Board denies appeals of as-built San Ysidro Creek wall after staff and flood-control reviews

Santa Barbara — The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 24 denied appeals challenging an as-built repair to an historic sandstone boulder wall in San Ysidro Creek (Montecito area) and granted de novo approval of the coastal development permit.

Planning staff summarized the record: the wall (in place since at least 1954) was damaged in the Jan. 2018 Montecito debris flows and subsequently repaired. The applicant submitted technical analysis by a licensed engineer — including a no‑rise certification — and the project was reviewed by county Flood Control, the Army Corps of Engineers and other resource agencies. Flood Control told the board staff that, based on the submitted materials and a like‑for‑like repair standard, the reconstructed wall does not increase water-surface elevations or alter preexisting flood conveyance in the FEMA floodway.

An appellant, Carlos Araya, argued that the wall’s geometry at a sharp bend deflects flows toward the east bank and causes erosion downstream (including near the Ennisbrook Preserve), and requested more comprehensive 2‑D hydraulic modeling of velocity and shear. Araya said available materials showed erosion at adjacent banks and that the record lacked definitive data about redirected flow. Staff and flood‑control representatives said the record contains the standard technical demonstrations used for emergency repair work and that county and federal reviewers found no evidence the repair increased flood risk.

Applicant representatives said the repair was "like‑for‑like," used original boulders and hand grouting methods, and that the work occurred during widespread post‑debris‑flow cleanup. The Montecito Planning Commission had unanimously approved the permit in September; the board heard parties’ arguments, denied a continuance request and then denied the appeals, adopting staff findings.

Board action and rationale: the board concluded the administrative record and peer reviews supported staff’s finding that the repair did not increase flood elevations or conveyance impacts; the appeals were denied by unanimous vote.

What happens next: The permit is approved; staff suggested neighborhood coordination and longer-term creek-maintenance discussions as separate efforts to address localized erosion or bank stability.