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Planning commission approves coastal permit for Goleta West force‑main repairs at 500 James Fowler Road
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a coastal development permit and an emergency‑repair exemption for force‑main work tied to Goleta West Sanitary District at 500 James Fowler Road, after staff and the applicant described corroded lines and removal/replacement plans; the action is appealable for 10 days.
The Santa Barbara City Planning Commission on July 9 approved a coastal development permit and a CEQA exemption for emergency repairs related to force‑main infrastructure owned by the Goleta West Sanitary District at 500 James Fowler Road.
Airport planner Jessica Metzger presented the coastal permit request, explaining the permit locations and the background from previous spill response and a force‑main conditions assessment. Metzger said the February 2024 spill prompted an accelerated assessment that identified corrosion and the need to replace or rehabilitate components, including air release valves and force‑main segments that cross city and coastal commission jurisdiction.
Joey Hilliard, general manager for Goleta West Sanitary District, told the commission the district’s January force‑main assessment showed corrosive soils and lack of cathodic protection have caused corrosion and that "another failure is expected within the next 5 years." Hilliard said the district has engaged engineers, formed an ad hoc committee to evaluate rehabilitation, replacement and realignment options, and is narrowing feasible alternatives while coordinating with jurisdictional stakeholders.
Commissioners asked for clarifications about which lines would be replaced and timelines. The district and staff said options are being evaluated and that preliminary determinations favor replacing both parallel force mains rather than rehabbing just one, given the difficulty of cathodic protection and the risk of repeated failures. Commissioners also encouraged continued conversations about realignment to reduce risk to the Goleta Slough’s sensitive habitat.
After deliberation a motion to approve the coastal development permit and the CEQA exemption for emergency repairs was moved and seconded. The clerk conducted a roll‑call vote; Commissioners Wardlow, Barnwell, Bauchi, Peterson, Vice Chair DeLucio and Chair Boss voted yes and the motion passed unanimously. Staff noted the action is appealable for 10 calendar days.
The district said financing and implementation options are being explored; the transcript records that the district will evaluate financing and re‑prioritize capital spending as needed. No public speakers were recorded for this item at the hearing.
The permit record and the force‑main condition assessment will guide subsequent engineering and public outreach as the district refines replacement, rehabilitation and potential realignment options.
