On February 23rd, the City of Goleta hosted a public workshop for a future citywide Wildland Fire Plan and a Monarch Butterfly Management Plan. This workshop provided an opportunity for public engagement early in the process and allowed community members to comment on the City’s efforts to protect environmentally sensitive habitat areas and reduce the risk of wildland fires within the City, especially our open spaces.

The information collected from this workshop will aid in the development of recommendations to be included in the forthcoming plans. It is anticipated that drafts of the Wildland Fire Plan and Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan will be completed in early fall 2011 and will be presented to the public at another public workshop.

If you want to increase the energy efficiency of your property and save money, Energy Upgrade California and/or EmPowerSBC may be able to help you.

Energy Upgrade California
This program offers homeowner rebates and incentives of more than $4,000 per home. Energy Upgrade home improvements that qualify for rebates include sealing and insulation, heating and air conditioning upgrades, energy-efficient windows, high-efficiency water heaters and other energy efficiency improvements that are permanent to your house.

The program’s web portal, https://energyupgradeca.org, provides tools and resources for homeowners to learn how energy efficiency upgrades can improve their homes, view the rebates and incentives and choose and contact a participating contractor.

This program provides a convenient financing option to empower residents and businesses to green their property through energy efficiency, water efficiency or renewable improvements. These improvements can save money, enhance your property, create local jobs and, of course, help the environment…a win-win for you and the community.

EmPower SBC financing is available to all eligible residents of the County and each of the incorporated cities. By voluntarily opting to use emPowerSBC, property owners agree to pay back the financing through a property tax assessment over the course of up to 20 years, meaning the costs associated with your upgrades is attached to your property.

Eligible projects can include repairs such as tankless and solar water heater systems, ventilation improvements, solar lighting and heating and water efficient landscape irrigation systems. For more information, go to empowersbc.org. Good for the planet, good for your wallet.

Just in time for the warm spring and summer months, Goleta’s beaches and bluffs are being cleaned up to make them safer for our community and the natural environment.

The California State Lands Commission (CSLC) received a permit to work on our coast to remove hazardous structures, such as abandoned pipelines, cables, posts and steel beams. These structures are left over from previous oil and gas operations dating as far back as the 1930s. The project needs to occur during the winter season as winter storms bring wave action to our beaches that uncover the hazards making them easy to locate and remove.

Additionally, while enjoying the Ellwood Mesa, don’t be surprised if you see a few trucks or large equipment. The Goleta City Council approved a plan for removing abandoned oil and water wells from the bluffs as part of the Ellwood Mesa Open Space Plan. This is an important step in protecting our health, safety and natural resources.

This plan is broken up into three parts, including environmental review and permitting, well destruction and site restoration. The environmental review phase has been completed and the well destruction is slated for this summer. This phase includes specific measures to minimize the impact on environmentally sensitive areas and ensure protection of the habitat as well as air and water quality.

The site restoration phase will address any areas that were disturbed during the first two phases and will be restored using native grassland or wetland habit. The completion of the project is expected in the fall of 2011.

Thinking of ways to corral the bikes, lawn furniture and other outdoor paraphernalia? Considering the addition of an accessory structure or garden shed to your yard? Below are a few things you need to know before you purchase one for your Goleta home or business.

In general, sheds are not allowed in front and side yard setback areas. They can, however, be situated in back areas of a house when the placement is twenty-five feet (25’) from the rear property line extending toward the main residence. The problems begin when residents place the accessory structures in an area of their property where these structures are not permitted or require a Land Use Permit. These unpermitted areas are known as “setback areas.”

Accessory structures generally do NOT require a permit under the following conditions:
• The combined square footage of the accessory structure is no larger than 120 square feet of roof area, including eaves or overhangs.
• Structures cannot exceed twelve (12) feet in height.
• Structures cannot have plumbing, electrical or cooking facilities. Accessory structures can have sinks and electricity, but a Land Use Permit is required and such structures must be constructed to current City building code standards.
• Structures can be no closer than five (5) feet from the main residence, including eaves or overhangs.
• Structures can be no closer than five (5) feet from property lines, including eaves or overhangs unless fire rated building materials have been used.
• Under no circumstances can accessory structures be used for habitation. The staff at the City of Goleta encourages residents to check with them before purchasing or placing a structure on any property. A few minutes of information and investigation may save some heartache.

If you have questions or would like to report a structure that you believe is out of compliance,
contact Greg Nordyke, Code Enforcement Officer, at (805) 961-7556.