Santa Barbara Planning Commission reviews updates to safety element ahead of approval

The Lompoc City Council made significant strides in enhancing community safety during their recent Planning Commission meeting on July 12, 2025. The council reviewed and discussed updates to the city's safety element, which is crucial for addressing fire safety, climate change, and emergency response measures.

The updated safety element retains most of the original 39 measures while introducing 17 new ones. Notably, measures 14 through 22 were added at the direction of CAL FIRE, focusing on fire safety and ensuring effective responses from both the fire department and county medical services. Additionally, measures 32 to 39 were included to tackle climate change and enhance community resilience during extreme weather events, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.

Another key addition is measure 44, which aligns the safety element with the recently adopted airport land use plan by the Santa Barbara Association of Governments. This alignment is essential for ensuring that city planning is consistent with broader regional safety and land use strategies.

The Planning Commission is now tasked with reviewing these updates, addressing any public comments, and making recommendations to the city council. The council aims to finalize the resolution and correct the document's date to reflect its approval in August 2024, rather than October 2023.

As the city moves forward with these updates, the emphasis remains on enhancing safety measures and ensuring that Lompoc is prepared for future challenges. The council's commitment to community safety and resilience is evident, and further discussions will continue until the safety element is fully adopted.