[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6595577,"mediaKeyId","3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73","parentId",3028963,"title","Council adopts ordinance introducing state-designated fire hazard severity zones for small city areas","audioSeconds",573,"startMs",8400000,"endMs",8973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73&start=8400&end=8973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73/thumbnail_8400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595577/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-adopts-ordinance-introducing-state-designated-fire-hazard-severity-zones-for-small-city-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595577-6ba6196903685ee114202e3947f5cffc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145156&Signature=P0Xc7-u2HOVZAmyfDhsxFNn2NNcPvNWJ-mRiCfVO7zqr9uavavn705jg4Vo8DFJpc1dw0nJ~cqEDiuYRr35TpMsr2RdNn~asx3DspG~WV6PB2U3uVud5I1Eac~i7ydyiyYhplZKm63U4gsywTlMGjYhYlp9yi9E4r~hQGE4yS3uJK5ii7MwPFnn2JQC3vzh3MXR~J2QNT~V~cgrZLBHsx-2HKMeWgoFMiI4E51dX-bSHfSJTJ1nfoCbn4dowpPaR09IQ3CfxbDF0d~MCCETpLkX4~L92sSdTgYR84QFI5Z769X3HTQfUmAYbd-zuO0Je2ciBG51Cq22uud4UNOwZFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-16T15:55:58Z","article","Fire Marshal Jim Austin introduced an ordinance designating newly identified fire hazard severity zones within Santa Maria after the State Fire Marshal's phased rollout of new zone maps earlier in the year. The state mapping used Cal Fire's model based on factors such as vegetation, fire history, flame length, ember transport and topography.

Austin said the map identifies small, scattered areas as moderate fire hazard severity: a northeast area near the Santa Maria Riverbed and a southeast area near the Santa Maria Airport and Pioneer Park. He emphasized the mapped areas are mostly already developed neighborhoods or airport operations areas and that city construction and maintenance requirements would remain unchanged.

On potential homeowner impacts and insurance implications, Austin read guidance from the California Insurance Commissioner noting that Cal Fire maps are intended for planning decisions and that insurance companies use broader risk models; he also said privately that while state guidance exists, insurance markets may still decline coverage in some high‑risk areas.

The council voted on the ordinance introduction (first reading) and directed staff to return a copy of the adopted ordinance to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption as required by state procedures. Council members asked specific questions about whether identified mobile home parks would be affected; Austin replied that, in his judgment, the mapped areas should not create immediate new construction requirements because the neighborhoods are established and vegetation and topography do not elevate hazard metrics significantly.

The motion to introduce the ordinance passed on a roll call vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Maria City Council - April 15, 2025 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Fire Marshal Jim Austin presented state-designated fire hazard severity mapping showing small moderate‑severity areas in the northeast riverbed neighborhood and near the airport; council adopted the ordinance introduction on first reading and staff will notify the state.","taxTitle","Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",3656,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6595581,"Council continues review of Quimby park‑fee ordinance to June meeting after developer and community requests",964,7422000,8386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73&start=7422&end=8386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73/thumbnail_7422000.jpg","/articles/6595581/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-continues-review-of-Quimby-parkfee-ordinance-to-June-meeting-after-developer-and-community-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595581-62154e4be8d36a842899c481e03bf245/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145156&Signature=EvK8WcOv5c6N~Vt0mhd1FiYYQyo6pvgXiU9XWNB2IcvRbwCRZo~5uHpC1sMKwdfWyOibw-Q82Cip15IkV9sxh8Jo3OQI1YTV1XRzMJaAHXS9TEjvBSEQrbobclGaeYs-wdgEZe5lfx-swL-cHmUrL0V5dKkdVuhIKXxiv1~j~Qb~vx27P86z3OzkxHP3FS3bia~5futBnzD~fi51ZZM8wBuIb6d~4IPVMRAblwM~SfA21BEP4rI4w7s0AIUQIP5gYXI7H-7bxW~bjQ0EZ9zm8rQgoEVF2LByQa5x7ZnZ4FGoTYuUoDls~Ga0aHoF4v6ihpC~M2zS~gTbL5XyvXW5uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alex Posada, Director of Recreation and Parks, introduced proposed revisions to Santa Maria's park dedication ordinance (the Quimby fee program) during the April 25 meeting, describing roughly a dozen substantive changes to timing, definitions, credit limits and administration.

