Santa Barbara County's Third District Supervisor
Summer 2019

Dear ,

I hope that you are enjoying the long summer days and fine weather. It has been quite a busy few months for my office and for the County. Below you will find several stories about what I've been up to and what the Board of Supervisors has recently approved. As always, I appreciate your engagement. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Enjoy the newsletter!

My warmest regards,
News and Upcoming Events
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Community Choice Energy is Coming to
Santa Barbara County
On July 16, the Board of Supervisors voted to join Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) and offer community choice energy in Santa Barbara County beginning in 2021 .
 
Community choice energy, a program that I have long advocated for, will offer Santa Barbara County competition and choice in energy providers. Additional benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, electricity rates competitive with or cheaper than the existing utilities, increased local control, and a host of new energy programs, incentives and rebates. 
 
Community choice energy providers like MBCP operate as non-profit agencies, with a local board responsive to local needs, a lean cost structure, and the ability to reinvest in the community.   In just 18 months of operations MBCP has already saved its ratepayers more than $4.4 million dollars through customer rebates.
County Hits Pause on Cannabis Cultivation Applications
Cultivation Acreage Cap, Odor Control,
Increased Enforcement All Approved  
Over a marathon meeting spanning two days in July, my colleagues and I approved several new cannabis measures including an acreage cap on cannabis cultivation.

I advocated for and supported the cap, which will allow County staff time to process permits and licenses for current applications in the queue – weeding out those that do not meet land use standards and bringing the rest into compliance with regulations.The cap will also give the County and the community further opportunity to evaluate and address the on-the-ground interactions between cannabis cultivation and neighbors.

Below is a general summary of the measures which the Board approved and I supported:

  • An acreage cultivation cap in the inland zone equivalent the number of cannabis applications in the permit pipeline as of July 9, 2019.
  • Cultivation ban on AG-I parcels 20 acres or less the inland zone.
  • Conditional Use Permits will be required on AG-I parcels greater than 20 acres in the inland zone.
  • Broader noticing requirements to neighbors when a new cannabis application is submitted to the planning department.
  • Increased authorization to the County Counsel and CEO offices to pursue enforcement against cultivators based on nuisance.
  • Direction to the Planning Commission to address cultivation on AG-II zoned parcels, including setbacks from urban boundaries.
  • New requirements for mixed-light and indoor cultivators to install odor control earlier in their business license application.
  • Requirements for demonstration of odor control from legal non-conforming growers in the Coastal Zone during business license application review.
  • The Ag Commissioner's office will facilitate meeting(s) between cultivators, existing agricultural operations, and neighbors to identify incompatibilities and develop solutions.

I sincerely thank all those who attended the meetings or reached out to my office to comment on the cannabis issue.
County Fire Department Awarded $2.5 Million for Fuel Reduction Efforts in Lompoc Valley
Late this spring, the County Fire Department a was awarded a CalFire grant for the Lompoc Valley Fuel Reduction Project . This 4-year, $2.5 million effort will include community defensible space treatments around Vandenberg Village and Mission Hills; roadside fuel reduction along Harris Grade, Rucker and Burton Mesa Roads; dead tree clearing within La Purisima State Park, and an 18-mile fuel treatment area from Vandenberg Air Force Base to the outskirts of Buellton.

I strongly supported this grant application and am grateful to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, particularly Captain Fred Tan, Captain Vince LaRocca, and Fire Marshal Rob Hazard for developing this plan and applying. I would also like to thank community members from the Burton Mesa area, the Vandenberg Village Association, and the Mission Hills Community Council for elevating fire safety as a community priority.
Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatic Center
Efforts Continue
Progress continues towards construction of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex . This facility will bring a state-of-the-art swim / water polo competition pool and a warm water community / therapy pool to the valley . The Foundation has also planned extensive programming including learn-to-swim programs for valley youth.

The SYV Aquatics Foundation is currently seeking community input for the pool. To suggest ideas and learn more about the Aquatics Complex click here.
Cabrillo High School Aquarium Gets CREF Funding For Upgrades
Earlier this year, I toured the Cabrillo High School Aquarium and was tremendously impressed by the facility and by the 200 high school students who maintain the exhibits, care for the marine life, and educate visitors. These students demonstrate leadership, knowledge, and most importantly, ownership of the aquarium.

In June, I was pleased when the Board of Supervisors unanimously awarded this aquarium $100,000 of Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) dollars for upgrades. I'd specifically like to recognize Supervisor Peter Adam who suggested that the Board fully fund the aquarium's request. Thanks as well to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians who have committed $25,000 for these upgrades.


New Entrance Sign and Bathrooms Guadalupe Dunes

Early this summer, the County Community Service Department revealed a new entrance sign to the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. I hope that this new sign will improve both the visibility and usage of this beautiful beach park and preserve. CSD - Parks received a grant from the Visitor Serving Task Force of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Collaborative to install the new sign and new bathrooms at the park.
Santa Ynez Valley Bicycle Tourism Summit

To kick-off this year's CycleMAYnia, I helped to organize a Two-Wheel Town Hall community bike ride , co-sponsored by Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra, Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint, and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Chairman Kenny Kahn. We were joined on this ride by more than 80 student bikers from Dunn School!

