-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel McCarter <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2022 7:50 AM
To: City Clerk Group <[email protected]>
Subject: Multi-Use Path
Dear Mayor and members of the City Council,
Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council (UCC) has worked for over 30 years in Goleta, and across the south coast, for protection of creeks and important watershed resources. We are a 501(c)(3) whose mission includes protection of riparian habitat, a part of the landscape that must be carefully managed to meet watershed goals of health, biological productivity and functionality that people of Goleta expect. We are urging that great care be taken to protect native trees in the design and construction of the multi- use path.
Please make sure that the most qualified experts, including a certified arborist, will be employed in planning, design, and implementation of the project.
To avoid fragmentation and depleted habit value for wildlife, encroachment into Environmentally Sensitive Habitat (where unavoidable) must adhere to the most rigorous professional standards and must be planned by the most qualified experts. Please do not put Goleta's remaining natural riparian space at risk. Use the most qualified person to evaluate impacts, and instruct him or her to make every effort to protect San Jose Creek's green-belt from degradation.
Ken Knight has also submitted comments that urge caution in routing the multi-use path. UCC agrees with him that there may be omissions and serious problems with the draft plan. He is certified as an arborist, and is an expert with experience in tree protection. Mr. Knight has submitted substantial evidence that a fair argument can be made that the project may result in significant impacts.
Included below is Policy CE 9, from the Conservation Element of the City's General Plan:
Policy CE 9: Protection of Native Woodlands [GP/CP]
Objective: To maintain and protect existing native trees and woodlands as a valuable resource needed to support wildlife and provide visual amenities.
CE 9.1 Definition of Protected Trees. [GP/CP] New development shall be sited and designed to preserve the following species of native trees: oaks (Quercus spp.), walnut (Juglans californica), sycamore (Platanus racemosa), cottonwood (Populus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), or other native trees that are not otherwise protected in ESHAs, unless as otherwise allowed in CE 9. (Amended by Reso. 09-59, 11/17/09)
CE 9.2 Tree Protection Plan. [GP/CP] Applications for new development on sites containing protected native trees shall include a report by a certified arborist or other qualified expert. The report shall include an inventory of native trees and a Tree Protection Plan.
CE 9.3 Native Oak Woodlands or Savannas. [GP/CP] Native oak woodlands and savannas are designated as ESHAs and shall be preserved and protected. A minimum buffer area shall be established via the implementation of CE-IA-4, Preparation of a Tree Protection Ordinance. (Amended by Reso. 09-59, 11/17/09)
CE 9.4 Tree Protection Standards. [GP/CP] The following impacts to native trees and woodlands should be avoided in the design of projects: 1) removal of native trees; 2) fragmentation of habitat; 3) removal of understory; 4) disruption of the canopy, and 5) alteration of drainage patterns. Structures, including roads and driveways, should be sited to prevent any encroachment into the protection zone of any protected tree and to provide an adequate buffer outside of the protection zone of individual native trees in order to allow for future growth. Tree protection standards shall be detailed in the Tree Protection Ordinance called for in CE-IA-4. (Amended by Reso. 09-59, 11/17/09)
CE 9.5 Mitigation of Impacts to Native Trees. [GP/CP] Where the removal of mature native trees cannot be avoided through the implementation of project alternatives or where development encroaches into the protected zone and could threaten the continued viability of the tree(s), mitigation measures shall include, at a minimum, the planting of replacement trees on site, if suitable area exists on the subject site, or offsite if suitable onsite area is unavailable, consistent with the Tree Protection Ordinance (see also CE-IA-4). The Tree Protection Ordinance shall establish the mitigation ratios for replacement trees for every tree removed. Where onsite mitigation is not feasible, offsite mitigation shall be provided by planting of replacement trees at a site within the same watershed. If the tree removal occurs at a site within the Coastal Zone, any offsite mitigation area shall also be located within the Coastal Zone.
