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Santa Barbara County Planning Commission upholds staff approval of Laurel Springs appeals after debate over late fire plan
Summary
After two days of hearings, the Planning Commission denied appeals by Michelle Peterson of two Laurel Springs single‑family proposals, concluding staff’s voluntary fire protection plan and County Fire’s conceptual letter supported approval; appellants sought CEQA review and more time to peer‑review last‑minute materials.
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission denied appeals by Michelle Peterson of two Laurel Springs single‑family residence approvals and voted to approve the projects after extended hearings on Jan. 26 and Jan. 28. Commissioners split on whether the applicants’ late‑filed voluntary fire protection plan supplied enough technical assurance for the commission to act without additional environmental review; staff and County Fire had provided conceptual concurrence that supported approval.
The commission heard a lengthy staff presentation and an applicant team briefing explaining the voluntary fire protection plan, which includes non‑combustible detailing, metal roofs, ember‑resistant vents and other building‑hardening recommendations aligned with the latest Wildland‑Urban Interface standards and Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) “Wildfire Prepared Home Plus.” County staff recommended approval, proposing to incorporate County Fire’s letter into…
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