JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008

Greetings, SB CAN members and friends!

Here's your chance to get involved and make your voice heard on important issues around the county.

Please take a few moments to review the upcoming events and news. Here they are in brief:

1. City of Lompoc General Plan update workshops

2.City of Santa Maria Goal-Setting Workshop for 2008-10 Budget, January 29, 9 AM

3. Gaviota Coast - Santa Barbara Ranch Hearing, BOS Hearing, Feb. 5

4. Funding for affordable housing with services, BOS Hearing, Feb. 5

5. Other Community Events & Causes

“Oil’s Toxic Legacy to Public Health, Communities, and the Environment,” Santa Barbara, Feb. 6

NOW THE DETAILS:

1) City of Lompoc, General Plan Update Workshops

WHAT: Public Workshop on City of Lompoc General Plan Update
WHEN: January 29, February 26, March 13, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall

The City of Lompoc is in the process of updating its General Plan (GP), the blueprint for the future of the City. It includes sections on Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Parks and Recreation, Public Services, Urban Design, Resource Management, Noise, and Safety. The changes made to the plan will affect not only residents of the City but also the surrounding areas.

The existing General Plan was adopted in 1997 and many changes have been approved by the City Council since then, including the annexation of the Burton Ranch Specific Plan area at the Wye. A number of additional annexations are now in the discussion stages ( i.e. the PXP/Cook Hills/Purisima Hills residential development on Harris Grade Road opposite the oil and gas plant; the Bailey Avenue corridor from North to Olive; parcels east of the river near Highway 246).

The entire GP is up for review. Please plan to attend as many as you can of the workshops scheduled by the City and its consultants, and let your voice be heard. The first workshop outlining the process was held on January 12. The January 29 workshop will cover traffic and circulation issues in the area and potential repercussions of future growth on the City's transportation network. Future workshops are set for Feb. 12, Feb. 26, and March 13. Check the City website for details: www.ci.lompoc.ca.us. The existing GP is available for examination on the same site.

2) City of Santa Maria Goal-Setting Workshop for 2008-10 Budget Cycle, Jan. 29

WHEN: Tuesday, January 29, 9 AM
WHERE: City Council Chambers, 110 E. Cook, Santa Maria

The City of Santa Maria is seeking input from residents on setting city-wide goals and objectives for its 2008-10 budget cycle. A presentation will be given by staff and the public will be invited to speak. Here’s your chance to share your ideas and concerns for the future development of Santa Maria. For more information, contact Assistant City Manager, Rick Haydon at 805-925-0951, ext 200.

3) Gaviota Coast - Santa Barbara Ranch Hearing, BOS Hearing, Feb. 5

WHAT: Board of Supervisors Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, February 5, 9 AM

WHERE: County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St. 4th Floor, Santa Barbara (Remote monitoring available in Santa Maria at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway.)

Background
The Gaviota Coast has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful and environmentally diverse regions in Santa Barbara County. A proposed development at Naples of more than 140 homes poses significant threats to natural resources and scenic viewsheds, as well as promoting urban sprawl and leapfrog development. Join us in voicing your concerns about this project. The Revised Draft EIR for the proposed Santa Barbara Ranch project is available at: http://sbcountyplanning.org/projects/03DVP-00041/index.cfm.

4) Funding for affordable housing with services, BOS Hearing, Jan. 15

WHAT: Alcohol & Drug / Mental Health Services Budget Hearing, Board of Supervisors Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, February 5, 9 AM

WHERE: County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St. 4th Floor, Santa Barbara (Remote monitoring available in Santa Maria at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway.)

Background: Local programs that provide emergency and permanent housing with supportive services are at risk of having their funding reduced by the County. Study after study shows that permanent housing with supportive services is both cost effective and successful. The exorbitant costs of “housing” local residents in high service facilities like the jail, emergency room, psychiatric health facilities, institutes for mental disease, could be used to house people and provide supportive services–that change lives.

Please join us on February 5th, in urging our Supervisors to maintain the current inventory of very affordable housing with supportive services. Action is required on behalf of those who desperately need these services. For more information on this issue: See http://www.bringsbcohome.org/faqs.html or(A Report on Homeless Services in the County of Santa Barbara)http://www.bringsbcohome.org/docs/homelessness_report06.pdf)

5) Other Community Events & Causes

“Oil’s Toxic Legacy to Public Health, Communities, and the Environment,” Santa Barbara, Feb. 6

WHAT: Presentation by Riki Ott, Ph.D. “Broken Promises, Lingering Harm”

WHEN: February 6, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Santa Barbara Public Library, Faulkner Gallery

Nineteen years after the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, coastal communities in Alaska are still struggling to come to terms with its toxic legacy. Spill survivor, activist and marine toxicologist Riki Ott, Ph.D., will address the lingering social, economic, and environmental harm from this spill as well as global ramifications for reshaping our energy future. With America at an energy crossroads, come and learn why you should care — and how you can help make a difference.

Sponsored by the Sierra Club, Get Oil Out, and the Environmental Defense Center

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Thank you!

Deborah Brasket
SB CAN Executive Director
805-722-5094 / Deborah@sbcan.org / www.sbcan.org