Updates from the MA
The MA sent out a reminder that with the recent rainfall – Montecito had between 2.66-3.22” of rain – that sprinklers can be turned off for a while in an effort to save water.
Also, Montecito Fire’s Neighborhood Chipping Program begins next week and will run through June 23. There is now an Interactive Neighborhood Chipping Map that can be visited at:
https://tinyurl.com/MontChipMap
Community members may schedule a complimentary Defensible Space Survey with a member of the Montecito Fire Prevention Bureau by calling 805-969-7762 or emailing preventionmail@montecitofire.com.
As a reminder, the Montecito Association monthly community meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 4 pm at the Montecito Community Hall. Agendas are posted in advance, along with a Zoom link for those who can’t join in person. Join the MA and community to hear updates from local partners, including Montecito Fire, the Sheriff’s Office, the Montecito Water and Sanitary districts, both school districts, and Roy Lee’s office.
Two Oil Wells to be RE-Abandoned
The California State Lands Commission and its consultant 2H California, will perform plug and abandonment work on newly discovered leaking Legacy Wells. Lookout Park parking lot will be closed for the workers starting February 23 through March 1, 2025.
The Wells are Well A and Well B, both are over 100 years old and are a source of minor ongoing oil seepage. The California State Lands Commission is working to stop the seepage and seal the wells completely. The project is expected to take five days, depending on weather and other data as it proceeds.
The Summerland Citizens Board of Directors – Phyllis Noble, Teri Guillies, Barbara McClain, Cathy Shelburne, and Dan Sturt, explain, “Summerland was the first location of oil drilling in California. The work to keep our beaches clean is ongoing between the poor technology used to cap Well Heads 100 years ago, natural seepage, and the Ortega Fault line in the area, contributing to the geological natural seepage and the movement of past abandoned wells. We are grateful for the regulatory and local efforts as we collaborate to remediate oil well seeps and remove ocean hazards.”
411: (916) 574-1992 or email: ExternalAffairsChief.Public@slc.ca.gov
Summerland C-1 Zoned Ordinance for Outdoor Retail Sales
The Summerland Citizen Association sent a press release to inform of the updates regarding outdoor retail sales in their C-1 zoned locations – aka, Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Sections 35-77A, 3 C-1 Limited Commercial Permitted Uses, last amended on 6.23.1998. That ordinance requires all retail sales to be conducted within an enclosed building, except for restaurants, cafés, and tea rooms.
There are multiple retail establishments which also have an outdoor sales area along the C-1 Zone – Lillie Road in Summerland – The Well, Sweet Wheel Farm & Flowers, Home Crush, etc. It has come to the attention of the SCA to request an update from the SBC Long Term Planning & Development and the Coastal Commission.
The County sent the updated ordinance language to SCA as follows:
1. Outdoor areas devoted to a retail use listed in Section 35-77A.3.1 and that are accessory to the retail operation shall occupy less than 50% of the net lot area.
2. Outdoor areas devoted to a retail use that are accessory to the retail operation shall not be used to calculate parking requirements but shall be configured so as not to interfere with on-site parking as required in Division 6, Parking Regulations.
Note: A Coastal Development Permit is still required for retail use.
You might also be interested in...
