Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

City Appeals County-Approved Cannabis Cultivation Project

The City of Goleta has appealed the County of Santa Barbara’s approval of a cannabis cultivation project located just outside of the City’s limits near the Winchester Canyon Road neighborhood. Santa Barbara County has permit authority over commercial cannabis operations within the County’s unincorporated area and, on September 16, 2021, approved the White Light Cannabis Cultivation Project. The project calls for the development of 17 acres of nursery and outdoor cannabis cultivation, processing and distribution on a property zoned for agricultural use (AG-ll-100) at 222 Winchester Canyon Road, 0.5 miles outside of City limits. The decision comes after the City has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the project and notified the County that the City would appeal the decision if it was approved without addressing the City’s concerns.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The County has not addressed our concerns surrounding the project prior to the project being approved. A cannabis cultivation project has no place near a residential neighborhood without adequate safeguards and environmental review.”

The City’s primary concerns relate to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) hazards known to occur in the well water in the area, the lack of an H2S Safety Plan, an inadequate Odor Abatement Plan relating to cannabis odors, and insufficient environmental review as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. More detailed information about these concerns can be found on the City website at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/planning-and-environmental-review/county-cannabis-permitting.

The City’s appeal will be heard by the County Planning Commission along with any other appeals at a future date to be determined. The County Planning Commission’s review is de novo, meaning it gets to consider the facts and permit findings anew, without deference to the staff-level decision. 

Four New Neighborhood Playgrounds Break Ground

We are so excited to be breaking ground on four of the City’s neighborhood parks! Children will be able to play on the amazing new equipment before the end of the year. Each of the parks will have their own set of play equipment that came about after receiving community input on what the people who lived nearby felt was most important for their neighborhood playground.

New playground equipment will be installed at Andamar, Berkely, and Winchester II parks. There is something for adults as well; outdoor fitness equipment will be going in at Winchester I park.

City of Goleta Parks and Recreation Manager said, “This has been a long process, but the excitement is high as we near the day when children will be able to play on new equipment that will challenge and enhance their creativity, physicality and social experiences. We will do our best to minimize the impacts to the neighbors, while working hard to bring the community amazing new playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment.”

Below is information on each park and its construction timeline:

  • Berkely Park: The park broke ground on October 4th and is expected to wrap up by the end of October. The existing play equipment will be replaced by new equipment for ages 2 – 5 and 5 – 12. The toddler area will have a dual bouncer and a climbing feature. The play area for kids 5 – 12 years old will have a climbing structure.

  • Winchester I Park: Construction began on October 5th and will take about four weeks to complete. The park will have outdoor fitness equipment available for community members 13 years and older. Four different machines will be added along the north east side of the park to allow for maximum green space and ADA accessibility.

  • Winchester II Park: Work begins on Wednesday, October 6th and we anticipate the new play area being ready for kids to use by the end of November. This park is getting a large makeover. It currently has only one swing set, and we are so excited to be adding two play features with climbers and swings; one for children 2 – 5 years old and the other for children 5 – 12 years old. Even with the expanded play equipment, there will still be room for t-ball and soccer activities for children eight and under. We are also adding seating and shade for users and spectators.

  • Andamar Park: Construction is tentatively planned to start at the end of October and will take about two months. The size of the play area will increase, and the existing equipment will be replaced with swings and a play structure that includes climbing, monkey bars and slides for both toddlers and school age children. We are also adding a merry-go-round, benches and shade.

During construction, portions of the park(s), or in some cases the entire park(s), will be closed to public access. Please keep in my mind this schedule is tentative and could be modified based on field and/or weather conditions.

Thank you for your patience as we work to bring new playground equipment to Goleta! For more information, visit the project page on our website here.

For questions, please contact JoAnne Plummer, Project Manager, at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 562-5505. Stay tuned for a ribbon-cutting announcement. 

