An Activist CPC Grabs the Reins: Miramar & Cannabis

As we await our new D1 Supervisor Roy Lee, the County Planning Commission (CPC) has taken what some might argue is an activist approach to certain significant issues facing our County, including the Miramar Project and our Cannabis Ordinance. Allow me to explain:

The Montecito Planning Commission lost their oversight of the Miramar based on its affordable housing component. Against this backdrop, the CPC held a five-hour Special meeting on November 1, at which time they approved the project. Yes, there have been appeals and it’s my guess that the project will find its way onto the Supervisor calendar on December 10, well before Mr. Lee is sworn in. 

What was “different” about the meeting was the very active role our D3 Commissioner John Parke took in helping to craft a compromise between All Saints and Team Caruso. Mr. Parke jumped into the deep end, even going as far as publicly posting his cell phone number (now, that’s bravery) for stakeholders to use. He spoke fondly about the “magic spirit” of Montecito where he grew up, and the need to craft an imperfect (hence the appeals) solution which could, hopefully, lower the temperature of a very heated neighborhood conflict.

To that end, Mr. Caruso agreed to shave the second story from part of the Project, thereby preserving All Saints’ view. Now, some have questioned this type of active approach (and it is not without risk), but let’s never forget that CPC decisions are advisory. The Supervisors can ALWAYS overrule their quasi-judicial rulings. Spoiler Alert: This will likely not happen on December 10.

This month, the CPC also addressed P&D’s heavy-handed push to amend the Cannabis Ordinance before Supervisor Das Williams leaves office. First placed on the calendar in September (we are talking breakneck speed) and then continued until November 6, the Commission did the right thing by continuing Cannabis until January 22 for its own Special meeting. Bravo!

D2 Commissioner Laura Bridely gave a nod to the dark ad hoc history of the ordinance and rightly spoke about “moving the needle on community outreach” – thank you! Commissioner Parke emphasized that this time around it was more important to do a “good job” rather than a speedy one. In the end, he recognized what thought leaders in this space know – finding a holistic Cannabis solution is complicated. Indeed, no single department has the wherewithal to do the redlining, drafting, or technical due diligence that will be required. That is to say, intellectual curiosity and outside
experts are required.

Again, Mr. Parke took an engaged approach and suggested a series of workshops which – IF facilitated/done correctly – could pave a path forward. In the end, our Commissioner C. Michael Cooney said it best: “After five years… the community (has the right to ask) what have we really done to make it better?” Unfortunately, I think we all know the answer to Mr. Cooney’s question.