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Planning Commission

Planning CommissionMay 6, 2026

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BodyPlanning Commission
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 May 6, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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Meeting Summary: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission

  • Date: May 6th Presiding: Chair Reed

1. Projection Report

  • Staff provided a status report on upcoming hearings scheduled for May, June, and July. Locations included Santa Barbara and Santa Maria. A question was raised regarding the timing of a June 10th hearing involving a development plan permit for a transfer of an asphalt refinery. Staff noted that previous experience with similar items suggests a significant amount of time for public comment. It was indicated that scheduling for future dates might be adjusted, particularly regarding the June 10th hearing, due to Chair Reed's pending departure from the commission.

2. Public Comment

  • No members of the public submitted speaker slips or requested to speak on items not on the agenda.

3. Informational Reports

  • Commissioner Reports: Chair Reed announced that due to family issues and relocation, his last meeting as a commissioner would be May 27th.
  • Staff Reports: Staff issued a warning regarding fraudulent emails targeting applicants with fake invoices and wiring instructions. Staff advised applicants to use the official county website for payments and noted that the District Attorney and Sheriff were involved in the investigation. Staff provided updates on Board of Supervisors items, including a second reading on a local preference ordinance, a briefing on ministerial permits, and an upcoming vote on prohibiting new oil and gas drilling.

4. Waived Public Hearing

  • A waived public hearing was listed on the standard agenda for notification purposes only. No action was required on this item.

5. Utility-Scale Solar Amendments Project (Case Numbers 24 ORD 28, 29, 26GPA5, 26GPA6)

  • Staff presented revisions to the ordinance regarding utility-scale solar projects, following direction from the previous hearing and recommendations from the Clean Coalition. Key topics included modifications to Tier 1 exemptions, acreage caps for Tier 3 (utility-scale) projects, and potential prohibitions in the Coastal Zone and Gaviota Coast Planning Area.
  • Discussion Points:
  • Tier 1 Modifications: Commissioners discussed expanding exemptions for solar canopies on developed sites with no size limits and allowing ground-mounted solar on developed sites up to five acres without planning permits. Staff noted an option to allow an additional 0.25 acres for battery energy storage systems paired with solar in Tier 1.
  • Acreage Cap: Staff presented options for a countywide cap on Tier 3 projects to balance renewable energy development with agricultural resource protection. Options included caps of 8,000, 16,000, or 24,000 acres. Commissioners discussed the impact of caps on future technology and agricultural land use.
  • Exclusion Areas: Staff presented options to prohibit Tier 3 solar in the Coastal Zone or Gaviota Coast Planning Area. Commissioners debated whether to allow exceptions for specific industrial or oil and gas sites versus maintaining broader prohibitions.
  • Public Comment: Speakers from Central Coast Community Energy, the Clean Coalition, the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, the City of Carpinteria, the Grower Shipper Association, and other organizations provided testimony. Comments generally supported the ordinance but varied on recommendations regarding acreage caps and exclusions.
  • Decisions and Votes:
  • Motion 1: A motion was made to accept staff recommendations as revised, including the establishment of an acreage cap, with the specific acreage amount to be determined by a second motion. The motion was seconded.
  • Vote Outcome: Passed 4 to 0.
  • Motion 2: A motion was made to set the countywide acreage cap for Tier 3 utility-scale solar at 16,000 acres. The motion was seconded.
  • Vote Outcome: Passed 3 to 1.
  • Exclusion Areas: The Commission decided not to establish prohibitions on utility-scale solar in the Coastal Zone or Gaviota Coast Planning Area.

6. Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned.