Meeting Summary
Present: Cooney, Ford, Park, Reed
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
Agenda Status Report
- Staff outlined upcoming hearings for March and April, including items for solar projects, a Chick-fil-A development, and oil and gas ordinances.
- No items are currently projected for the April 1 hearing, leading to a recommendation for its cancellation.
- A hearing on April 29 is projected for a development plan and CDP in the Solomon area.
Motion to Cancel April 1 Hearing
- A motion was made and seconded to cancel the April 1 Planning Commission hearing due to a lack of projected items.
- The motion passed with all members voting in favor.
Planning Commissioner Informational Reports
- One Commissioner reported on agricultural conferences, highlighting discussions on revenue, the Ag Enterprise Element ordinance, and agricultural culture.
- Another Commissioner shared updates on coursework regarding CEQA exemptions and local housing programs for moderate-income production.
Case No. 25RZN-3 (Hagfors Rezone Project)
- Staff presented a request to rezone a 1.4-acre lot in San Ynez from Retail Commercial to General Commercial to allow for a personal storage facility.
- Commissioners discussed access via Highway 246 and the broader use allowances of the General Commercial zone compared to Retail.
- The Commission adopted staff recommendations to recommend a CEQA exemption to the Board of Supervisors and amend the zoning map.
2025 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report (APR)
- Staff presented the state-mandated report detailing progress on the 2023–2031 Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
- The county has completed 58 of 99 housing actions and issued 612 building permits in 2025, though it remains subject to SB 423 streamlining provisions.
- Commissioners inquired about ADU production methodologies, farm worker housing status, and the county's capacity buffer regarding "no net loss" triggers.
- The Commission voted to receive and file the report, authorize its submission to state and local entities, and determine it is not subject to CEQA.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Pledge of Allegiance and TV Coverage Announcement
- The hearing opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk of the Board announced that the hearing was being televised live on CSB TV Channel 20 and streamed on the county’s website and YouTube channel.
Agenda Item: Roll Call
- The Clerk of the Board conducted a roll call. Commissioners Cooney, Ford, Park, and Reed were present. Commissioner Martinez was noted as joining shortly.
Agenda Item: Agenda Status Report
- Staff reported on upcoming hearings. The next hearing is scheduled for March 11 in Santa Maria, featuring a government code consistency item and ordinance amendments related to utility-scale solar projects. A hearing on March 25 in Santa Barbara will address a Chick-fil-A project and a comprehensive plan/zone map amendment in the Eastern Goleta Valley. Staff reported that no items are currently projected for the April 1 hearing and recommended its cancellation. A hearing on April 8 in Santa Maria is projected for oil and gas ordinance amendments, and a hearing on April 29 is projected for a development plan and CDP in the Solomon area. No items are projected for May.
Agenda Item: Motion to Cancel April 1 Hearing
- A motion was made to cancel the April 1 Planning Commission hearing. The motion was seconded. All members in favor voted aye. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: General Public Comment
- The Chair opened the floor for general public comment on items not on the agenda. No members of the public were present in person or online to provide comment.
Agenda Item: Planning Commissioner Informational Reports
- Commissioners provided informational reports. One Commissioner reported on attendance at the Econ Alliance Ag Forum and the Ag Econ Ag Conference, noting discussions on agricultural revenue, the impact of the Ag Enterprise Element ordinance, and the importance of understanding agricultural culture. Another Commissioner reported on coursework regarding CEQA exemptions and housing incentives, noting that some jurisdictions are creating local housing programs to address moderate-income housing production.
Agenda Item: Minutes of February 11 Hearing
- The Commission considered the minutes from the February 11 hearing. No additions, deletions, or corrections were offered. A motion was made to approve the minutes. All members in favor voted aye. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Case No. 25RZN-3 (Hagfors Rezone Project)
- Staff presented a request to rezone a 1.4-acre vacant lot at the southeast end of San Ynez from Retail Commercial (C2) to General Commercial (C3). The applicant expressed interest in developing a personal storage facility, which is not allowed under the C2 zone. Staff noted that no development is proposed as part of this action, and any future development would require additional land use entitlements. Staff determined the rezone is consistent with the San Ynez Valley Community Plan, which designates the area for general commercial use. Staff found the project statutorily exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15183 because it is consistent with the community plan and does not result in new significant impacts.
- Commissioners asked questions regarding access to the parcel, noting a ravine behind the site, and confirmed that access would be via Highway 246 with a Caltrans encroachment permit. Commissioners discussed the difference between retail and general commercial uses, noting that general commercial allows for broader uses such as storage and vehicle services, which may be preferable for traffic management compared to retail.
- A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendations, which include recommending to the Board of Supervisors that the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA and adopting an ordinance to amend the zoning map. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken. All members in favor voted aye. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: 2025 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report (APR)
- Staff presented the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report, a state-mandated report detailing the county’s progress on implementing the Comprehensive Plan and meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The report covers the 2023–2031 housing cycle.
- Key points from the presentation included:
- Housing Element Implementation: The county has completed 58 of 99 actions in the 2023–2031 Housing Element Update, with 38 in progress. Examples of 2025 progress included the delivery of 12 affordable units under the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, the issuance of 226 ADU building permits (exceeding the goal of 180), the development of four pre-approved ADU design plans, and the annexation of three rezoned sites into wastewater district boundaries.
- RHNA Progress: The unincorporated county was allocated 5,664 units for the cycle, split between the South Coast (4,142 units) and North County (1,522 units). In 2025, the county issued 452 building permits in the South Coast and 160 in the North County.
- Affordability: In the South Coast, 111 units were very low-income, 195 were low-income, 0 were moderate-income, and 146 were above-moderate income. In the North County, 101 units were low-income, 2 were moderate-income, and 57 were above-moderate income.
- SB 423 Implications: Due to slow progress in meeting low and very low-income RHNA goals, the county remains subject to SB 423 streamlining provisions, which require 50% affordability for qualifying developments. No SB 423 applications were received in 2025.
- Capacity and No Net Loss: Staff explained that the county monitors capacity to ensure it can meet RHNA requirements. A "no net loss" trigger would require additional rezoning if capacity falls below a certain threshold. Staff reported that the county has not triggered this condition and maintains a buffer.
- Commissioners asked questions regarding:
- The distinction between "in progress" and "continuous" actions in the housing element.
- The methodology for determining whether ADU production is a result of county efforts or independent market activity.
- The status of the program to pursue 100 affordable housing units for farm workers, which is currently in progress.
- The impact of new housing on market prices and affordability, with staff noting it is too early to determine if increased supply has lowered prices.
- The process for determining unit affordability for market-rate units, which involves using HCD’s affordability calculator and local price data.
- The implications of not meeting RHNA goals, specifically regarding SB 423 and the potential for future rezoning if capacity is exhausted.
- Staff clarified that the APR is an administrative activity not subject to CEQA. Staff recommended that the Commission receive and file the report, authorize staff to submit it to the Board of Supervisors, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, State HCD, and the City of Santa Barbara, and determine that the preparation of the report is not subject to CEQA.
- A motion was made to receive and file the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report, authorize staff to provide the report to the specified entities, and determine that the activity is not subject to CEQA. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken. All members in favor voted aye. The motion passed.
Adjournment
- The Chair adjourned the meeting.