SPECIAL EVENTS |
DECEMBER 2 - DECEMBER 4 |
MESSAGE FROM
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
Public Asked to Give Input on Unmet Transit Needs
Annual listening sessions to take place in the cities of Buellton, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria through December. The focus is on how bus systems, dial-a-ride, and paratransit services can better serve residents in Santa Barbara County.
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and the City of Santa Maria will host a series of annual listening sessions through December on unmet transit needs. Listening sessions will also take place in the city of Santa Barbara and Buellton. Public participation is encouraged to share input on bus systems, dial-a-ride, and paratransit services.
Those unable to attend one of the four listening sessions can take an online comment form available in English and Spanish until Friday, December 15, 2025. The public can also submit comments in writing to SBCAG at 260 North San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, or by email to [email protected].
Comments provided at any of the listening sessions, on the online comment form, or in writing are shared with local decision makers, transit agencies, and the California Department of Transportation to help influence options for transit services and projects.
In February 2026, the Santa Barbara County Transit Advisory Committee will receive a summary of public input. By April 2026, a draft report will be presented to the SBCAG Board of Directors for their consideration.
Buellton
Visit in person any time during the two-hour listening session
4 p.m. to 6 p.m., December 3, 2025
City of Buellton Council Chambers – 107 W Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427.
Accessible accommodations and Spanish language translation is available by request. Contact SBCAG by November 28, 2025, at (805) 961-8900 or [email protected].
Santa Barbara
Visit in person or virtually any time during the two-hour listening session
4 p.m. to 6 p.m., December 2, 2025
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Wisteria Conference Room – 260 North San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
The public can also join virtually by Zoom with the webinar ID of 84941151277, passcode: 751074.
Accessible accommodations and Spanish language translation is available by request. Contact SBCAG by November 28, 2025, at (805) 961-8900 or [email protected].
Santa Maria
Two sessions: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., December 4, 2025
Santa Maria Public Library Shephard Hall, 1st Floor 421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
Accessible accommodations and Spanish and Mixteco translation are accessible upon request at (805) 928-5624 by December 1, 2025.
Can’t Attend?
Those not able to attend one of the listening sessions are still encouraged to submit their comments by December 15, 2025 through any of these methods:
- Email to [email protected]
- U.S. Postal Service to 260 North San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
- Online Comment Form
SBCAG will gather comments on transit needs throughout Santa Barbara County, as outlined under Section 99238.5 of the Public Utilities Code.
DECEMBER 3 |
MESSAGE FROM WE WATCH
Good afternoon-
I'm Vice President of WE Watch in the Santa Ynez Valley. Our Mission is to sustain the beauty and environment of the Santa Ynez Valley and educating our members and the community about environmental issues affecting the quality of life in our Valley. We are contacting you to bring your attention to the Planning Commission workshop for the County's Recreation Master Plan's Draft Comprehensive Plan Ordinance Amendments this coming week on Wed. December 3rd.
This plan has been in development for over 5 years but what is most important is that it appears the Rec Plan and follow up policy and design guidelines to facilitate its implementation ares being prioritized over other elements in the County's Comprehensive plan including the Open Space Element, Conservation Element and the Land Use Element. Additionally, the proposed Recreation Benefit Program (RBP) seeks to provide development incentives on AG-l, AG-ll, and RR zoned lands that would precipitate rewriting some of the Comprehensive Plan to accommodate and prioritize recreational uses.
It's been on WE Watch's radar because we were extremely involved with the recently approved Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance which allows some recreational activities on ag land but also ensures that agricultural activities are and remain the primary use. We see a potential conflict on that issue as well.
I'm attaching the Planning Commission memorandum, the Comprehensive Plan and Ordinance Amendments and this link to the Draft Recreational Master Plan for your information. We're hoping that you will be able to share and voice concern that the Rec Plan is driving policy over other values in the county including open space, natural areas, wildlife and wildlife habitat and other environmental resources based on recreational opportunities alone. Human intrusion, climate change and fire danger seem not to be addressed at all.
Feel free to contact me if you'd like to talk about this a little more (via email or text or call to 805-698-7069).
Best Regards,
Kathy Rosenthal
We Watch
[email protected]
CALLS TO ACTION |
DEIR FOR SHELBY RESIDENTIAL PROJECT |
Shelby Housing Project Draft EIR released
for proposed housing site next to El Encanto Creek
north of Cathedral Oaks Rd., Goleta
The developer is proposing to encroach into the 100-foot Streamside Protection Area.
MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF GOLETA
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Questions? Contact Us |
INDIVISIBLE (NATIONAL) |
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MESSAGE FROM INDIVISIBLE
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Join We Ain’t Buying It and commit to not spending any money at Target, Home Depot, or Amazon from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. Target caved to Trump and rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Home Depot has allowed ICE to enter their stores as ICE continues to conduct violent raids on its property. Amazon has funded the Trump administration through donations and discounted government contracts (including for ICE), all in exchange for massive corporate tax breaks. By withholding support during one of the most important weekends in their year, we let these companies know: When you support Trump, we don’t support you. Let us know that you’re with us and take the pledge today to pause your shopping. Participating in We Ain't Buying it? Let us know! |
