Planning Commission - County of Santa Barbara - 11/04/26

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission held a workshop on November 4, 2026, on the Recreation Master Plan and proposed Recreation Benefit Project Program (RBP). Staff described the RBP as a proposed public-private partnership: eligible private developments could be paired with a substantial public recreation contribution, such as a trail or park. Draft rules would identify eligible uses and project standards, with land-use permit review and requirements for public access and long-term maintenance. The county’s planning projections estimate needs through 2050 of about 254 additional park acres and 140 miles of trails; the plan includes 27 proposed parks, 216 acres, and 74 miles of trails, with an estimated cost of $230 million. The program and related ordinance amendments were still under development and were scheduled to return to the Commission on December 2 for a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; no contract award, purchase, or procurement allocation was made at this meeting.

Public commenters discussed agricultural compatibility and buffers, project size limits, environmental review, Williamson Act restrictions, flexibility for applicants, and permanent trail access and maintenance. Commissioners asked staff to continue engagement with agricultural and trails advisory groups and to consider further feedback on project limits and the review process. The Commission unanimously approved the consent item determining that a right-of-way easement conforms with the county’s comprehensive plan, and unanimously approved receiving and filing the workshop report with a CEQA finding. The proposed RBP could create future development opportunities, but it was not adopted at this meeting.