Residents present interactive planning tool and museum update during public comment

Two members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public‑comment period. Neither item was on the agenda and no action was taken.

Interactive planning tool: Ms. Torres, a Buellton resident, said she built an online, interactive visualization tool (cesium.buellton.helio views.ai — spelled out in her remarks) intended to let community members and city representatives view project renderings in 3‑D, compare current and projected population or traffic patterns, and examine street‑level and bird’s‑eye views of proposed developments. Torres said she holds a master’s degree in mathematics and a certification in digital screen technology and that she has connected the tool to other simulation resources. Planning staff told Torres that public comment is not normally interactive and invited her to meet with staff after the meeting to discuss next steps and any needed verifications before public distribution.

Museum update: Ms. Shoemaker Silva, who identified herself as a resident and volunteer donor to the San Yanez Valley Children’s Museum, told commissioners the museum will be open monthly on second Saturdays and that the organization plans phased openings and volunteer training. She said the museum has engaged volunteers across school groups and community partners and that programming is intended to be child‑centered with outdoor activities, planter boxes and community events.

Both speakers asked for staff feedback or direction; staff offered to meet one‑on‑one with the resident who built the interactive tool to review technical claims and discuss how the city might receive or present such tools to the public. No formal staff direction or policy action was taken during the meeting.