Action Alert- January 12, 2009
Santa Barbara County Action Network
INFORMATION & ACTION ALERT
Greetings SB CAN members and friends! Please take a few moments to review the upcoming events and news. Here they are in brief:
1. Stop the oil spills! On-shore Oil Drilling Hearing, Board of Supervisors, January 13, Santa Maria
2. SBCAG Hearing on Unmet Transit Needs, January 15, Santa Maria
3. Affordable Housing Focused Rezone Hearing, Board of Supervisors, January 27, Santa Maria
4. Nominations open for SB CAN & SB CORE North County Community Hero Awards
5. Community Events: Two Inaugural Celebrations, January 20, 2009
Santa Maria - PRESIDENT OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION & DANCE
Santa Barbara - The UniTea Inaugural Ball
6. SB CAN Column: Balanced Planning Needed for Affordable Housing
Here's more detail:
1. On-shore Oil Drilling Update and Hearing
WHAT: On-shore Oil Drilling Hearing, Board of Supervisors
WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 9 AM (On-shore Oil Hearing, Agenda Item 7)
WHERE: Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
[Or attend by remote video at the Santa Barbara County Administration Building -105 E. Anapamu, 4th floor hearing room]
"It was a day of déja vu for the Santa Barbara County supervisors as the board kicked off 2009 much as they did 2008: dealing with the frequent and flagrant oil-spilling ways of Greka Energy. After the new officials were formally sworn in Tuesday morning, the freshly minted five-member board heard a report from County Fire officials about a series of four spills at North County Greka facilities that occurred during the Christmas holiday and which collectively leaked more than 12,000 gallons of crude oil and produced water." (Santa Barbara Independent, Jan.8, 2009)
This recent series of toxic leaks comes after the spillage of more than 450,000 gallons of oil and hazardous substances into our creeks and soil from Greka facilities since 2003. After a similar series of spills, SB CAN published a column exactly one year ago highlighting this issue and demanding action:"Greka must be held accountable for its history of neglect and irresponsibility, its failure to adequately repair or replace deteriorating infrastructure, and its disdain for county policies and regulations created to protect workers, the environment and human health. It is not enough to pay a monetary fine for this kind of irresponsibility. Habitual violators run the risk of being shut down permanently. Only businesses that take seriously their social responsibility, respect the rule of law and promote the welfare of the community should be allowed to operate in Santa Barbara County. Join us at the January 15 [2007] hearing on the Greka oil spills where we will be urging our Supervisors to take strong action to stop the spills and repeated violations."
Enough is enough. We urge you to join us once again-this time on January 13, 2009--to urge our Supervisors to revoke Greka's permits to operate in Santa Barbara County.
2. SBCAG Hearing on Unmet Transit Needs
WHAT: Hearing on Unmet Transit Needs
WHEN: Thursday, January 15, 10 AM (time certain)
WHERE: Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
[Or attend by remote video at the Santa Barbara County Administration Building -105 E. Anapamu, 4th floor hearing room]
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) seeks input from residents as to what new bus routes or service schedules are needed in north Santa Barbara County to address unmet transit needs, and how to improve the services. Specific suggestions are needed not only from regular transit users, but also from those who do not presently use the bus system-what is it that keeps you from using the present services?
This is the annual public hearing required by the State to document transit needs in areas where State transit funds are used for non-transit purposes. In the past, public outcry at this diversion of funds resulted in expanded transit services, including a new bus connecting Lompoc to Santa Maria; and funding for vanpools for agricultural workers. Furthermore, in 2008 for the first time ever, the City of Santa Maria used all of its TDA funds for transit, and it will do so again in 2009. This is a great victory for public transportation and sets an example for Lompoc and the County to follow.
Those who cannot attend are encouraged to put their comments on the record by contacting SBCAG at 961-8900 or comment@sbcag.org
NOTE: In preparation for this hearing, members of the Santa Maria Community Coalition-including SB CAN, PUEBLO, and other transit activists-are inviting residents to experience our local bus system. We are inviting people to ride buses on Monday, January 12, to the Santa Maria City Hall, where we will meet with local media at 10 AM to share our experiences using local transit system. We will also be reporting to SBCAG about our experiences at the hearing on the 15th.
