Planning commission certifies EIR, approves coastal permit for Los Patos underpass removal; two commissioners dissent

The Santa Barbara City Planning Commission on Nov. 6 certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), approved a coastal development permit and adopted a mitigation monitoring and reporting program for the Los Patos Underpass Removal Project, a scope of work that will remove the rail underpass and bridge elements, place new fill, reconfigure Los Patos Way into a cul‑de‑sac and replace track on fill, while maintaining rail operations during construction with a temporary shoofly track.

Commissioner DeLucio moved to certify the Final EIR, adopt findings of fact and a statement of overriding considerations, approve the coastal development permit and adopt the mitigation monitoring and reporting program; Commissioner Wisscomb seconded. The motion passed 4–2 (yes: DeLucio, Wisscomb, Peterson, Vice Chair Boss; no: Barnwell, Balke). The motion included a clarification to the conditions of approval that the temporary shoofly alignment extend to the Cabrillo bridge and that alternate off‑site tree planting follow the city’s…