Park renderings below:

Berkeley Park (area for children ages 5-12 years old)

Berkeley Park (area for children 2-5 years old)

Winchester I Park

Winchester II Park

 

Andamar Park

New Electricity Provider Begins Service in Goleta – Watch Video

The moment the City of Goleta has been waiting for is finally here! Goleta now has a new electricity provider, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), to purchase clean and renewable energy on behalf of all electricity customers in the City. 3CE will begin on your normal meter-read date during the month of October. Watch our video and hear directly from Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Kyle Richards on the benefits and what to expect.  The video is also available in Spanish here.  We hope this video helps answer questions and encourages Goleta community members to get excited about the multiple environmental and economic benefits of this transition.

The move to 3CE is a huge step towards furthering Goleta’s commitment to reach 100% renewable power by 2030. The new energy model will both help set the region on a path of clean energy solutions and help stimulate the local economy.

Central Coast Community Energy, or 3CE, serves nearly 400,000 customers throughout the Central Coast and follows the same structure as more than 20 other community choice energy agencies serving more than 11 million customers throughout Californian.

When a Community Choice Energy program launches, all customers are automatically enrolled in the new program, allowing them to get the benefits of more renewable energy and access to new rebates and programs to make clean energy technologies more affordable. No action is required.

The main benefits include:

  • Cleaner electricity with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Competitive electricity rates
  • Access to Energy Program rebates and incentives designed to assist customers with the transition from fossil fuel sources to clean energy solutions
  • Local control and local accountability of our energy provider
  • New opportunities for local jobs and renewable energy projects
  • Opportunities for greater local resilience
  • Faster progress toward local climate goals

Goleta customers can expect that their electrical bill will STILL come from Southern California Edison but will now include Central Coast Community Energy Electric Generation charges. SCE will no longer charge for electric generation services – there are no duplicate or extra charges. The 3CE charges will appear as a separate line item on page one of your energy bill. 

You can also learn more about the new service by attending an upcoming webinar hosted by 3CE in November. Sign up at 3CEnergy.org/2021-enrollment. You can also view a recording of a previously held residential webinar here and commercial/agricultural webinar here.

If you have questions, you can contact a local customer service Energy Advisor: 888-909-6227, or contact Central Cost Community Energy Customer Service at SouthSupport@3CE.org, or visit 3CEnergy.org/2021-enrollment.

County Mental Health Support Services Survey on COVID-19

Globally and nationally, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new challenges for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. In order to ascertain and respond to needs locally, the County of Santa Barbara, in partnership with community mental health and wellness partners and stakeholders, is seeking input to help determine mental health and substance use disorder services to meet the needs of our community.

The whole community is invited to respond to a short 10- to 15-minute survey during September. Data gathered through the survey will be used to identify and tailor services to meet the needs of community members. The survey is available electronically in English and Spanish, and on the County’s website at recoverysbc.org/covidrecovery/. The survey will also be conducted in the field by service providers for populations less likely to have access to an electronic survey.

In June, the County Board of Supervisors authorized the use of federal ARPA funding (American Rescue Plan Act) to expedite an assessment of mental health needs resulting from COVID 19, and to develop a plan to initiate identified priority services in conjunction with partners to promote recovery and resiliency in individuals and our overall community.

“Isolation, quarantine, remote learning, business impacts and physical distancing has impacted everyone; some more than others,” said Suzanne Grimmesey, MFT, PIO/Chief Quality Care and Strategy Officer for the County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness. “It is critical that necessary supports to address the unique impacts of COVID-19 are in place in a timely manner to help our community through recovery. We could not be more appreciative of the County Board of Supervisors for recognizing a need to address whole-community mental health and supporting this collaborative effort.”

The process is being led by the County Department of Behavioral Wellness and the Community Wellness Team, along with a broad stakeholder group that provided input on the assessment processes including key populations and targeted outreach strategies. The survey was developed with assistance from mental health experts from UCSB to assure efficacy. The survey includes questions from the 2019 Cottage Health Population Health Survey, and from previous children’s mental health surveys.

Data from this survey will be reviewed and compared against previous surveys. A separate survey designed to assess the impact of the pandemic on children ages 0-5 is under development, and will be sent out at a later date. Collaborative community partners include those listed below in alphabetical order.

For more information about the process and recovery plan, the public may contact Suzanne Grimmesey at suzkirk@sbcbwell.org.

