workshop on affordability resources.
LAFCO Appointment
- The board unanimously appointed Joan Hartman to the Local Agency Formation Commission for a term expiring March 1, 2023.
Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments
- The board adopted Option 3, prohibiting commercial cannabis on Ag-1 lots of 20 acres or less and requiring CUPs for larger lots.
- The board unanimously adopted expanded notice requirements for cannabis projects in Existing Developed Rural Neighborhoods.
- A motion to require CUPs for Ag-2 properties was withdrawn to be discussed under a separate agenda item.
- The board adopted staff recommendations for parcel size restrictions and notice requirements.
Business Licensing Ordinance Amendments
- Staff presented five potential amendment areas, including countywide cultivation limits and concurrent processing of permits.
- The board placed the item on the agenda for conceptual direction rather than a formal vote.
- The board indicated it would return to the item after a break to finalize direction and adoption.
Meeting Continuation
- The board decided to continue the meeting until July 16 in Santa Barbara.
- Specific agenda placement for the continued session will be determined later and posted on the agenda.
Closed Session
- The board reported a unanimous vote to initiate civil litigation in the case of Shepard v. County of Santa Barbara.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Administrative Matters
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors called the meeting to order, took a roll call, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Fire Marshal Daryl Delgado provided safety instructions. The board approved the minutes from the July 2 meeting unanimously. The board also approved the administrative agenda unanimously, with the condition that Item A1 (Veteran of the Month) be continued until July 16 due to the honoree’s absence.
General Public Comment
- Thirteen speakers addressed the board on general topics. Andy Caldwell (CoLab) urged the board to agendize potential Public Utilities Commission (PUC) power shutoffs, citing risks to elderly residents and medical equipment. Supervisor Hartman agreed to agendize the issue and noted that PG&E would present to the Adult and Aging Network. Multiple speakers spoke in support of using cannabis tax revenue or other county resources to address student food insecurity, housing instability, and college affordability at UCSB and Santa Barbara City College. Supervisor Hartman requested County Counsel to address the legal authority for the county to fund scholarships or loans. County Counsel Gazzone explained that specific scholarship and loan funds are typically the purview of school districts under Education Code statutes. Supervisor Hartman stated that the county is working with UCSB, state legislators, and Associated Students to hold a workshop in the fall to discuss current resources and proposals for addressing student affordability.
Departmental Item D1: LAFCO Appointment
- The board heard a request from the County Executive Office to appoint a member to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for a term expiring March 1, 2023. CEO Miyasato explained that Supervisor Hartman’s previous term had expired and required reappointment. A motion was made and seconded to appoint Joan Hartman to the LAFCO term. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D2: Cannabis Land Use Ordinance Amendments
- Planning and Development staff presented recommendations from the Planning Commission to amend the County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance Article 2 regarding commercial cannabis in Agricultural 1 (Ag-1) zones. Staff presented two main options: Alternative A (prohibiting commercial cannabis on specific Ag-1 sub-zones and smaller lots) and Alternative B (requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for all commercial cannabis activities on Ag-1 lands). Staff also proposed expanded noticing requirements for cannabis projects in Existing Developed Rural Neighborhoods (EDRNs) and Rural Neighborhoods (RNs). The Planning Commission recommended Alternative B. Staff noted that no subsequent environmental review under CEQA was required for these amendments.
- Public comment was received from numerous individuals and representatives, including industry supporters, residents, and city officials. Speakers expressed views on job creation, environmental practices, odor control, and the economic impact of the industry. Some speakers requested bans on Ag-1 zones, CUPs for all operations, and stricter enforcement. Others supported the current regulatory framework and opposed further restrictions.
- The board discussed the impacts of cannabis cultivation on other agricultural sectors and the challenges related to pesticide drift and testing standards. Supervisor Adams supported a ban on Ag-1 lots under 20 acres, CUPs for all other cannabis production, and increased notice to adjacent parcels. Supervisor Hartman supported increased notice and the ban on Ag-1 lots under 20 acres, raising concerns about cultivation near urban-rural boundaries. Supervisor Williams supported banning cultivation on Ag-1 lots under 20 acres, requiring CUPs for Ag-1 lots between 20 and 40 acres, and withdrawing consent from operators with expired temporary licenses. He opposed requiring CUPs for all Ag-2 properties. Supervisor Doss supported increased notice, the ban on Ag-1 lots under 20 acres, CUPs for Ag-1 lots between 20 and 40 acres, and enforcement against operators with expired licenses.
