Now the Details:

 

1. Show Support for Naples Protection, BOS Hearing

What: Hearing on Santa Barbara Ranch Development, Board of Supervisors

When: Tuesday, June 23

Where: Santa Barbara County Administration Building -105 E. Anapamu, 4th floor hearing room. (Or attend by remote video at Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria)

The Board of Supervisors is holding a hearing to consider the County's next steps concerning the Santa Barbara Ranch Development proposed at Naples on the Gaviota Coast. SB CAN is a member of the Naples Coalition, which has developed a letter asking the Board to take specific steps that will help to protect Naples. Supporters are asked to attend to express support for saving Naples and endorsement of the recommendations made by the Naples Coalition.

Supporters can also email members of the Board of Supervisors and ask them to make decisions at this hearing that will help SAVE NAPLES.
So that you can cut and paste email addresses, Board of Supervisors Salud Carbajal, Janet Wolf, Doreen Farr, Joni Gray and Joseph Centeno are listed below:
SupervisorCarbajal@sbcbos1.org, jwolfe@sbcbos2.org, dfarr@countyofsb.org, jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us, jcenteno@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

 

2. Tenant Displacement Assistance Ordinance-Rental Housing Roundtable-

 WHAT: First Hearing of TDAO

WHEN: Tuesday, July 7, 2009

WHERE: Santa Barbara County Administration Building -105 E. Anapamu, 4th floor hearing room. (Or attend by remote video at Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria)

SB CAN, a member of the Rental Housing Roundtable, is urging our membership to come to the initial hearing at the Board of Supervisors meeting to encourage the revisions and strengthening the current Tenants Displacement Assistance Ordinance.

In order to protect rental housing, the RHR wants to amend the county ordinance so that it guarantees legal rights and protections for renters. When a tenant is evicted due to condo conversion, major renovations, or demolitions without having violated the rental agreement or other reasonable cause, it seeks:

-Relocation benefits

-Minimum 60 day notice &

-A Santa Barbara County database to document evictions.

 

Currently the RHR is collecting signatures from supporters who agree with the protections needed at the county level. If you would like to sign a card please contact our office at 805-879-1768 or contact Olivia at Olivia@sbcan.org

3. Help stop "Condo Conversions" for mobile home parks!

AB566 is known as the "Condo Conversion" bill for mobile home parks. Introduced by Pedro Nava, it would amend the Government Code relating to mobile home parks, to prevent "fake" or "sham" condo-conversions. When a Park Owner decides to "go condo," they are required by law to survey homeowners' wishes to "go condo." However, current law does not specify how many homeowner-residents must be surveyed. AB 566 proposes that a survey of residents must show a majority (51%) support for "going condo." The bill is under review in the CA Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. We need your help. Time is short. It will be voted out of committee as early as next Tuesday, June 23.

 SB CAN is assisting the University Mobile Home Park Association with a grant funded by the Fund for Santa Barbara to protect affordable housing for mobile homeowners in Goleta and across the county, including protecting/ revising and/or enacting rent control ordinances and preventing "sham" condo conversions.

 HOW TO HELP: Please Call these Senators Now! It only takes a few minutes. Talking point: Say you want this bill passed to protect affordable housing for seniors and low-income families.

Senator Alan Lowenthal (D) (Chair) - (916) 651-4027
Senator Robert Huff (R) (Vice-Chair) - (916) 651-4029
Senator Roy Ashburn (R) - (916) 651-4018
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D) - (916) 651-4007
Senator Tom Harman (R) - (916) 651-4035
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R)- (916) 651-4036
Senator Christine Kehoe (D)- (916) 651-4039
Senator Jenny Oropeza (D)- (916) 651-4028
Senator Fran Pavley (D) - 651-4023
Senator Joe Simitian (D) - (916) 651-4011
Senator Lois Wolk (D)- (916) 651-4011

 With your help we will protect affordable mobile home housing for working families and seniors and take this fight to the Governor!

Sharon Rose, University Park Homeowners Association, Goleta, CA contact: 805.570.5229

 

4. Goleta Valley Advisory Committee Survey & Workshop

 

WHAT: Goleta Valley Advisory Committee Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, July 11, 2009 @ 9:00AM

WHERE: Vieja Valley School at 434 Nogal Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93110

 

 

SB CAN encourages members living in the Goleta area to become involved in the political process of planning your community by completing an online survey and attending a community workshop.

