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| Noel Christmas Tree Farm
For those of you interested in the housing development
proposed for the Noel Christmas Tree Farm, please try
to attend a meeting on Tuesday, October 28th at 7:00
pm in the Cathedral Oaks Village Association clubhouse.
The developer of the property, Jeff Nelson, will present
his latest plans for building 134 homes on the agricultural
parcel. As proposed, there will be 30 units on lots
of 2,000 to 3,900 square feet, 57 units on lots of 4,050
to 7,000 square feet and 15 units on lots from 10,200
to 12,300 square feet. In addition there will be 32
town homes. This will be your chance to ask questions
about density, building heights, the neighborhood park,
traffic concerns and other topics that may be of interest.
PANA will distribute flyers to immediate neighbors
inviting them to attend. A copy of the flyer can be
viewed on our website, www.panaspeedbump.org,
under the “issues” section.
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| Housing Element Update
As promised, PANA has submitted comments to the
county on the current draft of the housing element
update. As described in past newsletters, PANA
continues to have serious concerns about the rezoning
and design standards that will occur if the housing
element is adopted in its current form. The comments
can be viewed in their entirety on the PANA web
site.
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| ITEMS IN THE NEWS
An Opinion about Housing
Jack Hawxhurst, the City of Goleta’s mayor and
a former president of PANA, expressed his views on the
local housing situation in a recent article in the Valley
Voice. The article is very informative and can be viewed
at http://www.goletavalleyvoice.com/cgi-bin/community/readarticle.cgi?article=537
How will we grow?
On September 26, 2003 the Santa Barbara News-Press ran
a front page article describing the results of a study
by the Santa Barbara Region Economic Community Project.
The ECP is a non-profit organization of business, government
and community activists whose mission is to promote
a healthy environment, a sustainable economy, and the
preservation of our citizens’ quality of life
for future generations.
Calling for a need to plan regionally, the organization
partnered with UCSB to project to the year 2040 the
likely outcomes of six different growth scenarios. Ranging
from no-growth to unlimited growth in the foothills
and up the Gaviota Coast, the study produced some interesting
results.
The unlimited growth scenario results in the construction
of very few affordable units and results in the greatest
increase in commuters. The scenario that requires all
new housing to be sold as affordable results in the
largest loss of the middle class population. The no
growth scenario maintains the most open space and generates
the smallest increase in population yet sees the largest
increase in housing prices.
And with all scenarios whether maximum build-out or
no build-out, commuter traffic will increase. This information
is different than what the county is suggesting in their
housing element update that the building of houses,
whether affordable or market rate, will result in a
decrease of commuter traffic.
The authors of the report conclude that under all six
scenarios each will eventually result in a decrease
in population. This is at odds with the State of California’s
experts who have concluded just the opposite. The full
report can be viewed at http://www.sbecp.org/documents.htm
Our love of cars
As reported by CNN in August 2003, for the first time
the typical American family has more vehicles in the
garage (or parked on the street) than licensed drivers
in the house. Across the US there are 191 million drivers
and 204 million vehicles. Regardless of whether it is
good, bad or indifferent it does stand in stark contrast
to calls for housing developments with reduced parking
standards.
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| Walk-able Communities
Dan Burden, the nation’s foremost expert
on walk-able communities, will be evaluating Hollister
Avenue in Goleta Old Town on Sunday, October 26,
2003. He will conduct an afternoon walk-through
of Goleta Old Town, focusing on walking/bicycling
conditions and roadway design improvements, including:
• Sidewalk conditions
• Street crossings
• Street design
• On-street and off-street parking
• Role of trees and landscaping
Sunday night he will present his findings at
the Goleta Valley Community Center at 7 PM. He
will also discuss how traffic calming, healthy
street design and walkable communities principles
can be used throughout the City of Goleta. The
event is free and open to the public. To learn
more about this event, visit www.livablestreetscoalition.org.
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| Historical Landmark
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recently
passed a resolution designating historical landmark
status on the property located at 5048 Via Lara Lane.
The property includes a distinctive Craftsman style
home, water tower, barn, and other early 20th Century
features that contribute to the unique architectural
and historical value of the property. The property is
regarded as historically significant because it is associated
with the early 20th century Goleta Valley pioneer family
of Peter Irvine and his wife, Mary Begg, who was descended
from 19th century Scottish settlers in the Goleta Valley.
Moreover, the property retains integrity of location,
design, craftsmanship, and aesthetic quality, and reflects
the ranching and farming period of Goleta Valley history
in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Dutcher Design 2003
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