Minimum sizes for various species of replacement trees shall be established in the Tree Protection Ordinance. Mitigation sites shall be monitored for a period of 5 years. The City may require replanting of trees that do not survive.
(Amended by Reso. 09-59, 11/17/09)
Thank you for considering our concerns. In the interest of protecting Goleta's remaining and highly valued riparian resources, please make sure that planning is overseen by the most qualified experts.
Thank you,
Dan McCarter
President
Santa Barbara Urban reeks Council
From: Barry Remis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2022 3:23 PM
To: City Clerk Group <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]; 'Melissa Cunningham' <[email protected]> Subject: SBBIKE+COAST Public Comment Letter for San Jose Creek Bike Path Project Public Hearing 9/20
Good afternoon!
Attached please find SBBIKE+COAST’s public comment letter of support for the San Jose Creek Path Project public hearing (agenda item C.2) at tomorrow’s Goleta City Council meeting. We appreciate you distributing our letter to the Mayor, City Council members and City staff.
Thank you!
Barry P. Remis
Programs Administrator
PO Box 92047
Santa Barbara, CA
93190-2047
sbbike.org
805.845.8955
Santa Barbara
Office + Bici Centro
508 E. Haley St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805.617.3255
Santa Maria Bici Centro
310 E. Oak St.
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Barbara City
College Bici Centro
Main Campus
Board of Directors
David Dennis
Greg Janée
Dawn Mitcham
Blake Stok
Jack Bailey
Adolfo Lopez
f
f
September 19, 2022
Dear Mayor Perotte & Council Members,
SBBIKE+COAST supports the San Jose Creek Multi-Use Path Project’s final Initial Study- Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) environmental document and urges the City Council’s approval and authorization of the IS-MND and Development Plan. We are excited to see these two important path segments create a seamless connection between the existing San Jose Creek Trail north of Calle Real and the Atascadero Creek Bikeway/Obern Trail.
We appreciate the 1:1 (and 3:1 for riparian) tree replacement that has been added to the report.
We would like to ensure the following is addressed as the design moves forward:
1. Calle Real Connection. The plan shows no connection between the planned path and the existing path across Calle Real to the north. It is vital that a safe and direct connection be included as part of the next phases of design and is constructed as part of the project.
2. Jonny D. Wallis Park Connection. The new path must be designed and constructed with clear connections and signage to the existing path through Jonny D. Wallis Park. The trail should not be routed through a parking lot.
3. S Kellogg Ave Facilities. Kellogg Ave must have, at the least, Class II bike lanes, with buffered bike lanes or, preferred, Class IV separated bike lanes. This is a vital connection that must continue at the same level of safety as the path.
4. S Kellogg and Hollister Ave Crossing. This crossing location must be designed and constructed as part of the project and meet the level of safety of the path. A protected intersection is recommended.
5. San Jose Creek overcrossing and S Kellogg Transition. The new path must seamlessly connect to facilities along S. Kellogg whether users are pedestrians or bicyclists.
Through this long-awaited and valuable project, an important component of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, we have the opportunity to create safer regional access where the community can walk, run, bike and roll with family and friends, getting to school or work without automobile dependence. We look forward to seeing this project move forward.
Sincerely,
Heather Deutsch
Executive Director
1 From: Nancy Mulholland <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2022 8:12 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Re: Mitigated Negative Declaration and Development Plan for the San Jose Creek Multiuse Path Project.
Dear Members of the Goleta City Council,
I am writing to ask that you support this project, approve the final MND, and move the project forward to final design where the impacts identified in this declaration can be addressed.
This Project will provide an essential multiuse path for a safer and more efficient route from north of the 101 to Old Town. The second proposed multiuse path from S. Kellogg Ave. to the Obern Trail will give residents and visitors the option of accessing Goleta Beach, UCSB, as well as connections north and south along the Coastal Route without the use of a motor vehicle. This opportunity will be available for pedestrians, users of wheelchairs and other mobility aids, as well as for riders of bicycles. The health benefits to the community as a whole in lowered VMT, traffic congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions could be substantial.
