Director reports Board upheld San Ysidro Creek wall decision; Board adopted environmental justice element

At the April 1 meeting the Planning and Development director (Miss Plowen) told the Montecito Planning Commission that the Board of Supervisors had upheld the Planning Commissions decision in the Arreya Hajduk appeal concerning a wall along San Ysidro Creek, meaning the commissions previous determination stands.

Plowen said the Board on March 10 adopted an environmental justice element, making a few minor modifications aimed at North County areas; she encouraged commissioners to watch the Board hearing or tape for details.

Plowen also reported that the Board denied eight requested extensions for cannabis odor-abatement equipment in the Carpinteria Valley; she said the county will issue notices of violation to growers who do not install required mitigation such as carbon filtration or photocatalytic oxidation and warned some growers could risk losing licenses if they do not act promptly.

She noted upcoming items: a three-year work program for long-range planning going to the Board on April 7 and budget workshops mid-April, and briefings concerning local-preference proposals for housing and potential ministerial permit changes in May. Plowen said the county is pursuing a targeted marketing requirement for market-rate units to increase access for local employees while acknowledging constraints under federal fair-housing laws.

Commissioners asked a clarifying question about which property the San Ysidro Creek wall decision concerned; Plowen identified the property and counsel referenced the owner representative present at the Board hearing.

The director closed by offering to answer further questions; none were raised and the commission proceeded to the Biltmore Hotel hearing.