Business & Development

What's happening

• Received and filed the Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program update.
• Determined the actions are exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).

Why it matters

The program can continue without additional environmental review, affecting street vendors and the community.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Commission voted 4‑0 to recommend approval of the Vesting Tract Map with revised conditions.
• A 10‑day appeal period is provided after the recommendation.
• A fee must be paid for the hearing continuation.

Why it matters

The project subdivides 153.33 acres into nine parcels, creating new lots and a private water system, affecting land use, water infrastructure, and local agriculture.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission voted 5-0 to continue the item to a hearing on December 9, 2026.
• The project proposes a 68-foot-tall Tier 4(a) commercial telecommunications facility on a 10-acre parcel at 1626 Calzada Avenue, Santa Ynez.

Why it matters

The recommendation will determine whether the facility proceeds, affecting the visual landscape and future service options for nearby residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission approved a lot line adjustment that reconfigures two parcels (602.42 acres and 34.34 acres) into two new parcels of 524.1 acres and 112.66 acres.
• The project is exempt from CEQA review.

Why it matters

Changing the lot lines alters property boundaries, influencing future land use and development potential.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission approved the tentative parcel map that divides a 9.67-acre parcel into four residential lots.
• The approval includes adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a mitigation monitoring program.

Why it matters

The map creates new residential lots, opening the area for future housing development.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission approved a development plan for a 45,000-gsf enclosed equestrian arena and conditional use for small-scale events, with revised conditions of approval.
• The approval also adopts a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a mitigation monitoring program.

Why it matters

The arena will introduce a large event space that may affect traffic, noise, and local economic activity.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board authorized the Community Services Department Director to issue an RFP and enter into a contract up to $150,000.00 for a Film Commissioner to develop a filmmaking facilitation framework for October 1 2026 through March 1 2027.
• The action was found not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

Helps attract film productions, supporting the local economy and tourism.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted the Best Value Construction Contracting Policy for projects exceeding $1,000,000 and annual job order contracts up to $3,000,000.
• The Board determined the policy is not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

The new policy changes how the county contracts large construction projects, potentially influencing costs and timelines.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board adopted the required findings and approved the rezoning ordinance changing Assessor Parcel Number 143‑254‑002 from Retail Commercial (C‑2) to General Commercial (C‑3).
• The rezoning was found consistent with the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan and exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

The rezoning allows broader commercial uses, impacting local businesses and development.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Planning Commission approved the Maria Asphalt Refinery Development Plan, Permit No. 95-DP-001, with a 5‑0 vote.
• The project is exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).
• There is a 10‑day appeal period and no hearing fee is required.

Why it matters

The approval permits a change of owner, operator, and guarantor for the refinery, helping preserve local industrial jobs and economic activity.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement, authorizing up to $88,000.00 from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
• The Board approved Budget Revision BJE No. 0011111 for $88,000.00 to increase revenue and expenditures for the County Health Department’s FY 2026‑2027 budget.
• The Board determined the actions do not constitute a CEQA project.

Why it matters

It secures up to $88,000 for hospitalist and outpatient services and updates the health department budget, supporting patient care and county health financing.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute a no‑cost MOU with VSP to provide free, on‑site vision screenings and comprehensive eye examinations to eligible community members in Santa Barbara County.
• The Board determined the action is not a CEQA project.

Why it matters

It creates a partnership to deliver free vision screenings and exams to eligible residents, improving eye‑health access.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved a lease agreement for T‑Mobile to continue operating its telecommunications facility at the southwest corner of Tucker’s Grove Park.
• The lease runs for five years starting Jan 1 2026 with an annual base rent of $43,200.00 and a 3% yearly increase, plus two optional five‑year extensions.

Why it matters

The lease secures continued cellular service for residents, generates rent revenue for the County, and requires no major expansion of the site.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted Ordinance No. 5289 amending Chapter 50 to have the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office handle site security plan reviews and live‑scan checks for cannabis businesses.
• The Board approved the CEQA determination that the change falls within the existing Cannabis Land Use Program and requires no new environmental review.

Why it matters

Shifting security review to the Sheriff’s Office could affect how cannabis operators obtain permits and ensure public safety.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute an Agreement for Professional Legal Services with Stradling Yocca Carlson and Rauth, a Professional Corporation, in the amount not-to-exceed $47,500.00.
• The actions were determined not to be a CEQA project.

Why it matters

Provides professional legal counsel to the county, supporting its operations and compliance.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified, and authorized the Chair to execute an Agreement with Elevate Service, Inc., with a not-to-exceed amount of $655,104.12, for a term ending no later than June 30, 2027.
• The actions were determined not to be a CEQA project.

Why it matters

Secures extensive legal services for the county over the next several years.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified and authorized the Chair to execute an Agreement for Special Counsel Services with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, with a not-to-exceed amount of $87,500.00.
• The actions were determined not to be a CEQA project.

Why it matters

Provides legal representation for the county, ensuring compliance and advice.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved authorizing the Chair to execute a mental health services contract with Casa Pacifica for a total maximum contract amount not to exceed $5,602,530.00 for FY 2026‑2028.
• Board delegated authority to the Behavioral Wellness Director to make immaterial changes, adjust services, staffing, goals, and other terms without further Board approval.
• Board determined the contract is not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The contract funds mental health services for children, youth, and families, directly impacting community health and using substantial public funds.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved authorizing the Chair to execute a ServiceNow SaaS subscription contract for a total maximum contract amount not to exceed $1,005,498.00 for FY 2026‑2029.
• Board approved authorizing the Chair to execute a ServiceNow Managed Services contract for a total maximum contract amount not to exceed $540,000.00 for FY 2026‑2029.
• Board delegated authority to make immaterial changes and confirmed the contracts are not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The contracts give the county a workflow platform and support services, affecting how county operations run and involving significant taxpayer spending.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission reviewed the Five‑Year Capital Improvement Program (2026‑2031) projects for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan under Government Code §§ 65401 and 65402.
• They found eight new projects conform under §65401 (with six lacking information) and five conform under §65402 (with one lacking information).

Why it matters

The findings determine which capital projects can move forward, shaping future infrastructure, services, and community development in the county.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission heard Granite Construction’s request for a vested‑rights determination for the Bee Rock Quarry at 1700 Hwy 154.
• Commission members voted 4‑0 to approve the request, noting a 10‑day appeal period and a required fee.

Why it matters

The decision determines whether the quarry can continue operating under existing rights, affecting local mining activity and the surrounding environment.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The commission approved the Conditional Use Permit and Land Use Permit for a Chick‑Fil‑A drive‑through at 4765 Calle Real in Eastern Goleta Valley.
• Approval includes revisions to the Conditions of Approval.
• A 10‑day appeal period and required fee were noted.

Why it matters

It allows a new fast‑food drive‑through to be built, affecting traffic, the local economy, and nearby residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved the Chair to sign a professional services agreement with Medical Doctors Associates dba Cross Country Locums for locum tenens coverage from July 1 2026 to June 30 2027, not exceeding $600,000.
• Board approved the Director of County Health to execute confirmation agreements for locum assignments.
• Board determined the actions are CEQA exempt.

Why it matters

Ensures continuity of medical services in county health facilities when physicians are unavailable.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and ratified a third amendment to the Voting System and Services Agreement, authorizing the Chair to execute the name change to Liberty Vote USA effective October 20, 2025.
• The Board found the amendment is exempt from CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

It updates the county’s voting system contract to reflect the vendor’s new name, ensuring continuity of election services.

Who is affected

How to act