For these reasons, I support this project and hope you will as well.
Lastly, I ask that you recognize the essential need for connections between existing routes. To make this a complete and uninterrupted route, please direct your staff to simultaneously work to fund and construct needed Complete Streets facilities along the section of S. Kellogg Ave which are not included in this project. I am concerned that without the missing third piece, we will have two important but disconnected paths.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Nancy Mulholland
1 From: cecilia brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 9:06 AM
To: Paula Perotte; James Kyriaco; Roger Aceves; Kyle Richards; Stuart Kasdin Cc: City Clerk Group; Teresa Lopes; Laura Bridley
Subject: Comments on San Jose Creek Bikepath project
Dear Madame Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing in support of this project. Please approve the MND in order to get this project underway.
In your project considerations tonight, I am requesting that you require a public process in the vetting of the proposed Tree Protection Plan as proscribed in the MND.
Perhaps you can better understand my request is when you know not only the number of trees to be impacted in the northern section of the project but also their size: The below info is taken from Table 5 of the MND. What this table doesn’t provide is information on the tree’s height nor their age, both of which are significant. Do a site visit to the north side of Calle Real where the bike path begins and see for yourself. Replacing these trees even at a 3:1 ratio will not restore the grandeur or importance of this forest of trees as it exists now. Better to eliminate/reduce impacts if possible and hope that the Tree Protection Plan will achieve that objective.
Name of trees to be removed, number to be removed, and Diameter of the trunk at Breast Height (DBH) Ranges (inches) Eucalyptus 9, 16‐55
Oak 6, 8‐24
Cottonwood 10, 8‐36
Sycamore 9, 4‐42
Other Trees 2 48, 6‐46
Already envisioned in the Staff Report on big page 87 item #7 is a public process: “Prior to the preparation of project bidding documents, the Applicant/Permittee may seek Design Review Board (DRB) advisory input of the project plans and landscaping.” I believe this action for DRB Review will provide an opportunity not now existing, that would allow the public an opportunity to understand and comment on the Tree Protection Plan. Please ensure this process happens as well as the public process for the vetting of the Tree Protection Plan before it is finalized.
Thank
you for considering my comments.
C. Brown
Member, City of Goleta Design Review Board
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 2:26 PM
To: City Clerk Group <[email protected]>
Subject: Item C.2 Council agenda for 9/20/22
Please include the attached comments for tonight’s Council meeting.
Ken Knight
Registered Consulting Arborist #507
Board Certified Master Arborist WE6394BM
ISA Risk Assessment Qualified
ASCA Tree Appraisal Qualified
(805) 252-1952
www.goletaarborists.com
[email protected]
From: Bob Wignot <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 1:57 PM
To: Deborah Lopez <[email protected]>
Cc: Paula Perotte <[email protected]>; Roger Aceves <[email protected]>; Stuart Kasdin <[email protected]>; Kyle Richards <[email protected]>; James Kyriaco <[email protected]>
Subject: Elks Comment Letter to Council for 9/20/2022 Meeting
Ms. Deborah Lopez, City Clerk
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
Dear Ms. Lopez,
Please find attached a comment letter for the City Council Meeting of September 20, 2022, Agenda Item C.2 Public Hearing to Approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Development Plan for the San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path Project.
Sincerely,
Bob Wignot
for
Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613
150 North Kellogg Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
1 From: Kim Stanley <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2022 9:30 AM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Please support the San Jose Creek path
Dear City Council Members,
The San Jose Creek path has been in the works for many years. It has involved thousands of hours of effort; plans are made, funds available. The impact of this project could raise the quality of life for both commuters and recreational cyclists by connecting people to both commercial and natural areas. Additionally, this is something the City of Goleta could actually do to mitigate climate change. More people on bicycles is a community benefit in so many ways.
Please make this important project become a reality.
Sincerely,
Kim Stanley
Local Bicyclist