From: Reed
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 4:08 PM
To: Web-City Clerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Tom Widroe
Subject: Public Comment for Council Meeting of Nov. 7, 2023
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Attn.: City Council. This is public comment submission for the City Council meeting of November 7, 2023 regarding Agenda Item 13a.
Re: Item 13a., November 7, 2023, General Plan Update, Preferred Land Use Alternative
Mayor Patino and Council Members:
I am writing both as a lifelong resident of Santa Maria and as Board President of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association to express our support for Modified Alternative C - Hybrid as the Preferred Land Use Alternative for the General Plan Update.
While we realize the need for infill developments within the present borders of the City of Santa Maria, we feel that a realistic General Plan should accommodate, as far as possible, the desires of all potential residents and homeowners. As such, those current and potential residents who prefer low-density single- family residences should be considered when implementing modifications to the General Plan. As such, Alternative A, City infill, is unacceptable because it ignores the need for low-density residential developments. Alternatively, Alternative B, Annexation of some 1,770 acres, appears overly aggressive in terms of agricultural lands lost and fails to meet goals for needed infill projects for those current and future residents who desire that class of residence.
Alternative C- Hybrid is, then, the logical choice as it accommodates both the goal of more infill development as well as meeting the need for additional desirable low-density residential development.
While some decry any lost agricultural land, it must be noted that the areas indicated for annexation are contiguous to current City boundaries and adjacent to existing developments. Such urban encroachment often proves problematic for farming operations as complaints arise due to dust, runoff, noise, and use of pesticides, as well as theft and trespassing. In the current age of food safety concerns, trespassing by both humans and their pets have become of great concern and potential economic risk to farmers. For many growers the best alternative often becomes development of their lands and purchasing other farming sites farther-removed from urban encroachment.
In our judgement, the choice which best meets the objectives of Santa Maria’s current and potential residents, as well as the agricultural community which surrounds it, is Modified Alternative C- Hybrid. We urge you to adopt it in the best interests of the City of Santa Maria.
Thank You for your consideration.
Roy Reed
Board President
Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association
Santa Maria, CA 93454