23 November, 2005

Dear Supporters,

The Board of Supervisors Monday approved by a 5-0 vote the Preserve at San Marcos project with the Condition that calls for project phasing. This will allow the Meadows portion of the development (7 homes and 5 affordables) north of Cieneguitas Road to proceed while the Terrace on the West Mesa (8 mansions) will be discussed further to attempt to redesign that portion of the development.

Important conditions attached to the project approval worked out as follows:

. There will be no leash restrictions on dogs in the PCAs (Private Conservation Areas).

. Only native plant materials (transplants and seeds from the site or surrounding watersheds) will be used for planting in the PCAs.

. Monitoring of use conditions and biological performance of the PCAs and Lot 22 (north of Cocopah Rd.) will be funded by Santa Barbara Foothills LLC. (Bermant’s and Specialty Restaurants’ firm) in perpetuity.

. Qualified Chumash will be allowed (not required and not funded) to be on site to detect evidence of Native American sites that might be exposed during excavation.

. Extend the sphere of public review on architectural design of the homes to 300’ from the project to allow more neighbors to contribute input. Supervisor Susan Rose will form a small Working Group out of her office to prepare a Master Plan for the Park and to resolve the details of other conditions including access to the Designated Remainder and the form and function of the Park. Who will comprise that working group is not known at this time.

We had expected this decision from the Board of Supervisors, which only slightly appeases our disappointment. SMFC will continue to partner with EDC and SWAP to evaluate our options and remaining opportunities. We are examining a number of alternatives, including strategies for a redesign that could result in saving bigger portions of the West Mesa.

The SMFC is still actively working towards the best outcome possible for the ecologically sensitive West Mesa area of the property. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering your time towards that end.

Finally, we are so grateful to all of you who supported this effort to protect the best of what remains of Santa Barbara’s foothills. Although we are disappointed with the Board of Supervisor’s decision on the project, it was a joyous effort and the right thing to do.

Board of Directors
SMFC





Hello Supporters of San Marcos Foothills
15 November, 2005

Today the hearing went as we expected. The Board of Supervisors seemed to indicate that they favor dialogue between Jeff Bermant and SMFC and SWAP/EDC. It is my hope and expectation that they will approve the phasing condition and allow the discussions to continue, although it is highly probable they will approve the project (= deny our appeal of the Planning Commission decision). The actual decision will be postponed until Monday afternoon.

The Board heard presentations from the County Staff, SMFC, EDC and SWAP, the Developer, a couple of consultants, and 1.25 hours of public testimony. But the Board needed time to absorb some of the information they received, and they did not ask their own questions of the parties present, and, therefore, they did not render a decision. On Monday afternoon they will resume where they left off today. The public is welcome to attend and we hope they do. However, the Board decided to not accept any further public testimony.

Thirty or so speakers gave input to the Board of Supervisors. The distribution was approx. eighteen in support of SMFC’s appeal or opposed to the project, the remainder supported Jeff Bermant’s project.

SMFC prepared a brochure to alert people to the hearing that we timed to arrive in mailboxes after the election, but before our hearing today. For reasons beyond our control, it did not get delivered on the expected schedule. The brochure still may come to you. If, after viewing the brochure, you feel like addressing the Supervisors, do so by e-mail before Monday. Here are their addresses:

SupervisorCarbajal@co.santa-barbara.ca.us,
srose@co.santa-barbara.ca.us,
bfirestone@co.santa-barbara.ca.us,
jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us,
jcenteno@co.santa-barbara.ca.us.

Ask that they strengthen the conditions as suggested by EDC and SMFC. Please copy us on your e-mail: jkummel@rain.org. Please also return to us the card from the brochure.

Thanks to those of you who showed up and spoke, and all of you who have helped us in the past. We are most grateful to EDC and SWAP for their efforts. Also, thanks to Marc Chytilo, Christina McGinnis, Michael McGinnis, Ellison Folk of Shute, Mihally, and Weinberger, a San Francisco law firm, and Wayne Ferren of Maser Consulting of New Jersey.

Sincerely,
Mark Holmgren, V-P
SMFC

Hello Supporters of the Preservation of SMF,

We are at the end of the four year process of resisting the most recent development proposal for SMF and we need your help. NOW!

On 15 November 2005, the County Board of Supervisors will hear an appeal of the 27 July 2005 County Planning Commission approval of the Preserve at San Marcos project. The Planning Commission also certified the EIR for the project. After that approval, SMFC, Small Wilderness Area Preserves, and the Environmental Defense Center jointly filed this appeal. We request your attendance at the Hearing and we request a letter to the Board of Supervisors stating your concerns. That letter is due at the County on 11 November. Unless you act now, all your and our work to protect this property since 1999 will have no meaning.

We are asking you to tell the Board of Supervisors that this project is too destructive, that it wastes one of Santa Barbara County’s most precious assets, that it poses serious risks to the safety of the nearby community, and it blights the view of the foothills for much of Goleta and Santa Barbara.

To prepare your letter and oral statement to the Board, we offer you a summary of the most important points you might wish to address.

Letter writers or those who wish to appear at meetings, please email or call Julie Kummel at jkummel@rain.org or 964-9444.  Julie will assist you with questions and send you a summary of the issues you may wish to address when you speak/write to the Board.

Your Support is Needed Now

We have heard from several decision makers that the public has not weighed in on this project. SMFC, EDC, and SWAP have carried much of the load so far. Now is the time when your input can make all of our work pay off.

Best Regards,
Mark Holmgren
San Marcos Foothills Coalition

Map of the Proposed Development: click on map to enlarge. This is the project that will likely be approved on 15 November unless you state your objections.