Posada said staff proposes renaming the ordinance to the Quimby fee program (Quimby is state law governing parkland dedication and fees), clarifying that 50% of the fee would be due at permit issuance and the remaining 50% upon issuance of the first certificate of occupancy. Staff recommended using the California Department of Finance population estimates (rather than decennial federal census numbers) to compute average household size for fee formulas and proposed allowing the Recreation and Parks Commission a role in adopting an acreage standard (three to five acres per 1,000 residents), noting the city has an approximate 50‑acre deficit within city limits.

Posada described other revisions: clarifying that park acreage must be accessible to the public (not remote or inaccessible open space), codifying that private recreation improvements behind locked gates are not eligible for fee credit, removing a narrow 1,500‑square‑foot credit loophole for minimal amenities, lowering maximum developer credit levels (staff proposed reducing a prior 60% maximum credit to a lower level to ensure fees collected suffice to build neighborhood parks) and clarifying deferment and reduction processes for affordable and senior housing projects.

Representatives of the development community asked for more time to review the proposed changes and to provide specific comments. Urban Planning Concepts (Pete Simmons) requested that fee timing be clarified to allow collection at occupancy rather than split at permit issuance, and asked for clear language on ADUs and SB 9 parcels. CoLab (Andy Caldwell) and other commenters urged council to consider the overall fee burden and impacts on housing affordability. Staff acknowledged a packet attachment (an appraisal) had been included in error and said fee figures would come back at a later fee‑setting hearing.

Following public comment and requests from developers for additional review time, the council voted to continue the Quimby ordinance item to the first meeting in June to allow staff to confer with developers and return with a refined draft and a summary of changes.","Staff introduced updates to the city's Quimby (park dedication) ordinance to clarify fee timing, definitions, credits and deferments; developers requested more time for review and the council continued the item to the first June meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6595586,"Council adopts Measure A five‑year local program of projects; funds support paving, sidewalks and alternative transportation",536,5783000,6319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73&start=5783&end=6319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73/thumbnail_5783000.jpg","/articles/6595586/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-adopts-Measure-A-fiveyear-local-program-of-projects-funds-support-paving-sidewalks-and-alternative-transportation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595586-365e6bc67f55e0acc70d30ca8c403255/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145156&Signature=mfJnhAzsR~s~OP7mEJy3YMwIBjSyIZ4yiaKZBx97vwXUPy9BjmHFxpZgz1oDUEO5t5B3gzTtrdIS19H2xCeEiCrbC1VddCI3ApAqz2KVYGZ8DgK-FAGu0JLEIW3n043oZaqEtW7-RCIFH67T5KfJnJtJiAuW9-yG43XQUo~CIUYSlFDfCWwnW5w~xyTcpjRu8No2xabDrF5cFimNJmkePAxrSQOfLvsP0NyLyxqlLviUwWAyVfhhv5s4ZTdxvixY3Fhkx5T7zJpjPIM42m5XmKBuL9xejoh5fiF0oAgPWJJkRx8N8pzD6nk3UrNVxbR1mIgngpzb~fIje2EQwTK5sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director of Public Works Brent Fulghoni presented an overview of Measure A funding and the city's proposed five‑year program of projects during the council meeting. Measure A is the half‑cent countywide sales tax approved by voters in 2008 and running through 2040; Fulghoni said Measure A represented about one third of the city's transportation funding mix this year.

Fulghoni summarized the program categories funded by Measure A: roadway maintenance and road resurfacing, alternative transportation (sidewalks, curb ramps and ADA improvements), traffic safety projects and staff costs tied to maintenance. He said the city intends to use reserve dollars in the next year to address gaps in curb ramps and to eliminate areas that currently lack ramps. The five‑year program table presented by staff estimated a total program amount around $37.0\u001a$38.0 million over the period, and Fulghoni noted one line‑item calculation discrepancy that staff said they would correct.

Council members asked about priorities and the scale of need; Fulghoni said fully repairing every street in Santa Maria would cost in the order of $100 million or more, explaining the need to prioritize heavily used routes. Several council members thanked the public works staff for prioritizing heavily used roads and neighborhood improvements.

