Goleta Council Takes Steps to Allow Village Proposal

Santa Barbara Newsroom
By Tom Schultz
May 8, 2007

A key document governing the construction of 275 homes in Goleta is facing a new round of scrutiny, following a meeting Monday night in which the City Council agreed to give staff planners and the developer more time to sort through some sticky details.

The Village at Los Carneros would reduce views and put residents near passing trains, creating a potential hazard, according to a draft environmental impact report (EIR) on the Bermant Homes project proposed for an area of undeveloped Goleta south of Highway 101 and the Union Pacific Railroad, east of Castillian Drive and northwest of Los Carneros Road.

Its backers say the project also would put a mix of much-needed residential units including 63 affordable rental apartments close to jobs while providing open space.

The developer, Andrew Bermant, asked the council for 15 more days to sort out with neighbors of the project whether a preferred entrance to the property could connect with Los Carneros across from Calle Koral. Currently, motorists would access the site through an adjacent office park. City officials said they too preferred the Calle Koral option.

Another issue was views. While the draft EIR identifies views to the southwest from the Los Carneros overpass at Highway 101 as significant, along with views from passing Amtrak trains, Bermant and council members questioned these designations. Staff planners said they anticipated a potential downgrade in the status of these views.

As part of the plan, Bermant hopes to stockpile 51,000 cubic feet of dirt at the site for use in future construction of another project there. While some who attended Monday's meeting suggested the stockpile should be reconsidered, Councilman Michael Bennett said moving it offsite using large trucks burning diesel fuel would be more harmful to the environment than leaving it there.

"I don't think it's something we should by any means eliminate," Bennett said.

As part of the project, the council must also decide whether to allow a bridge across Tecolotito Creek for vehicles, or perhaps just bicycles and pedestrians.

The council extended its review period for the draft through May 24. If the council approves the draft report after that, it would later consider a final version and then take a vote on the project. Officials say this could occur later this year.

The homes would rise on 16 acres of the 66-acre property. In addition, the project would add two business park buildings to two others constructed at the site in 1990 and currently occupied by Allergan Medical and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.

In past hearings, members of the public had raised specific concerns, among them: reduced wildlife and wetlands habitats, railroad-related air pollution and traffic and air quality impacts at nearby intersections.

Backers of the project, including the Coastal Housing Partnership, see it as a way to increase the region's affordable housing stock.

On Monday, housing advocates expressed support for the project with some urging the inclusion of even more affordable units.

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