Santa Barbara County Planning Commission honors Commissioner Michael Cooney with resolution

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission on April 29 adopted a resolution honoring Commissioner Michael Cooney as he marked his final meeting after 22 years of service.

Cooney, who said this would be his last meeting, received a formal reading of a resolution that praised his guidance on environmental review, land-use deliberations and mentorship of fellow commissioners. The commission and attending county officials applauded as staff read findings that highlighted Cooney’s long service and attention to process.

Planning Director said Cooney provided “incredibly steady leadership” and noted his commitment to civil, well-reasoned deliberations. Supervisor Roy Lee, who attended the hearing, thanked Cooney for his service across multiple supervisors’ administrations and said the Board of Supervisors plans a separate recognition.

Commissioners praised Cooney’s insistence on following the findings-based process. Commissioner Park called him “Professor Cooney” in tribute to his role teaching newer commissioners to focus on findings and fair process, and Commissioner Reed described Cooney’s demeanor as consistently civil and deliberative.

The commission presented a small gift and invited public acknowledgments; staff and several community members, including a staffer for U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal, offered recorded appreciation. The meeting then recessed briefly before proceeding to the day’s regular agenda.