Board approves Carpinteria restoration funding and advances General Plan cleanup package

On Feb. 3 the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a financing recommendation to support restoration and access improvements at the Carpinteria Reserve and heard a presentation on a broader General Plan and zoning ordinance clean-up package.

County staff said the Carpinteria funding is an $800,000 grant (structured as $200,000 annual installments) to accelerate habitat restoration, ADA access improvements, road work and planning/education in partnership with the City of Carpinteria. City partners and county staff described the project’s scope and confirmed the funding is consistent with previously earmarked open-space and cannabis-derived funds set aside for regional projects.

Planning staff then presented the 2025 ordinance-cleanup package, describing updates to ADU rules, architectural and landscaping standards, density-bonus implementation and Montecito-specific amendments. Staff noted minor corrections, clarifications to accessory structure rules, updated parking/parking-exemption language and recommended environmental review where required. The board moved recommended edits, including removing one ATU/ADU item, and adopted the motion unanimously to advance the package with the recommended changes.