Preserving Local Water Quality: Lake Los Carneros – A Living Ecosystem

Local water quality and the preservation of open space and natural areas are high priorities for the City of Goleta. Lake Los Carneros is a living ecosystem that requires freshwater inputs from winter rains to ensure a healthy aquatic environment for birds, fish, and plants.  When we experience drier winters, the lake level drops, and the water heats up faster during the summer months.  Warmer water encourages algae growth that can lead to less dissolved oxygen in the water when the algae die.  During some years, the oxygen levels drop below critical thresholds necessary for fish to survive.  This cycle of events occurred at Lake Los Carneros this year, which led to a fish die-off in July and noticeable odors in adjacent residential areas.  The dead fish, including bass and catfish, were removed and a temporary aeration system was deployed to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the lake.  No dead turtles or birds were observed during the temporary change in water quality.

Several longer-term solutions are being evaluated to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and fishing opportunities at Lake Los Carneros.  Potential options include permanent, solar-powered aerators to reduce fish die-offs.  Other future actions may include lakebed sediment removal to reduce high nutrient levels and selective harvesting of vegetation.  Some of these solutions will require significant funding, permitting, and community support to accomplish. 

There are several significant maintenance and enhancement needs throughout Goleta’s open space, including trail improvements, fuel management to reduce the risk of wildfires, and upland habitat restoration. The wooden footbridge, which is closed due to public safety concerns, also requires significant funding to remove and replace. With so many competing needs at Lake Los Carneros and throughout the City, management actions need to be prioritized to match limited anticipated funding levels as the City plans for the future.

Priorities for funding are typically recommended annually by City departments and then approved by the Goleta City Council.  For Lake Los Carneros, a comprehensive management plan serves as the community’s guiding document to prioritize needed maintenance and improvements to critical infrastructure, habitats, and recreation amenities.

The City’s Parks and Open Space Division will be hosting a series of events during Spring 2022 to begin updating the Lake Los Carneros Management Plan.  The current plan is over 20 years old and was developed when the area was still managed by Santa Barbara County Parks.  The plan can be reviewed here.

Stay in the know on Lake Los Carneros by signing up for our Public Works updates here.

For more information about Lake Los Carneros, please contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager at (805) 961-7578 or gthomson@cityofgoleta.org.

Planning Commission Public Hearings – September 13

The public is invited to participate in two public hearings at the upcoming virtual Planning Commission meeting on September 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.

One of the public hearings is to consider a resolution recommending to the City Council to adopt two new affordable housing fees and adopt associated Title 17 Amendments. City Council will consider the recommendation at a later hearing to adopt the fees and amendments to Title 17. View the Notice here.

The City hosted a virtual public meeting on August 24, 2021, regarding two ongoing Affordable Housing Fee Studies. The two studies support adoption of affordable housing fees for new residential and non-residential development to implement policies established in the City’s General Plan Housing Element. A recording of the meeting is available here. Slides from the presentation are also available here.

The other public hearing is to consider a resolution recommending to the City Council adoption of General Plan and Zoning Amendments to Allow Entertainment and Recreation Services in the General Commercial (C-G) land use designation and zoning district.

The C-G land use designation and zoning district includes various commercial parcels around the City. C-G currently allows a variety of commercial and heavy commercial uses. However, the General Plan and the City’s zoning regulations do not currently allow entertainment and recreation uses, like gyms and dance studios, in C-G. The proposed General Plan and Zoning Amendments would make those types of uses allowed uses in C-G. View the Notice here. 

The agenda and how to participate will be available prior to the meeting date at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings.

“Beat the Heat” this September and October

Five Dollar Spay or Neuter Surgeries for Cats

Throughout September and October, Santa Barbara County Animal Services and Santa Barbara Humane are offering $5 cat spay or neuter surgeries and free microchips through its “Beat the Heat” promotion. 

County Animal Shelters host their annual “Beat the Heat” campaign in an effort to promote responsible pet ownership and prevent accidental and unwanted litters of kittens. In 2020, 736 orphaned kittens came into County Animal Shelters. Spay and neuter surgeries help stop this cycle.

