The SBAS Conservation and Science Committee has been monitoring several proposed development projects in Goleta, particularly those projects that are in proximity to creeks and other natural resources that are wildlife habitats and migration corridors. We have reviewed environmental impact reports (EIR), sent comment letters to the City of Goleta recommending mitigation strategies, identifying critical habitats and omissions or errors in reports of biological data, and attending meetings and hearings with developers, City agencies and other environmental advocacy organizations in Santa Barbara and Goleta.
One such development project is the Villages at Los Carneros, a proposed development of 465 residential units to be built on 43 acres located south of highway 101 and west of Los Carneros Road. The Tecolotito Creek and its unnamed tributary that are an important habitat and wildlife migration corridor adjoin this building site. SBAS has advocated for maintaining the required 100-foot setback from the creek bank as well as making recommendations for native planting and re-vegetation planning within the creek setback areas.
Another proposed development project in Goleta is the Shelby Residential Project located in the Goleta foothills bordering the Glen Annie Golf Course, Cathedral Oaks Road and nearby Dos Pueblos High School. The Shelby parcel that is currently zoned for agriculture, proposes building 60 densely-spaced residential units on 14 acres and the parcel also borders the El Encanto Creek that is an important environmental resource designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) and the connector of the creek headwaters that flow to the Devereux Slough.
Attached are comment letters that SBAS sent regarding these two proposed development projects. SBAS letter to Goleta re Village Los Carneros 2014-01-31 SBAS Response Letter to SHELBY PROJECT_DEIR_2014-06-09 FINAL
