Supervisors Approve Contested Homes on North Patterson

Santa Barbara Newsroom
By Barney McManigal
April 18, 2007

County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously cleared a six-home project on North Patterson Avenue that divided neighbors and revealed the strong resistance builders face in the Goleta Valley -- even with smaller-scale projects.

The Board of Supervisors approved landowner Terri Hourigan’s plan to build homes ranging from 4,200- to 4,800-square-feet on a six-acre plot that some residents call the street’s “crown jewel.”

While the project slated for 1118 Patterson Ave. would come in well under the maximum housing density -- of about three homes per acre -- allowed under the law -- neighbors voiced concerns about traffic, safety and the long-term impacts of growth. Until supervisors cast their votes Tuesday, the Hourigan property was restricted to agricultural uses.

A hodge-podge of housing tracts, mini-malls and scattered farm plots, the unincorporated area between Santa Barbara and Goleta has generated some of the most bitter debates over land-use in a region suffering from intense growing pains.

Describing the project as “piece-meal” planning, several residents requested delays that would allow planners and the community to gauge the impact of all future growth.

Jack Armstrong, a member of the Coalition for Sensible Planning, said officials should wait until the county updates the area’s growth blueprint, which fell out of date when Goleta became a city in 2002. The county plans to finish the update later this year or next.

“You should postpone this project until a comprehensive Goleta Valley Community Plan is completed,” Armstrong said.

But at least one supervisor publicly resisted that idea, saying it could lead to legal troubles down the road.

“That would be tantamount to suggesting a moratorium on building,” said Supervisor Joe Centeno, who has generally voiced strong support for community plan efforts.

Several neighbors praised the project and lamented the red tape Hourigan has faced since she unveiled it in 2001. Overall, she has spent about $600,000 in preparation costs, said Laura Bridley, the land-use consultant representing Hourigan.

Budget hawk Andy Caldwell blasted officials for taking six years to approve a project that he said should have received a permit over-the-counter.

The Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business spokesman also took aim at supervisors for not maximizing housing densities on the property to help the county comply with a state mandate for new growth.

“They could have built double -- and probably should have built double -- the number of houses here,” Caldwell said. “The people in the South County need to get a life and get real.”

Besides issues involving the development itself, a major concern of project critics was the need for a stop sign at the corner of Patterson and Camino Meleno. After hearing from several speakers, supervisors agreed to direct the Public Works Department to install the traffic stop.

Supervisor Janet Wolf, the area's representative, called the project a good compromise between diverse interests on both sides.

“One of the reasons it worked out is the response from the neighbors,” said Wolf, who described the property as “very beautiful.”

“When you have that, it’s beneficial.”