 

The County of Santa Barbara is facilitating an update to the Goleta Community Plan to guide land use and development for the unincorporated Goleta Valley over the next 10-20 years. The objective of this project is to discuss, evaluate, and update the goals for many aspects of the community, including housing, transportation, agriculture, parks, economic development, and environmental protection in the 1993 Goleta Community Plan.

 

What do you cherish about the Eastern Goleta Valley? What do you want to see change? What does the community need? Share your vision by attending the GVPAC Workshop and filling out the online survey at:

Please take a minute to fill out the SURVEY and attend the GVPAC Workshop.

www.sbcountyplanning.org/survey

 

5. Plan Santa Barbara Workshop: Residential Unit Sizes & Density Restrictions in Commercial & Multifamily Zones

 

WHAT: Goleta Valley Advisory Committee Workshop

WHEN: Wednesday & Thursday, June 24 & 25, 2009 @ 6:00 PM

WHERE: Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Central Library (40 E. Anapamu)

 

SB CAN is committed to the education and engagement of our community. On June 24th and 25th, Plan Santa Barbara will hold public workshops to discuss linking density requirements to smaller unit sizes in an effort to increase affordable housing and maintain the character of Santa Barbara. Planning staff and consultants will provide the results of an economic feasibility study that looked at how reduced unit sizes and parking limitations could increase affordable units. Additionally, participants will see how buildings with reduced unit sizes could fit in three Santa Barbara settings, including downtown, near Cottage Hospital, and upper State Street.

"We are very interested to hear public feedback on how reducing unit sizes could encourage more affordable housing, while at the same time ensuring buildings are an appropriate size and scale," said John Ledbetter, principal planner for the City of Santa Barbara. "We are looking at the interplay between unit sizes, parking limitations, and building heights and how these affect the character of Santa Barbara, the affordability of homes, socio-economic diversity, and the possibility of reducing traffic congestion. These are the main goals that residents have asked us to meet at all of our public meetings."

The same information will be presented at both meetings with breakout groups in English and Spanish.

The proposed reduction in unit sizes for commercial and multifamily zones aims to address the overdevelopment of large, luxury condominiums in the downtown area. By linking density increases to smaller unit sizes in these areas, along with parking and height limitations, the hope is that more affordable units that are compatible with Santa Barbara's small town character would be developed. The results of the economic feasibility study looked at how these factors could affect future development in Santa Barbara.

About Plan Santa Barbara
Plan Santa Barbara (Plan SB) is the planning process to update Santa Barbara's General Plan. The General Plan shapes the future of the City by providing guidelines and initial environmental review of growth and potential future development. Since 2007, the City has been sponsoring a broad-based public outreach process to discuss, evaluate, and update the City's housing, transportation, and environmental policies to best meet our community needs now and in the future. For additional information, please visit www.youplansb.org or call 897-2509.

6. Measure A Citizen's Oversight Committee - Vacancies

Measure A was approved by 79% of Santa Barbara County voters last November and will extend our county's existing ½ cent transportation sales tax for an additional 30 years and now the citizen's oversight committee is being formed. SB CAN was a participant in both the North and South county Advisory Commmittees that developed Measure A, and strongly advocated for the inclusion of an oversight committee.

The Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee will help ensure that all provisions, requirements and voter mandates in the Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance are properly carried out, including:

·         Widening the 101 freeway in south county

·         Improving state highways & interchanges in north county

·         Repairing & maintaining local streets and roads,

·         Expanding local and regional transit services

·         Providing new pedestrian and bicycle routes.

The Measure A Citizens Advisory Committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the SBCAG Board and will be comprised of an appropriate balance of transportation users representing the geographic, social, cultural, and economic interests in the county.

If you are interested in serving on the committee please, contact our SB CAN office 879-1768 or contact Gregg Hart at SBCAG ghart@sbcag.org and 961-8905.

The deadline for receipt of applications is June 30, 2009.

7. County Boards & Commissions - Vacancies

 

SB CAN is dedicated to promoting civic engagement. Serving on a board or commission of the cities or of the county is a great way to participate. Below is a list of vacancies in the various districts in the county.