3. Affordable Housing Focused Rezone Hearing
WHAT: Board of Supervisors Hearing
WHEN: Tuesday, January 27, 9 AM
WHERE: Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria
[Or attend by remote video at the Santa Barbara County Administration Building -105 E. Anapamu, 4th floor hearing room]
State law requires that each County conduct a Regional Housing Needs Assessment every five years to ensure that enough land is zoned for all income levels. Unfortunately our County largely mismanaged its obligation to rezone for high-density housing during the 2003-2008 process by not considering the real needs of the community. The County went from trying to put all the affordable housing rezones in the semi-rural Orcutt area, to putting all of them in Isla Vista, a tiny densely-populated community that serves a large university-hardly what you'd call "fair-share" housing that would meet the real needs of low-income families across the county. The State ended up certifying most of the rezones in Isla Vista, but the County must still account for an additional 370 units and is considering three sites in Orcutt. SB CAN advocates creating sustainable communities by building housing in urban areas within walking distance of basic needs and services, while also preserving open space and recreational areas. Our column at the end of this posting explains which sites we feel would be preferable for affordable housing. Join us on January 27 to urge the Supervisors to keep in mind the principles of sustainability when planning for affordable housing.
4. Nominations open for SB CAN & SB CORE North County Community Hero Awards
Help us honor North County Community Heroes! Each year we honor community heroes working or living in the northern part of our county. Award nominations are now open for individuals, community organizations, and local businesses from northern Santa Barbara County who have made significant contributions to the community. Awards will be presented at our 5th annual North County Community Celebration Dinner this spring (date and location TBA).
Last year's award recipients included: John Buttny (Social Justice Award); Guadalupe Dunes Center (Environmental Protection & Sustainability Award); Bess Connie Krieger (Giving Back to the Community Award); Eric Cardenas & the Central Coast Environmental Health Project (Working Families Award); and Joan Leon, ("Looking Forward" Award). Please take the time to nominate someone from your community who deserves recognition. Email us or go to sbcan.org for the nomination form and return by January 20, 2009. Email your nomination to deborah@sbcan.org, fax to 805-564-7188, or mail to SB CAN at P.O. Box 23453, Santa Barbara, CA 93121.
Criteria for Awards
* Must be working or living in northern or central Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez, Lo
* Must have demonstrated commitment to social equity, diversity, social and economic justice, and environmental protection.
* All awards open to individuals, local businesses, and community organizations.
Award Categories
1. Social Justice Award - For promoting fairness, tolerance, equality, respect and compassion for all people in our community.
2. Environmental Protection and Sustainability Award - For valuing, protecting, and preserving our natural resources and environment.
3. Giving Back to the Community Award - For giving back selflessly to the community through volunteer activities and community projects.
4. Working Families Award - For helping to improve the quality of life for working families. This could include helping obtain affordable healthcare, housing, transportation, educational and job opportunities; or helping to improve wages, benefits, working conditions, and worker rights.
5. "Looking Forward" Award - For strong leadership and vision in community building, civic engagement, and improving the quality of life in our community.
5. Community Events: Two Inaugural Balls
WHAT: PRESIDENT OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION & DANCE
WHERE: YOYO Club, 725 E. Foster, Santa Maria
WHEN: Jan 20, 2009, 7-10 p.m.
January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will be sworn in as President of the United States and give his inaugural address to what is expected to be the largest in-person crowd in history. That evening in Santa Maria we will be dancing at the YOYO Center to the Dr. Danger band playing soul, rock, blues. Dance and celebration is sponsored by the Democratic Club of the Santa Maria Valley. Please join us in this exciting celebration. Due to limited space-advanced tickets may be purchased at the Democratic Club, 327 E. Plaza Dr. #2, weekdays 11-2 p.m. Cost is $10, students with card $6. Voting age public welcome. No host bar-light snacks.