- The board took the following actions on Item D2: 1. Motion to Adopt Option 3 for Ag-1 Inland: Prohibit commercial cannabis activities on Ag-1 zone lots equal to or less than 20 acres in size. Require a CUP for Ag-1 zone lots greater than 20 acres in size. Moved by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Williams. Passed (4-1). 2. Motion to Adopt Notice Requirements: Provide notice to all property owners within an EDRN, on lots adjacent to an EDRN, or requiring use of a roadway within an EDRN as the sole means of access. Moved by Supervisor Adams, seconded by Supervisor Hartman. Passed (Unanimous). 3. Motion to Require CUPs on Ag-2: Require CUPs for cannabis cultivation on Ag-2 zoned properties. Moved by Supervisor Adams, seconded by Supervisor Hartman. Withdrawn by the mover and seconder before a vote was taken. Supervisor Hartman suggested discussing this under Agenda Item D3.
- The board reported a unanimous vote to initiate civil litigation in the case of Shepard v. County of Santa Barbara during a closed session.
- Staff presented the specific ordinance amendments reflecting the board's decisions. 4. Motion to Adopt Staff Recommendations (Parcel Size/Ag-1): Adopt staff recommendations regarding parcel size restrictions for Ag-1 inland zones as presented. Moved by Supervisor Adams, seconded by Supervisor Pence. Passed (4-1). 5. Motion to Adopt Staff Recommendations (Notice): Adopt staff recommendations regarding notice requirements. Moved by Supervisor Adams, seconded by Supervisor Hartman. Passed (Unanimous).
Departmental Item D3: Potential Amendments to Chapter 50 (Business Licensing Ordinance) – Cannabis Cultivation
- Staff presented five potential areas for amendment to Chapter 50 to improve the effectiveness of the cannabis regulatory system: 1. Countywide Cultivation Limits: Options included capping the number of operations, capping the number of acres, a combination of both, or maintaining existing regulations. 2. Odor Control Timing: Options included requiring demonstration of odor control effectiveness during the business license review phase or maintaining current regulations. 3. Concurrent Processing: Proposed concurrent review of land use permits and business licenses to reduce the time lag between permit issuance and license issuance. 4. Eligibles List for Carpinteria Ag Overlay: Proposed creating an "eligibles list" where approval of a land use entitlement pre-qualifies an operator for a slot in the 186-acre cap. 5. Hearing Officer Pool: Proposed broadening the definition of eligible hearing officers to include "alternative hearing examiners" to prevent overburdening the limited pool of county department executives and managers.
- Staff reported recent enforcement actions, including the seizure of 20 tons of marijuana and the removal of 350,000 plants. Staff noted that as of the previous week, Santa Barbara County had 10 active state temporary licenses and 669 active state provisional cultivation licenses. Staff clarified that state provisional licenses are not exempt from CEQA and that the board directed in January 2019 that licenses could be authorized as having CEQA underway if a land use permit application had been accepted.
- Public comment was received from residents, industry representatives, and city officials. Key themes included requests for stricter buffers, caps on acreage and operations, and CUPs for Ag-2 outdoor cultivation. Speakers also expressed support for the current regulations, emphasizing economic benefits and job creation. Some speakers raised concerns about non-compliant operators and requested stricter verification of pre-2016 cultivation status.
- The board did not take a formal vote on the amendments in this segment. The item was placed on the agenda for the board to provide conceptual direction to staff. The board indicated it would return to the item after a break to finalize direction and adoption.
Meeting Adjournment/Continuation
- The board decided to continue the meeting until July 16th in Santa Barbara. The chair stated that the specific agenda placement for the continued meeting would be determined later and posted on the agenda. No formal motion, second, or recorded vote outcome is present in this transcript segment for the continuation.