Positions on Issues
SB CAN monitors local governments, analyzes issues, and takes positions on issues that affect the quality of life in Santa Barbara County. Below you will find a list of positions that we have taken on pertinent issues.
March 24, 2009 - Hunter/La Purisima Resort General Plan Amendment Request
March 3, 2009 - Amendment to the CEO Ordinance, Board of Supervisors
Supported the ammendment to the ordinance to limit CEO power and to restore more oversight and accountability to the Board on major decisions. Amendment passed 3/2.
March 3, 2009 - Amendment to MOU regarding Naples Project on Gaviota Coast
Opposed revising the original MOU and thereby keeping the inland and coastal projects linked, as they should be for coordinated planning, and to protect the environment. The 2008 approval was deeply flawed and against the public interest.
February 8, 2009 - Haskells Landing, Goleta Planning Commission
Opossed housing project that provided little or no public benefit and posed environmental concerns. Passed 2-2 vote.
February 4, 2009 - Affordable Senior Housing, Santa Maria Planning Commission
Supported the project for much needed affordable senior housing on Stowell Road in Santa Maria near services and public transportation. The commission approved the project. Spoke again at the March 4 City Council Meeting. The Council also approved the project.
January 27, 2009 - Focused Rezones for the 2003-2008 Housing Element, Board of Supervisors
Urged the Board to rezone KS 16 over 30 for the affordable housing needed to meet the State mandate.
January 13, 2009 On-shore oil regulations, Board of Supervisors
Urged the Supervisors to revoke permits for Greka because of continued oil spills and non-compliance.
December 9, 2008 - Focused Rezones for the 2003-2008 Housing Element.
Testified at meeting, urging Supervisor to rezone Keysite16 in Orcutt, over KS 30, as more appropriate for affordable housing (located in urban area near services).
December 10, 2008 - Hunter/La Purisima Project, County Planning Commission
SB CAN opposed the initiation of a General Plan Amendment which would include a change in land use designation from Agriculture to Resort/Visitor Serving Commercial on 306 acres 3 miles east of Lompoc; and the proposed development of an 80 room hotel/resort with an approximately 4,400 square foot restaurant and a 3,240 square foot spa facility, and 85 clustered casitas (fractional or wholly owned residential units) that would be detached from the main resort. This proposed general plan amendment would set a precedent for opening up agricultural land, including the Gaviota Coast, to new development. The commission denied the Amendment.
November 12, 2008 - Housing Element Rezones for 2003-08, County Planning Commission
Recommended the rezoning of Key Site (in old town Orcutt near services and transportation) for affordable housing, rather than keysite 30 (zoned for open space in a single-unit residential neighborhood under a no-build airport flight path). The Commissioners agreed, recommending Key Sites 3 and 16 for rezones, and excluding KS 30.
October 28, 2008 - Stoker Rezone, Board of Supervisors
SB CAN raised concerns about rezoning open space/recreational land to residential. Unfortunately the board unanimously agreed to support the project with modifications.
October 13, 2008 - Santa Barbara Ranch Project, Board of Supervisors
Opposed the approval of building a 72 mansion project on the Gaviota Coast.
September 30, 2008 - Lompoc Wind Energy Farm, County Planning Commission
Supported the development of a "wind farm" near Lompoc that could power up to 50,000 homes. Advised additional monitoring of impacts on bird and bat migrations and the creation of a conservation easement. The commission approved the project with additional monitoring of impacts on bird and bat populations.
September 16, 2008 - Mahoney Ranch South, Santa Maria City Council
Opposed the development of 1,430 residential units, for potentially 5,000 people, in a rural, isolated area on prime agricultural land at the furthermost boundary of the city of Santa Maria, miles away from the nearest public services and facilities. This plan is a prime example of leapfrog development and urban sprawl and is inconsistent with several of the city's General Plan Goals. The city council approved the project with a 5/0 vote.
September 8, 2008 - Fair Fares for Santa Barbara MTD Bus Riders
Testified at the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transportation District hearing for ensuring that needed increases in fares to cover increased fuel costs did not put undue hardships on the transit dependent, including low-income families, students, and seniors. SB CAN was part of a larger coalition of organizations inlcuding PUEBLO and COAST concerned about proposed rate hikes that had been meeting with MTD staff on this issue. At the September 8 hearing, the MTD Board reached a compromise with the coalition on proposed increases that all agreed was fair.
August 26, 2008 - BOS Hearing on the Energy Crisis and off-shore oil drilling
SB CAN urged the County Board of Supervisors to continue its long-time support for the ban on new off-shore oil drilling. Supervisors Firestone and Centeno had drafted a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger asking him to lift the ban, citing misleading information on about how new oil drilling could help reduce fuel prices and natural oil seeps. The Board voted 3/2 to send the letter. Soon after, SB CAN joined 50 other national, international, and local environmental organizations in sending a letter the Governor commending his continued support for the moratorium on new off-shore oil drilling.
July 8 - Support for Agricultural Workers Van Pool Propram
SB CAN asked the Board of Supervisors to continue its support for the program that provides safe, affordable transportation to agricultural workers in northern Santa Barbara County.
July 3 - Oppose formation of the Santa Rita Hills Service District
Testified at LAFCO hearing opposing the formation of a service district that would encourage increased development of agricultural land. The Santa Rita Hills is home to some of the most valuable vineyards in the county. The Board voted to for the formation of the SD.
June 17, 2008 - Santa Barbara City Height Limit Initiative
SB CAN met with representatives from both sides of the issue to discuss the initiative's impacts on the community. After much discussion, SB CAN resolved to oppose the Initiative should it come to ballor, but to support efforts that would formulate compromise or alternative measures that would provide for height limitations but with exceptions for projects of public benefit, including the provision of affordable housing.
March 20, 2008 - Regional Housing Assessment Needs (RHNA)
Testified at the Santa Barbara County Associated Governments (SBCAG) Board meeting on the importance of distributing the RHNA numbers in a way that would balance jobs and housing across the county, making sure that affordable and workforce housing are located near jobs and transportation centers. SBCAG Board voted 10/3 to approve a plan that will distribute RHNA numbers in a way that will improve the housing/job ratio.
March 18, 2008 - Eastern Goleta Community Plan
Testified at the Board of Supervisors meeting on the need to allow projects that benefit the public to go through the planning process while the community is updating its community plan. Supervisors voted 4/1 in favor of the public benefit exemption.
March 4, 2008 - Campaign Finance Limiations
Testified at the Santa Maria City Council meeting, advocating that the City adopt an ordinance similar to San Luis Obispo's, limiting the amount of dollars that can be contributed by individuals or organizations to a candidate running for city council or mayor. Council voted 5/0 to oppose limiting campaign contributions.