Goleta Keeps Flood Control On Tap For Old Town

Santa Barbara Newsroom
By Tom Schultz
April 2, 2007

The Goleta City Council late Monday moved a flood control proposal, described by officials as “the highest priority improvement project for the city,” one step closer to groundbreaking.

In a 5-0 vote, the council OK’d findings released last month that a $14 million reconstruction of the lower San Jose Creek channel through Old Town would not have significant negative effects on the environment.

In doing so, council members directed staff managers to add language describing why alternative designs championed by some environmental organizations would not be feasible.

The Goleta City Council late Monday moved a flood control proposal, described by officials as “the highest priority improvement project for the city,” one step closer to groundbreaking.

In a 5-0 vote, the council OK’d findings released last month that a $14 million reconstruction of the lower San Jose Creek channel through Old Town would not have significant negative effects on the environment.

In doing so, council members directed staff managers to add language describing why alternative designs championed by some environmental organizations would not be feasible.

“It will help the community understand,” Councilman Michael Bennett said.

The channel runs under Hollister Avenue and parallel to Highway 217. Old Town -- along Hollister and south to the ocean, and between Kellogg Avenue and Fairview Avenue -- has historically suffered millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses in heavy winter storms.

“The San Jose Creek Capacity project is considered the highest priority improvement project for the City of Goleta,” according to the report in question, known as a mitigated negative declaration.

The report determined Goleta can adequately offset problems in its preferred plan associated with construction dust and the disruption of natural habitats. No impacts to agriculture, mineral resources, housing, recreation or public services would occur, according to the 109-page document.

“No other major infrastructure project identified in the Goleta Old Town Revitalization Plan can go forward until the San Jose Creek flooding problem is resolved,” according to the report.

The public can comment on the environmental findings through Wednesday at City Hall.

Recent efforts to tackle the flooding problem date to the mid-1990s, when severe weather battered the region. When things got really bad, kayaks could be spotted where cars typically travel.

Plans currently include reconstruction of the Hollister Avenue bridge over San Jose Creek, modifications to the existing concrete flood control channel downstream of Hollister, the permanent replacement of approximately 350 feet of existing concrete channel with a natural bottom, and relocation of an existing “at risk” above-ground sewer line.

Modifications also would involve removal of an existing secondary steel bridge -- located approximately 100 feet downstream of Hollister -- and the relocation of an existing sewer line currently suspended from that steel bridge to underneath Highway 217. Officials say that line is susceptible to damage from floods and debris.

Approximately 475 feet of the concrete-lined creek channel -- extending from 80 feet upstream to 300 feet downstream of the bridge at Hollister -- would be removed and replaced with new vertical concrete banks 15 feet high, according to plans.

A 430-foot section of concrete bottom would be removed and left unpaved as a natural stream bed approximately 50 feet wide.

Upstream of the Hollister Avenue Bridge, the existing creek banks would be tied into new vertical walls, using boulders as a transition. These boulders would be placed, covered with soil, and planted with native plants, according to the city.

Final design of the project is scheduled for the end of 2007. However, the proposal must then wind its way through a series of reviews, including a final council vote plus consideration by the state Coastal Commission, before any work can begin.

The Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, an independent agency, owns and maintains the channel and also must approve any changes to the channel. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, must approve change to flood hazard maps associated with the project.

If approved, construction could begin in Spring 2008.

Several individuals on Monday night and in preceding letters to the city pushed the council to consider more options before a final vote.

Ben Pitterle, watershed programs director at Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, joined those calling for Goleta to perform a full environmental impact report and tap grant funds to better accommodate the passage of steelhead trout. Options could include a deeper, more natural bed than the one proposed, or redirecting the creek through nearby agricultural lands, he said.

“Money should not be a problem here,’ Pitterle said. “There’s a tremendous opportunity that the city of Goleta is missing out on. You just need to decide that this is really what you want to do. Please don’t pull the trigger on this yet.”

Options for fish habitat enhancements and creek diversions were among alternatives considered by biologists and public works brass, Community Services Director Steve Wagner responded. “We looked at all sorts of ranges for natural channel options."

But difficulties arose, he added.

Trout passage improvements could be incorporated at a later date as a separate project, and relocating the creek could make the city liable for damages associated with the diversion of flood flows, Wagner said.

Some homeowners and business leaders describe the speedy correction of flood problems as critical to the successful revitalization of Old Town, an area more dense and rundown than other parts of the city.

Kristen Amyx, president and CEO of the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce, said Old Town would be well served by the city’s proposal:

“The project is very much needed to address the economic vitality of businesses of OT and the safety of employees and residents there.”

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