Residents urge supervisors to reject grouping of Carpinteria parcel as county advances coastal certification tied to housing rezones

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 27 heard sustained public opposition to a Carpinteria-area development as the board considered staff recommendations tied to Coastal Commission certification of housing-element rezones.

Multiple residents told the board the Bayler (also heard as “Bailer”) proposal should not be combined with adjacent parcels and said the City of Carpinteria previously denied the developer’s proposal. “El proyecto Bailer no debe ser rejuntado con los otros, las 2 parcelas en Carpintería. Son totalmente diferentes,” said Betty Jebsen during public comment, arguing the Carpinteria parcel lacks the exits, parking and infrastructure necessary for safe evacuation in a wildfire.

Planning staff described the county’s approach to meeting state housing obligations and explained that when developers meet objective state standards — for example a minimum number of units and a percentage of affordable housing — projects may proceed through a ministerial (by-right) approval pathway rather than through discretionary review. Director Palma told the board the county retains authority to require changes or deny a project if “hay algún problema de seguridad pública” (there is a public-safety problem).

Supervisors debated the tension between state-required objective standards and locally expressed safety and infrastructure concerns. Supervisor Nelson said staff will “requerir que el proyecto cambie algo o denegar el proyecto” if public-safety conditions warrant it. After discussion and staff responses to public safety questions, the board voted unanimously to advance the staff recommendations.

What happens next: Planning staff will proceed with the certification steps and any individual project that comes forward will be evaluated against county safety and fire-protection standards; the public record includes statements from Carpinteria officials and citizens opposing the proposal, which supervisors said staff should consider as projects return for separate approvals.

Quotes in context

“Hay una trampa…porque tiene una sola salida para todas las parcelas…Hay una falta de salidas en caso de incendios,” said a Carpinteria resident, summarizing local safety concerns.

“The county has a robust review process and if there is a public-safety problem, the county can require changes or deny the project,” Planning Director Palma said.

Ending

The board advanced the housing-element certification tied to Coastal Commission amendments after hearing resident objections; individual development applications will be subject to fire‑safety review and county standards before construction can proceed.