When the Goleta Planning Commission met to consider the rezoning of 11 properties on November 15, public comment abounded. Neighbors of various properties on the list expressed concerns and one comment of support, and the voices of property owners were heard as well.
The meeting was continued from one on November 13, at which too few commissioners were present. At this one, Commission Chair Jennifer Smith had to recuse herself due to a conflict discovered too late to separate the property during the hearing. A conflict for Vice Chair Katie Maynard was already identified for the Kellogg Way properties, and they were separated from the general discussion to allow Maynard to participate in the rest of the session. In her recusal statement, Maynard said that her recusal was related to the proximity of her home to the site.
Nearly all the parcels, which are mostly being rezoned to hold high-density apartments, were targeted in comments from the public. The Kellogg Way lots currently hold outdoor storage, and James Rolfe, whose dental practice includes assistance to Afghanistan, told the commissioners that losing the storage place for large trailers, such as his, would force many renters to relocate. Such properties were scarce, he added. “You’ll just be changing one problem for another,” Rolfe said.