Appointments are limited to the first 100 cats and kittens. Pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of the $5 offer. As an added bonus, the promotion includes free microchips. Other treatments, such as vaccines and flea treatment are available at an additional cost.

“Animal Services and our partner, Santa Barbara Humane, are committed to saving lives through spaying and neutering,” says Jessica Wiebe, Community Programs Director.  “Being able to offer such promotions to help reduce the overpopulation of pets is a crucial piece of the animal sheltering puzzle that we are proud to offer our community. Do not miss the chance to get in on the Beat the Heat promotion and call for an appointment today. Space is limited, and our appointment book fills up fast!”

Santa Barbara County residents who wish to take advantage of the $5 surgery promotion should contact the organizations below:

  • Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 934-6968
  • Santa Barbara Humane-Santa Maria Campus at (805) 964-4777

For more information about County Animal Services and services offered, please visit www.sbcanimalservices.org. Follow @sbcanimalservices on social media for future promotions.

 

Back to School Safety Video Message from Goleta Police

School is back in session for our Goleta students. While it is an exciting time, it’s also a perfect opportunity to go over important safety tips to keep our kids safe this year. Please take time out to watch this Back to School Safety Video Message from Goleta’s School Resource Deputy George Hedricks of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you Deputy Hedricks!

Pedestrian Safety Month: Be Predictable, Look Out for One Another

As part of Pedestrian Safety Month, The Goleta Police Department is supporting efforts throughout September to improve pedestrian safety and help reduce crashes and injuries.

Pedestrians are more and more at risk on the road. Based on data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 2020 had the largest ever annual increase, 21 percent, in the rate at which drivers struck and killed pedestrians. In California, pedestrian deaths accounted for 27 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2019.

“It’s simple: slow down and stop for pedestrians. They have the same rights to the road as everyone else,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “If you’re walking, be mindful of vehicle traffic and be predictable. We should all be looking out for one another.”

For the safety of everyone walking or driving, the Goleta Police Department and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department will have additional deputies on patrol throughout September specifically looking for California Vehicle Code violations pertaining to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

These violations include right-of-way at crosswalks, illegal turns and not stopping for signs or signals (e.g., right turn on red or red light running), and speeding.

The Goleta Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking:

Pedestrians

  • Be predictable. Use crosswalks.
  • Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
  • Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. No vehicle can stop instantly. At 30 m.p.h., a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
  • Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
  • Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

  • Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
  • Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
  • Never drive impaired.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

Goleta Community Center

City of Goleta to Manage Goleta Community Center

The Goleta City Council held a special virtual City Council Meeting on August 31 to discuss the future of the Goleta Community Center (GCC). Originally built in 1927, the GCC is located at 5679 Hollister Avenue in the heart of the City in Old Town and is an important gathering place for our community. The City purchased the GCC in 2013 but the building has been managed by the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC), a non-profit organization.

The City Council conceptually approved the City of Goleta assuming direct management of the GCC beginning next year while construction projects are ongoing, and asked staff to return in the fall with a plan to do this. Two major construction projects, one to complete the seismic retrofit and one to complete Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements, are expected to begin next year.

Assuming direct management of the GCC on July 1, 2022, will provide the City an opportunity to take a more active role in improving the quality of the GCC. It will also allow the City to better stage the construction, develop a Community Center Strategic Plan, and determine the best management options for the GCC for the future.

The City Council also received a report during the Council meeting on the stakeholder and public outreach process that was conducted in February and March 2020 to better understand the community’s desires for programming and uses at the GCC. One of the recommendations of the outreach process was that the City conduct a strategic planning process to guide future use and management of the GCC. 

The City of Goleta is looking forward to improving the Goleta Community Center so that is a thriving facility for the next 95 years. We would like to thank the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) organization for managing the GCC for many years. The GVCC organization will continue to be involved in the GCC and help the City decide the future of the Community Center.

Watch a recording of the meeting anytime on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. It is also available to watch on Goleta TV Channel 19 Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The full agenda from the meeting is available at https://tinyurl.com/x5m2sw8h.

Keep updated on the Goleta Community Center by signing up for updates here.