After discussion, the council adopted the resolution approving the Measure A five‑year local program of projects with a recorded roll‑call vote. The adopted program funds pavement and concrete work, street lighting projects, traffic safety, and the mandated minimum contribution to alternative transportation projects, with staff to return to the council with payment management program details next month.","Director of Public Works Brent Fulghoni presented the Measure A five‑year program; council adopted the resolution to approve the year's program and funding mix including set‑asides for alternative transportation and staff-led maintenance.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6595591,"Council narrows battery storage zoning; planning commission recommendation would block all in-city sites",2963,2661000,5624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73&start=2661&end=5624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73/thumbnail_2661000.jpg","/articles/6595591/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Council-narrows-battery-storage-zoning-planning-commission-recommendation-would-block-all-in-city-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595591-4374e7b07eb89822354756a934f99fc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145156&Signature=MtF6hIUz04LRdAPZ0d~TE0IEbXIskxk-Ary6~J9YZlre7YRjLkEzBjJ8bKnv~fkXiwASXV90IIsvRWfLwanOCS-ZoIzzb4tcdOBOBY27LXVTwW60RoWQXFRjfWWcpkXe063lMcS7nro7WC5D5hqomh9cz6czPFNFQj5EP9jA60S1BTL~xagsLsS0hUuvuFtV4PatBIR0sFNJ3~hiSnMXekQnGnEF0VkLzr4WDdW-qCT0Brr9G~~btMCEZa~oDH3Be1aVf~duAlMMAQI8YcxLGuZKN6KAJTlLJIojkSNZ4zIeXIvcG~5M5xsW8lE3bxdNaDU5JDnqZQII3S-F8Dqx9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director of Community Development Shannon Dowell introduced an ordinance to amend zoning text for battery energy storage systems (BESS) following a high‑profile January fire at a Moss Landing facility. The amendment would define BESS in the municipal code, confine eligible sites to M‑2 (heavy manufacturing) zones, require an emergency response and action plan in coordination with police and fire, and set a quarter‑mile buffer from sensitive receptors such as residential areas, schools and hospitals.

Dowell said the planning commission recommended additional constraints: add agricultural cultivation uses to the list of sensitive receptors and expand notice to both tenants and property owners within two miles. With the planning commission's added agricultural restriction, she said, \"it would actually eliminate all sites from consideration within the city of Santa Maria.\" The staff offered an alternative compromise to restrict siting directly on agricultural parcels while not applying an agricultural distance buffer; that would leave two potential sites available inside the city.

Representatives of PG&E and energy industry speakers urged the council to review pending state legislation (identified in the meeting as SB 283) and national standards (NFPA 855) before finalizing local rules, to ensure consistency and to reflect evolving, safer technologies such as lithium‑iron phosphate. Eric Daniels of PG&E noted that early installations used older lithium‑ion designs and industry practice has changed; he asked staff to preview state legislation and to consider siting needs such as proximity to substations.

Public commenters and safety advocates raised concerns about large evacuations and plume effects in the Moss Landing incident. Andy Caldwell of CoLab said the Moss Landing fire prompted evacuations up to eight miles and that BESS fires can produce chemical plumes; he urged a full environmental review (EIR) and stronger emergency planning for any local siting. Council members voiced concern about proximity to sensitive uses; one member said she would \"hate for something like this to go up near the county jail.\" Staff noted the ordinance could function as a near‑term local restriction while state standards evolve.

After public comment and discussion, the council voted to proceed with the staff‑directed version on the agenda (which included the M‑2 zoning restriction and other standards but did not adopt the planning commission's broader agricultural distance buffer). The roll call on the motion recorded unanimous support as shown in the meeting record. Staff and several speakers said further coordination with the state and monitoring of state legislation and national standards would continue before any final permit approvals.