WHAT: The UniTea Inaugural Ball
WHERE: The Granada, 1214 State Street, Santa Barbara
WHEN: January 20, 2009, 7-11 PM
Come join us for a night of "dressing to the nines" and whoopin' it up at SB's UniTea Inaugural Ball 2009! We will be celebrating President-Elect Obama's theme of "Community helping Community" for this historic event at the Granada Theater. Santa Barbara's own will be donating their time and talent for your listening and dancing pleasure....70's, 80's, 90's funk band, Area 51; Salsa band, SomosSon; Blues and rock singer, Tina Schlieske; and legendary rocker, Alan Parsons. Tickets can be purchased at uniteaball.org.. Space is limited so purchase your tickets soon. All ticket proceeds, administered by the Unity Shoppe, will benefit those who are the uninsured and under-insured survivors of the Tea Fire. For more info, go to www.uniteaball.org
6. SB CAN Column: Balanced Planning Needed for Affordable Housing
Every second and fourth Friday, SB CAN writes for the Looking Forward column in the Santa Maria Times. All of our columns are posted on our website www.sbcan.org under the "SB CAN Editorials." Our columns can also be found in the Lompoc Record and Noozhawk.com.
Balanced Planning Needed for Affordable Housing
By Deborah Brasket, SB CAN Executive Director
The County has been facing a serious shortage of affordable housing for its middle- and low-income residents for quite some time now. The collapse of the national housing market has been especially hard on families living in the northern part of our county. Families seeking the American dream of home ownership have outreached their financial means because so little housing here is truly affordable for them.
State law requires that each County conduct a Regional Housing Needs Assessment every five years to ensure that enough land is zoned for all income levels. SB CAN advocates creating sustainable communities by building housing in urban areas within walking distance of basic needs and services, while also preserving open space and recreational areas.The County largely mismanaged its obligation to rezone for high-density housing during the 2003-2008 process by not balancing the real needs of the community. The County went from trying to put all the affordable housing rezones in the semi-rural Orcutt area, to putting all of them in Isla Vista, a tiny densely-populated community that serves a large university-hardly what you'd call "fair-share" housing that would meet the real needs of low-income families across the county.
The State ended up certifying most of the rezones in Isla Vista, but the County must still account for an additional 370 units and is considering Key Sites (KS) 3, 16, and 30 in Orcutt. In November the County Planning Commission recommended rezoning KS 3 and 16. We agree with the Planning Commission that 16 is preferable to 30 for affordable housing. KS 16, located at the gateway of Old Town Orcutt, is within walking distance of basic needs and services. Rezoning this site for high-density housing would create a more vibrant, compact Old Town, helping to support current and future businesses. An underground parking garage could easily be incorporated into a multi-story residential facility, and thus meet the needs of local businesses. While onsite underground oil sumps would need to be removed and the site restored environmentally, the high-density rezone would create an incentive for developers to clean up the site.
KS 30 on the other hand, located along Bradley Road in the heart of Orcutt, is presently zoned for open space and recreation. This site has long been envisioned by the community as the site for a community center, walking and biking trails. It is also located at the edge of the no-build, flight path for the local airport, and this reason alone makes it unsuitable for high-density housing. Just a few years ago a light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing just north of this site. The recent airplane crash in Lompoc and jet crash in San Diego should remind the County to err on the side of caution when approving housing near flight paths.
Unfortunately, the State's Housing and Planning Department, which certifies the County's Housing Element rezones, has recently intervened with a last minute phone call to the County stating its preference for KS 30, because it already has a project in the works. SB CAN believes state government should not attempt to micromanage local land use decisions or refuse to certify a site that is appropriate in every way except that it lacks a current project application. The Department's preference for KS 30 contradicts other state policies and guidelines promoting the creation of sustainable communities-placing housing within walkable communities in urban areas near basic services.
All of this will come back to the Board of Supervisors on January 27. Let's hope good planning policies prevail, and sustainability trumps expediency in planning for affordable housing.
Date:
12 Jan 2009 - 11:03pm