 

First District vacancies are for the Human Services Commission and the South Coast Board of Architectural Review (SBAR). The SBAR position is for a Landscape Architect.

To apply for one of these vacancies, residents must reside within the First District of Santa Barbara County and fill out and application form. Forms can be found on the County Website at http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/cob/documents/Application_Boards_and_Commissions.pdf or by calling the Clerk of the Board at 805-568-2240. You may also call the First District Office at 805-568-2186 with further questions.

Third District Supervisor Doreen Farr would like to announce an open recruitment process seeking residents interested in serving on the Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Problems; the Air Pollution Control District Community Advisory Council; the Civil Service Commission; the Commission for Women (http://www.countyofsb.org/cfw/index.html); the Human Services Commission (http://www.sbcphd.org/hsp/default.html); and the County Riding & Hiking Trails Committee. 

For information about a Board or Commission you are interested in or for an application form visit www.countyofsb.org or call Supervisor Farr's office at 568-2192. All applicants must reside in the third district. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until all positions are filled. 

 

8. Community Events-

Youth Making Change Program

 

WHAT: Youth Making Change Class of 2009-2010 Applications now Available

WHEN: Applications are due Friday, June 26^th 2009

WHERE: cgonzalez@fundforsantabarbara.org

 

After a successful pilot year, The Fund for Santa Barbara is very happy to announce that we will be launching TWO concurrent Youth Making Change Programs - one meeting in Santa Maria and one meeting in Santa Barbara. Applications are now available (at http://www.fundforsantabarbara.org/YMCmemberapplication0910.pdf) for young people who are interested in participating in the 2009-2010 class of Youth Making Change.

What is Youth Making Change?

Youth Making Change (YMC) is an exciting year-long program for young people (ages 13 to 19) in Santa Barbara County. Through the experience of creating and running a grant-making program, YMC Board members learn a variety of skills including meeting planning and facilitation, outreach, public speaking, program planning, proposal evaluation and group decision-making. The YMC program was established to increase youth participation in philanthropy (grant-making and fundraising), support youth involvement in community change, and promote youth service and giving.

 What do YMC members do?
The YMC Board members learn about philanthropy as a tool to address issues and challenges directly affecting youth in Santa Barbara County. YMC Board members reach out to youth in the community and encourage them to plan projects and apply for fund to carry them out. Board members review proposed project ideas and make decisions as a group about which projects to support. The 2009-2010 YMC Boards will each distribute $10,000 in grants to the projects that they determine to have the greatest positive impact on youth in Santa Barbara County. 

Who can apply?
Santa Barbara County youth between the ages of 13 and 19 who want to:
- work with other youth to make decisions about how best to spend money in the service of young people

-help youth and their communities
- learn about grant-making, program planning and group decision-making
- gain important leadership experience, work in groups, express opinions, and have FUN!

YMC 2009/2010 will have TWO concurrent projects in northern and southern Santa Barbara County. One will meet in the city of Santa Maria and the other will meet in the city of Santa Barbara.

What's the time commitment?
One all day training on a Saturday and two 2-hour meetings every month until May 2010. There will also be some independent work between meetings.

Do you get paid?
The program is voluntary, but you do get a $300 stipend for your participation.

Youth Making Change is a program of the Fund for Santa Barbara inspired by the Santa Barbara Foundation's Katherine Harvey Fellows (KHF) Class of 2006-2007.

For more information contact YMC Project Coordinator Cristina Gonzalez, at the Fund for Santa Barbara at 805-962-9164 or cgonzalez@fundforsantabarbara.org

Sustainable Vocations for Youth

 

TAKING APPLICATIONS NOW FOR AUGUST 2009 SESSION!

 

WHAT: 3 week Sustainable Vocations training

WHEN: August 4-24, 2009, March 7-27, 2010, June 20-July 10, 2010

WHERE: New Cuyama, CA.

COST: Cost: $1,500-2,500, sliding scale. Includes tuition, meals & camping. (Scholarships available for low-income youth and families thanks to the generosity of local foundations and sponsors!

 

 

Preparing youth for sustainable living and the growing green jobs market

Sustainable Vocations prepares youth, ages 15 to 24, for diverse leadership roles that integrate sustainability into their communities, and provides a hands-on introduction to the growing green jobs market. Students earn an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification

 

Join us on this hands-on learning journey!

