3 Important Public Hearings: SB Bikeway Plan, SB Short-term Rentals, SLO County Rail Spur

Three Important Public Hearings Next Week!
1. Tuesday, February 23, 2016: Santa Barbara City Council Consideration of Bikeway Master Plan.
2. Wednesday, February 24, 2016: County of Santa Barbara Planning Commission Consideration of Short-term Housing Rentals in Agriculturally Zoned Land.
3. Thursday, February 25, 2016: Continuation of County of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission's Hearing on the Phillips 66 Rail Spur.

1. Tuesday, February 23, 2016: Santa Barbara City Council Consideration of Bikeway Master Plan.

At our monthly H.O.T. meeting last week in Santa Barbara, Ed France, of the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition, described how important it is to close major gaps in the bike network on Micheltorena and Cota streets. There is opposition by some residents and businesses who will be affected by the minimal parking removal required to create the bike lanes.

Here a link to the excellent action alert from the Community Environmental Council:

http://www.cecsb.org/bikemasterplan/?utm_source=CEC+Supporters&utm_campaign=f52aa317c4-Action_Alert_Bike_Master_Plan2_7_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d09a19fbeb-f52aa317c4-247673361

2. Wednesday, February 24, 2016: County of Santa Barbara Planning Commission Consideration of Short-term Housing Rentals in Agriculturally Zoned Land.

The Commission will receive a briefing and will be asked to give direction to staff as to whether to develop ordinance language to allow or disallow short-term housing rentals in agricultural areas. The item was discussed at H.O.T. meetings in both Santa Barbara and Santa Maria and we will be encouraging 1) enforcement of existing rules that disallow the practice, and 2) investigation of possible exceptions to allow the practice under limited circumstances.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. (with the item likely to be heard starting around 10 a.m.) in the County Administration Building in Santa Barbara, with remote testimony being available at the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria.

Here is the link to the agenda item:

http://applications.sbcountyplanning.org/boards/pc/cpc_documents.cfm?DocID=17357

3. Thursday, February 25, 2016: Continuation of County of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission's Hearing on the Phillips 66 Rail Spur

During the first two days of this hearing, February 4 and 5, dozens of Santa Barbara residents were among hundreds of people speaking out overwhelmingly against this project. Major Schneider of Santa Barbara and Councilmember Michael Bennett of Goleta joined a dozen other elected officials speaking in opposition. They and Supervisor Carbajal provided inspirational remarks at the rally attended by several hundred opponents.

Public comment continues starting at 9 a.m. on February 26 at the SLO County Government Center at 1055 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. If you have not yet testified to the Commission, please get there by 9 a.m. or soon after to get a speaker number. If you will speak on behalf of SBCAN, please contact me so we can supply you with talking points that will build on the points we have already raised.

Mesa Refinery Watch Group's latest newsletter includes a thorough report on the first two days of hearings and lots of other related information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwGiaUb2pm0PYVdfcnpORzZTcjg/view?usp=sharing

SAVE THE DATE:

SUNDAY, MAY 22 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
North County "Looking Forward" Awards Dinner
Radisson Hotel, Santa Maria

We will recognize five outstanding individuals or organizations from the North County during our annual dinner in Santa Maria.

Criteria for Awards

• Open to individuals, local businesses and community organizations located or working in northern and central Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and Guadalupe areas.)
• Must have demonstrated commitment to social equity, diversity, social and economic justice, or environmental protection.

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 working families to obtain affordable health care, housing, educational and job opportunities; or 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.

More information coming soon!