The Planning Commission's recent hearing on the proposed 64,000-square-foot development, which could go as high as four stories, for downtown Santa Barbara (at East Anapamu and Garden) did not focus on water availability as a permitting criterion at the July 19 hearing. This is a lot like the ostrich putting its head in the sand rather than watching for impending danger.
Clearly, there is a case to be made that the project does not fit the neighborhood. Potentially adding more than 100 new residents along with the increased traffic are strong arguments against it. Projected rents, which could be more than $3,000 a month, would disqualify low- and even middle-income residents. And, there is the nightmare of having to stack cars on elevators to meet planning regulations. However, what should be the overriding issues for permitting new development, climate change and resulting drought, were not considered.
Climate change is a game changer. Drought is one of its characteristics. Santa Barbara has been living through climate-induced drought and on-and-off water restrictions for more than five years. In June, the state Drought Monitor upgraded our status to severe drought despite last winter's heavy rains. The last four years were the hottest ever recorded in Southern California, including in Santa Barbara; with 2017 being the hottest and driest ever. Multiple excessive heat watches have been issued for Santa Barbara County (and city) this summer including record-breaking triple digit temperatures, with climate scientists predicting drought as the "new normal" for our region.