 

Permaculture Design - Sustainable Living Skills - Leadership & Community Building - Renewable Energy - Green Building & Natural Building - Environmental & Social Justice - Watershed Restoration - Localizing Food & Economy - Animal Husbandry - Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Design - Green Jobs Preparation 

 

Follow up for graduates, their families and community network, includes:

Support to Enact a Community Enhancement Project - Referrals to Internships, Jobs, & Advanced Trainings - Mentor/Instructor Contact - Alumni Network

 

Upcoming Sessions:

 

Each session is a 3-week immersion training near New Cuyama, CA.

Transportation provided from Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Santa Maria.

CONTACT TO LEARN MORE email info@sustainablevocations.org or call 805-886-7239

 

PARA INFORMACION EN ESPANOL llame a Edith at 805-886-7239 o edith@quailsprings.org

 

9. SB CAN Column - "Preserve ag land with sustainability"

 

Every second and fourth Friday, an SB CAN column appears in the Looking Forward column in the Santa Maria Times. Our columns also appear in the Lompoc Record and at Noozhawk.com. You can read recent columns posted on our website www.sbcan.org under "SB CAN Editorials." Here is our latest column:

 

Preserve Ag Land with Sustainability

 

By Deborah Brasket, SB CAN Executive Director

 

It's exciting to see new movements springing up on all sides to preserve agriculture and promote local farms. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of supporting local farming in creating a sustainable future.

Too often, however, efforts to preserve agriculture have been co-opted by neighborhood preservationist groups more interested in preserving the views from their back yards than in preserving farmland. Their aim is to preserve the status quo and oppose efforts to build affordable housing anywhere near them.

But it's becoming clear you can't really talk about preserving ag land without also talking about building denser housing in urban areas, and weaning ourselves away from using cars as our sole mode of transportation.

To accommodate the modest growth our area experiences each year - less than 1 percent on average - we need to provide housing, especially for folks who work here. Exporting our housing needs to other communities or counties is not living sustainably, within our resources.

Interestingly, some of the same people who don't want high-density housing in their neighborhoods aren't all that fond of mass transit either. For them, the solution to traffic congestion is to build more and more lanes, roads, freeways and parking spaces.

But where would all those highways and parking lots be built? All too often, on land that could be productively farmed.

The fact is, any practical dialog about preserving agriculture needs to include a serious conversation about providing housing and sustainable transportation for future generations. Creating a sustainable future will require balancing our needs for housing, agriculture, and transportation.

Here are some key strategies for sustainability that will also help to preserve farmland:

Building denser housing in urban/suburban areas. High-density housing development, including multi-story buildings, can still be attractive, still include open public spaces, small parks or community gardens, or urban farms.

Creating more mixed-use zoning, so commercial development includes second-story apartments, and single-residence neighborhoods can build granny units.

Building compact, walkable communities that include small grocery stores and playgrounds, so people walk more and drive less.

Creating road systems more convenient for biking and walking. Reducing the size of parking lots so that people will be encouraged to leave their cars home, and walk or bike whenever possible.

Funding more alternative transportation, including ride-sharing and van-pool programs. Developing more public transit and using parking fees and developer fees to help fund it.

Without looking at all these strategies together, we are not likely to be successful in preserving farmland. Even if people understand the benefits of local produce and supporting local agriculture, if we don't also build denser housing communities in urban/suburban areas, and build fewer freeways and parking lots, we are still not going to be able to preserve enough ag land to sustain future generations.

Scientists tell us the way we are living now is simply not sustainable. It would take the resources of four Earths to support our current population, at the level Americans now enjoy. And we soon would run out of land for growing food. That land would all be covered over with housing and freeways.

But it doesn't have to come to that. We can begin to make the needed changes now. Our quality of life will not be diminished by living in a denser, walkable community with convenient bus systems, so we aren't dependent upon cars to get around. And we can preserve land for growing food, in the process.

If you want to preserve farmland, you also need to be a firm advocate for sustainability - creating high-density, affordable housing in urban/suburban areas, and sustainable transportation systems.

June 12, 2009

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Olivia Uribe

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Associate Director

www.sbcan.org

w: 805.879.1768

c: 805.563.0463