Article taken from the Santa
Barbara News Press New county design panel
may oversee Gaviota area By
BARNEY McMANIGAL 07/14/05
The County planning officials on Wednesday signed off on a plan to create a new review panel for North County building projects that would encompass the Gaviota coast, a surprise move that some environmentalists fear could spur development in one of the last stretches of wild coastline in the area. The County Planning Commission unanimously approved creating a new Board of Architectural Review that would judge the design quality of proposed projects from Gaviota to Guadalupe. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the plan later this summer. The supervisors decided to create the new panel in April, after 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno said the North County needed more control over building standards. He also complained that residents travel too far to obtain building permits. Most meetings are held in Santa Barbara. Environmentalists and some members of the existing review panel said the move may lead to further coastal development in Gaviota. In May, a builder won planning commission approval for a two-story 10,370-square-foot home visible from Highway 101, prompting concern from preservationists that more will follow. Kate Dole, who sits on the nine-member review panel, said she was "shocked" that a North County panel would oversee the Gaviota coast. The North County is perceived to be more receptive to new development than the South Coast. The Santa Barbara-based landscape architect said she is worried the new panel could reduce scrutiny on coastal projects, and limit the number of South County design professionals who could sit on the panel. "(The review panel) is being obliterated after years of long, diligent work," she said. Before the commission approved the large home on a 3-2 vote, the existing review panel prompted significant reductions to the original plan. Environmentalists echoed Ms. Dole's concerns. "To think that there's going to be a more pro-development board reviewing projects on the Gaviota Coast is somewhat alarming," said Gaviota Coast Conservancy President Mike Lunsford. Second District Planning Commissioner Marc McGinnes said he supported the plan because 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone has made assurances against rampant growth in the Gaviota area. He also noted that Mr. Firestone's planning commissioner, Parker Montgomery, would sit on the new panel under the rules. "I'm willing to go with a new BAR," Mr. McGinnes said, adding that he opposed so-called "mansionization" on the coastline. Mr. Firestone repeated his pledge to oppose development projects that fall within view of Highway 101. "Everyone would like the coast to look like it does for future generations," he said. The new panel would cost up to $84,000 to operate each year, and contain between five and seven members. The panel, which could consist of architects, landscape architects, contractors and one planning commissioner, would come up for review by supervisors after one year. Under the Planning Commission plan for the panel, potential members would be nominated by the North County supervisors and approved by the entire board. Board of Architectural Review member Robin Donaldson said the new North County plan improved significantly upon an earlier draft, which he said called for only a three-member panel in the North -- too small to oversee future North County growth properly, he said. "They need a qualified BAR," Mr. Donaldson said.
e-mail: bmcmanigal@newspress.com
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