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Planning commission unanimously recommends rezoning of Orchid Drive nursery to single‑family residential
Summary
The commission voted 5–0 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and rezone 1251 Orchid Drive from Agriculture‑1 to Single‑Family Residential, citing limited agricultural viability and neighborhood compatibility for the 2.33‑acre parcel.
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission voted unanimously (5–0) on March 25 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve a comprehensive plan amendment and zoning map amendment to change 1251 Orchid Drive from Agriculture‑1 to Single‑Family Residential.
Staff presented the Rose application as a request to change the land‑use designation and zoning for a 2.33‑acre parcel currently developed as an orchid nursery. Planner Willow Brown noted no development is proposed at this time and that staff prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration after identifying significant but mitigable impacts in greenhouse gas emissions, cultural resources, hazardous materials and public facilities; mitigation measures were included in a mitigation monitoring program.
Applicant consultant Steve Fort and owner Laura Rose described the site history and argued the parcel is not viable for long‑term intensive agriculture, is nonconforming under AG‑1 minimum parcel size and is surrounded by residential lots. Fort said the parcel is mapped as urban/built up land in county GIS and that Coastal Commission staff had been consulted during project preparation. The applicant and staff both said rezoning would create a logical and contiguous residential boundary and that future development (if any) would be subject to applicable plan policies and permit requirements.
Commissioners replied that the change aligns with local conditions and historical parcel evolution, and several commissioners cited personal or professional familiarity with local orchid operations in support. Chair Reed moved and Commissioner Ford seconded the staff recommendations to forward the GPA/RZN and MND to the Board of Supervisors; the roll call was unanimous and the commission recommended approval to the Board.
The Board of Supervisors will consider the rezoning and adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration at a future date; the staff record notes mitigation measures for GHG, cultural resources, hazardous materials and public facilities that the Board will review as part of its action.