The action was an introduction/first reading of zoning text amendments; council members noted it would preserve local control of where BESS may locate while staff returns with any additional edits informed by state action and industry standards.","Council introduced a zoning text amendment for battery energy storage systems restricting them to heavy-manufacturing zones, setting separation from sensitive receptors and expanded public notice; planning commission's tougher agricultural buffer would eliminate in‑city sites and council voted to proceed as directed by staff.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6595594,"Santa Maria details encampment response: roughly $1M city cost, daily riverbed monitoring",914,1940000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73&start=1940&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028963-66e26c9e1ea91e1bab77c02f6b103f73/thumbnail_1940000.jpg","/articles/6595594/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Maria-details-encampment-response-roughly-1M-city-cost-daily-riverbed-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595594-a914bd63e511b0019a08189b12b9be65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145156&Signature=gERaV9TfpoBf2yIz2jEPsp5nnOzozGg6CQ2VMD-7YfI8zfr3j5hI4gj8eehZEuVr42AG-2r74asVRI81F5PuEWurGJgJSqNPL~znOXWCJN2GY~7jm86dygb-CG9oIsIZSYxX16L4iQWbxCADdCCtpcYZXpsjQS-biPSbAXObSOptNAyVIiDuaN7jR4v8tGGbjdtxKFmBMrQxgXuM7nT~uZR6DZCo7y9YWnD8tL-a1KfAmc3hLbQMzOmh4x080xRfrbwpV4SsFVVj8bTCgPqWHKAXMGTWjzYF5SfWK5CyGUMQbbR0qLalTXlY4xL9TdeQzbrTj3BARPikvlex0l6tAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant City Manager Mr. Wu presented a status update on the city's encampment response and homelessness efforts during the April 25 Santa Maria City Council meeting. The presentation outlined statewide and local spending on homelessness, the city's operational approach to camp cleanups and monitoring, and goals for coordination with regional service providers.

The nut of the presentation: California has spent about $24,000,000,000 statewide on homelessness-related programs, the assistant city manager said, and Santa Maria spends roughly $1 million annually on its local encampment response. Mr. Wu said staff costs for enforcement and outreach run on the order of $600,000\u001a$700,000 per year and that much of the city work covers cleanup contractors, police, rangers and code enforcement activities.

Wu said the city's work focuses on three tasks: cleaning and preventing large, persistent encampments; monitoring high‑use areas such as the Santa Maria Riverbed; and coordinating with regional service providers to connect people to housing and services. He described a standard 72‑hour notice that staff issue to campers and said staff carry referral information for organizations such as Good Sam, New Beginnings and Fighting Back to offer services during outreach.

Responding to council questions, police sergeants described field practice for belongings: when significant property is found, officers may book valuables into evidence; otherwise the city stores property for safekeeping for 60 days and individuals may retrieve items during that period, Mr. Wu said. He added that many cleanups occur when occupants are absent or leave on sight, and outcomes depend on whether an individual accepts services.

Council members and the public asked about prevention and long‑term housing. Council Member Soto (recorded as So to) and others pressed for more emphasis on preventing homelessness through housing, jobs and wraparound services; Wu said the county and nonprofit service providers lead on those social services and that the city uses CDBG and other funding to support them when possible. Wu noted the city's role is primarily to ensure clean and safe neighborhoods and support outreach and referrals rather than provide case management directly.

Operational details discussed included daily riverbed patrols by the Recreation and Parks rangers, a unified enforcement front across police, rangers and code enforcement, trimming vegetation to reduce concealment, and evaluating additional public safety measures such as a bicycle registration system to help recover stolen bikes. Wu said the city is exploring improved reporting access for residents beyond the existing Neighborhood Connect app and nonemergency line.

Council members thanked frontline staff for increased enforcement visibility in hotspot areas and noted the tension between cleanup operations and long‑term housing needs. Council Member Soto asked to join staff's task force to weigh prevention measures such as portable toilets and other public health interventions. Wu and others acknowledged the limitations of city authority and funding, and encouraged continued coordination with county programs and service providers.

The presentation concluded without action; staff will continue coordination and return with further program detail as requested by council.","City staff presented an update on homelessness and encampment response, outlining staffing, costs, coordination with county service providers, and operational practices including 72‑hour notices, property storage for 60 days and outreach connections to providers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts ordinance introducing state-designated fire hazard severity zones for small city areas

Council continues review of Quimby park‑fee ordinance to June meeting after developer and community requests

Council adopts Measure A five‑year local program of projects; funds support paving, sidewalks and alternative transportation

Council narrows battery storage zoning; planning commission recommendation would block all in-city sites

Santa Maria details encampment response: roughly $1M city cost, daily riverbed monitoring