TGP #38 — a busy summer

The Goodland Outlook Edition 38

It’s been a busy summer and more important items are scheduled for this month of August. In an effort to keep Goletans informed about what’s going on, the Goodland Coalition is sending you this somewhat full update. We’re including lots of links and an attachment if you want more information. Here are the headlines with details below:

  1. PROPOSAL TO ADD 33 ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS AT HOLLISTER VILLAGE (WESTAR) – GOLETA’S PLANNING COMMISSION 3-2 VOTE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AT UPCOMING GOLETA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

  2. GOLETA CITY COUNCIL DENIES GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR POTENTIAL GAS STATION DEVELOPMENT

  3. MASSIVE TREE REMOVAL CONSIDERED IN THE ELLWOOD MONARCH GROVES

  4. FIRE STATION #10, NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR EIR

  5. A TALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDING IS BEING PROPOSED AT 80 NORTH PATTERSON, JUST NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY 101 NORTH OFF RAMP.

  6. SIGN UP FOR GOLETA’S ANNUAL DAM DINNER AUGUST 19, 2017

  1. . PROPOSAL TO ADD 33 ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS AT HOLLISTER VILLAGE (WESTAR) – GOLETA’S PLANNING COMMISSION 3-2 VOTE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AT UPCOMING GOLETA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

    As you may have heard, by a 3-2 vote Goleta’s Planning Commission recently recommended approval of proposed 33 more residential units at Hollister Village. This development is near the Storke-Hollister intersection and the new Smart & Final. To learn more, see media coverage here.

    However, this development requires City Council approval. Stay tuned for information on when the City Council will take up this proposal at one of its meetings, probably soon.

  2.  GOLETA CITY COUNCIL DENIES GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR POTENTIAL GAS STATION DEVELOPMENT

    Goleta’s City Council recently denied a General Plan Amendmentto rezone a parcel at Santa Felicia and Storke, just south of Hollister. Mayor Paula Perotte and council members Kasdin and Richards voted no, while council members Aceves and Bennett voted yes.

    Afterwards, there was some controversy about the developer’s reaction.
    For more details about the proposal, click here.
    For more details on the developer’s reaction, click here.



  3.  MASSIVE TREE REMOVAL CONSIDERED IN THE ELLWOOD MONARCH GROVES

    The City is considering cutting down many hundreds of trees identified as dead or stressed in the Ellwood monarch habitat. On July 26 the City held a community meeting with a great turnout to discuss the tree health survey.
    It’s clear that the Ellwood Mesa is a beloved treasure within our community. Monarch biologist and City consultant Dan Meade explained that any removal of trees must be done carefully and thoughtfully. Only some of the key issues to consider before wholesale tree removal are:
    — such trees may still provide habitat functions for the butterflies in the Ellwood Mesa Sperling Preserve and their removal could damage or reduce the habitat value of the groves.
    —some of the trees are remote from public trails and so the need for removing all of them at once may be less vital.
    —it would be best if a restoration or replacement plan were approved about the same time as a removal plan is approved.
    —The public needs to be kept fully informed on the plans and progress to address these issues.


    Planner Anne Wells explained that the City staff would develop options for a plan in consultation with Meade and other experts to bring back to the City Council and the public. These options could include some immediate hazardous tree removal near trails, a phased removal of other trees over time along with a mitigation and restoration plan to plant new trees.
  • However, since the July 26 meeting there have been reports and indications that the City staff may be moving ahead with a plan to speedily remove many hundreds of trees in September on an emergency coastal permit without a biologist-recommended, City Council-approved action plan for the tree removal or a restoration plan.
  • If you want to express your support for a comprehensive plan that balances protections from falling trees and fire with protection of the butterfly habitat, beach access and careful funding for these efforts, you can express such concerns by emailing the Mayor and City Councilmembers (see contact information below.) Or you can speak at the Public Comment period at the beginning of each session of the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 15 (afternoon session at 1:30 pm, evening session at 6:00 pm).
    Contact information for emailing Goleta’s Mayor, City Council members and City Manager is as follows: mbennett@cityofgoleta.org, pperotte@cityofgoleta.org, raceves@cityofgoleta.org, krichards@cityofgoleta.org, skasdin@cityofgoleta.org, mgreene@cityofgoleta.org
  • -The PowerPoint from the July 26 public workshop can be found here.
  • – A Noozhawk article about the meeting can be found here.
  • – Trails to and through the monarch habitat in the Ellwood Mesa Sperling Preserve have been closed because of the City’s concern for public safety. More information and FAQs can be found here.
  • – For City email and text notifications the regarding Ellwood Mesa projects, click here to subscribe.

  1.  FIRE STATION #10, NOTICE OF PREPARATION FOR EIR
    The City has just released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Fire Station 10.  An NOP gives the public a chance to help determine what considerations should be examined in the DEIR. There are 2 ways for the public to provide input, during the public comment period of August 8, 2017, to September 7, 2017.
    The public can submit written comments. See contact information below for the project manager Claudia Attend the Scoping Meeting which will be held on Tuesday, August 29 at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers to provide and listen to public comment on the Draft EIR.

    The project consists of the design and construction of a new fire station, approximately 11,600 square feet in size, with associated landscaping and appurtenant facilities on a City-owned parcel located at7952 Hollister Avenue.
    Further details are available on the City’s website here.
    If you have any questions, please contact Claudia Dato, Project Manager, cdato@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7554.


  2. A TALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDING IS BEING PROPOSED AT 80 NORTH PATTERSON, JUST NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY 101 NORTH OFF RAMP.

    Because this project is so near to Goleta’s eastern edge and our main thoroughfares, Goodland Coalition is following this project in the unincorporated area near Patterson Avenue. Residents of Goleta and nearby county area should stay alert and involved as this project makes its way through the county’s permitting and design review process.

    We believe that
    – that the 33ft. tall commercial building’s height is incompatible with the surrounding community,

    – will block views of the mountains from Patterson.

    – will create traffic and circulation issues this already traffic-intensive intersection.

    – is contrary to Santa Barbara County’s development standards for commercial buildings in urban neighborhoods as well as the Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan policies.

    We are hoping when the project is next reviewed by the South County Board of Architectural Review commissioners on Friday, August 18th, they will address the height issue and other design issues.  If you are interested in further information about the project, please contact Cecilia at brownknight1@cox.net.


  3. SIGN UP FOR GOLETA’S ANNUAL DAM DINNER AUGUST 19, 2017

    [The following announcement was distributed by Goleta]

    The 5th Annual Dam Dinner is less than two weeks away! Join us for this FREE community event on Saturday, August 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m at the Lake Los Carneros Dam. Guests can bring their own dinner to feast on or purchase something to eat from Altamirano’s Food Truck. Everyone is encouraged to bring a potluck dessert to share. Water, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Kids are welcome at this family-friendly event where there will be live music from the Salt Martians, a face painter and other activities. Parking is available in the Stow House / Goleta Depot parking lot at 304 N. Los Carneros Road.
    Show your spirit by purchasing one of our t-shirts with the new Dam Dinner logo. They will be available at the event for $10, or email jshaw@cityofgoleta.org if you are interested in purchasing any in advance.
    We hope to see you there! Please let us know you are coming athttp://tinyurl.com/2017goletadamdinner; your registration helps us plan for enough tables and chairs.
    Like us on Facebook to get updates and reminders about the event. Participate in the social media fun by using #OhDam on Facebook and Twitter.
    [also, you can see pictures of previous dinners here]

 

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The Goodland Coalition, 5710 Hollister Ave. #234, Goleta, CA 93117

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