CPA Supports the Gaviota Community Plan Viewshed Policies

To: Santa Barbara County Planning Commission
Re: Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) Appeal of Project F1-F2.

Citizens Planning Association followed closely the entire Gaviota Coastal Plan (GCP) process and felt after several years of discussion by county stakeholders that our precious Gaviota Coast would be safe from impactful development.

We are very concerned to discover the County staff is now letting this new company resurrect an outdated Coastal Development Plan and try to circumvent the policies in the GCP.

Several weeks ago, County residents started seeing construction occurring right near the 101 in the El Capitan area. It looked like a small house being built in full view of the passing public. Now with these plans made public, we understand what is going on.

The two proposed development areas are in the Critical Viewshed Corridor Overlay (CVCO) established in the GCP to protect view of the mountains and ocean from Hwy 101. The GCP took effect in 2018 and it brought heightened protections within the CVCO. It seems now the new owner wants to go back and use an expired document.

We urge the Commission to support the GCC appeal so that the new owner will follow the County process in place and apply for a new CDP under the existing regulations. We agree with the GCC that the CBAR was erroneous in several interpretations, such as not considering the fancy RV cabins as structures. The CBAR also was acting under a CDP that had expired.

Today, CPA encourages the commissioners to support the appeal by the GCC and follow the policies this commission approved many years ago. For the past two years, CPA has seen a pattern reflecting a total lack of consideration of existing Community Plans, be it with the Housing Element update or now, with this attempt to circumvent existing protective policies for our cherished Gaviota Coastal plan area. It is very discouraging to see the attempts to repeatedly weaken our existing policies and local control coming from within.

It is bad enough the State is trying to take away local control on planning issues. Please do not add insult to injury today by ignoring the hard work of hundreds of local stakeholders and tossing aside the Gaviota Coastal Plan. Vote yes for this appeal.

Marell Brooks
President, Citizens Planning Association