The Two-Wheel Town Hall was followed by the Santa Ynez Valley Bicycle Tourism Summit , where keynote speaker Russ Roca demonstrated how bicycle tourism helped to invigorate the economy of Eastern Oregon and could have similar positive economic benefits in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Countywide Recreation and Parks Planning Summit

I n June, in partnership with County Parks, we convened recreation and park stakeholders from local cities and communities to discuss how to collectively leverage Proposition 68 grants and expand recreation, park, and open space opportunities.

Related to the summit, the Board of Supervisors included $350,000 in this year's budget to fund a countywide Parks Master Plan. This Master Plan will inventory parks and trails across the County and cities, identify unmet needs, and offer a comprehensive road map for future park improvements and expansions. This planning effort will leave the County and our cities well positioned to collaborate and be awarded with Proposition 68 funding.
CalTrans Seeking Public Comment for Development of Active Transportation Plan
Caltrans - District 5 is seeking comment from community stakeholders throughout the Central Coast region to help develop their Active Transportation Plan .

This plan will inform priorities for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and recommendations across the district. CalTrans has developed a fun, easy-to-use platform for public comment including an interactive map where you can pinpoint locations where there are barriers for biking/walking and/or areas for improvement.

The survey is a available in both English and Spanish here .
Welcome New County Commissioners
Introducing three new Third District commissioners!
 
Liliana Cardenas appointed to the  Commission for Women

Henry Mercado appointed to the  Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

Frances Romero appointed to the  Park Commission
 
I encourage residents to participate in and serve on local regulatory and advisory boards. Hundreds of citizen volunteers from across the County make up approximately 70 boards, commissions, and committees.

My office has the following vacancies for Third District appointees:

·         Air Pollution Control District Community Advisory Council
·         Behavioral Wellness Commission
·         Board of Architectural Review Central County (CBAR)
·         Guadalupe Cemetery District Board of Trustees
 
If you’re interested in serving, you can apply at the link below or call my office at 805-568-2192 if you have questions.

Third District Intern Going Places!

This July, our spring quarter intern, Caroline Daughtery, a third year Global Studies major at UCSB, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro ! C ongratulations Caroline!
Noteworthy Board of Supervisors Agenda Items
(Dates are subject to change)

Board of Supervisors

Chapter 50 Cannabis Amendments- 8/20

Resolution Honoring County Veteran of the Month, Staff Sgt. Bindo Grasso - 8/27

Strategic Energy Plan - 9/10

Truth Act - 9/17

COUNTY ON YOUR CORNER

The Third District is geographically the largest and most diverse district in the county, spanning from UCSB, Isla Vista, up the Gaviota Coast, into the Santa Ynez Valley and up to Burton Mesa, Vandenberg Village, and Guadalupe. We hold regular office hours throughout the district that are open to Third District residents. Here is where we will be next: 

Isla Vista
Thursday, August 8, from 2 pm - 3 pm at the Isla Vista Food Co Op Patio at 6575 Seville Rd, Isla Vista, CA 93117

Guadalupe
Thursday, August 22, from 10 am - 12 pm at The Little House by the Park at 4681 11th St.

Mission Hills/Vandenberg Village
Thursday, August 22, from 2 pm - 4 pm at the Mission Hills Community Service District at 1550 Burton Mesa Blvd.

Solvang
Wednesday, August 28, from 12 pm - 2 pm at the Third District Solvang Office at 1745 Mission Dr.

Los Alamos
Wednesday, August 28, from 3 pm - 5 pm at the Bedford Winery patio at 448 Bell St.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 805-568-2192 or e-mail our office scheduler at gfischer@countyofsb.org

*Office hours can be subject to unforeseen changes, it is recommended to call ahead to verify.

Out and About in Our Community
Speaking with Mary Buren Elementary School Students
on Arbor Day in Guadalupe
Tabling at Earth Day
Walking with the Trails Council at UCSB's Newly Opened
North Campus Open Space with Chancellor Yang
Celebrating the Santa Ynez Bicycle Tourism Summit and
Kick-off of CycleMAYnia
Guest Lecturing at a UCSB Course on Local Government
Attending the First Common Table Gathering in Isla Vista for its
Day of Remembrance
Speaking Against the Bureau of Land Management Proposal to Open Federal Lands to Fracking
Celebrating the Re-Opening of Vandenberg Village's Route One Farmers Market with Shelby Wild Brown, Emily Christine, and Ashley Costa
Breaking Ground at the New State-of-the-Art
Waste Management Facility at Tajiguas
Biking in Support for Healthy Eating Active Living
at Solvang's 4th of July Parade
Hosting a Fire Safety Town Hall in Western Goleta with
Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and Fire Chief Mark Hartwig
Touring Mission Hills Residential Road Concerns
Reviewing Potential Trail Routes for the Gaviota to
Guadalupe Trail Study for Northern Santa Barbara
Celebrating Lompoc's Annual Unity in the Community Event Organized by The Reverend Thomas Bradenberg
Rallying with UFCW Union Grocery Workers Negotiating
for a Fair Contract
Meeting the Locals at the Grand Opening of Isla Vista's First "Bark Park" Dog Park at 6650 Sueno Road
Contact Us

 Santa Barbara Office
105 East Anapamu Street, 4th Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2192

Solvang Office
1745 Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-5095

Santa Maria Office
511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 699-1140

Joan Hartmann , Third District Supervisor
Jefferson Litten , Chief of Staff
Gina Fischer , District Representative & Scheduler
Meighan Dietenhofer , Central County District Representative
Alma Hernandez , Northern County District Representative