September 2002

Noel Christmas Tree Farm
At the request of Jeff Nelson, developer for the project, I attended the first county BAR meeting in support for the project as has been discussed with PANA and COVA (Cathedral Oaks Village Association), i.e., traffic circulation, density, other neighborhood compatibility issues. Two years ago, Jeff was planning for 85 houses, more recently 95 with a mix of price ranges. PANA's agreement with Jeff was to keep the houses under 100. At county BAR meeting talked about 120 houses, redoing traffic circulation system within the project, and adding more cluster housing. Project still has its own entry/exit onto Patterson. Jeff was going to be talking to his planner this month, probably to get a more definitive number on the density. As currently planned, density mirrors the surrounding area, about 3.6/acre. This project will be going before the planning commission for a rezone from ag to residential, but it will be awhile before the housing project makes it way to the planning commission.

Patterson Packing
After reviewing the traffic report dated Dec 2001 for the project, I suggested to Trudi that she get an updated one because of the smaller size of the ARCO project (this affects total cumulative traffic impacts for the area) and because ATE had used traffic numbers for a project larger than what she was proposing. Also suggessted some other changes. Have no idea when this might be going before the planning commission, probably next year. Have periodically reviewed with Trudi the project design. As you recall, community was hugely in favor of this project, so I have tried to support her efforts.

ARCO
Per my last email, with PANA's support, Doreen Farr has appealed the project to the board of supervisors. She is meeting with county staff on October 23 in an arbitration attempt. Have no idea when it will be going before the board. Expect that PANA will do a flyer distribtion to neighbors before the board of supervisors meeting. Stay tuned.

Maravilla
This project has received recent Newspress publicity regarding butterfly setbacks, etc. The project conditions of approval dated May 2001 called for 200 foot cnstruction setbacks during the butterfly aggregation period of 1 Nov through April. The independent and assisted living units are located within these setbacks. The developer asked the city council for reduction in the setbacks to 100 feet to allow construction to continue. The city council has not responded and is unlikely to respond. Having been to the site this morning, it looks like construction activity has ceased on that portion of the site nearest the butterfly aggregation sites.

Tree replacement
As chair of the City of Goleta's Design Review Board street tree subcommittee, I have been directly involved in getting trees replaced on streets where trees were removed incident to the county's sidewalk/curb/gutter repair earlier in the year. While this may not have appeared to have been a PANA project since it is coming from the DRB, the request to get these trees replaced originated before I was selected to the DRB. So, we can give PANA credit for yet another neighborhood advocacy project.

University Open Space
PANA has made a $500 contribution to the neighborhood group who is trying to get enough money together to replace the unsafe and outdated recreation equipment in the University Open Space.

Next meeting
Probably mid November now, unless board feels there is a need for one sooner. As requested at the last meeting, I want the board to discuss PANA's mission and objectives for next year, and to include more community members. Also, I would like to have an open board meeting since I have several requests from neighbors to attend.