S.B. City Creekside Development Standards
by Eddie Harris, Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council
The recommended standards address inappropriate land use within the buffer space that has harmed city creeks. Crafted in response to public concern about water quality and depletion of function within aquatic resources, the proposed standards are well intended and contain important elements that will lead to recovery over time. UCC recognizes that new development standards will require participation of motivated property owners to ensure successful rehabilitation of Mission Creek and other important coastal systems. The community’s expectation for restored creek function depends on partnership between creekside property owners and the larger community.
Among the issues that are being discussed in the UCC community forum:
We are working with community groups along Mission Creek and along Arroyo Burro Creek to better understand concerns, and to provide information as needed. We think that a balance between the needs of the community and the rights of creekside property owners is attainable, through dialogue and better understanding. Many of our supporters and members own property and live alongside city creeks. They are the source of knowledge and experience that will help others to come to grips with the issues that are raised in crafting of meaningful creekside development policies. The UCC forum on this important document is open to all city residents, and we welcome participation of all who have interest. Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Red Cross building, State St and Alamar.
UCC continues to be involved with important watershed issues across the south coast. We promote sound environmental planning, advocate for better creek protection, restore natural stream conditions, and assist with educational needs. We meet at the Red Cross building at State and Alamar at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Among the efforts, activities, and projects that we are currently involved with:
Master Planning of South Coast Watersheds: UCC is a strong advocate for comprehensive watershed master planning. We have advocated with the county and with the city of Santa Barbara for planning that evaluates each stream as a complete system, and then addresses needs through long term planning and implementation to repair, restore, and reconnect hydrologically where streams and aquatic systems have been damaged by urbanization.
Ellwood Acquisition: After years of effort to save the Ellwood shoreline and mesa from development, we’re happy to be part of the acquisition team that will permanently set the land aside as open space. The deadline for the 1st phase of the fundraising campaign is approaching. Please help spread the word and be sure to visit the Friends of the Ellwood Coast's website for more information and donation options: http://www.fotec.org
Red Cross Project: A demonstration of recovery elements for Mission Creek. The American Red Cross, as a member of the Mission Creek Restoration Partnership, has teamed up with UCC to restore the segment of Mission Creek that crosses the Red Cross property at State St. and Alamar. A conceptual design has been prepared, and funding is being sought for planning of the project. Among the objectives of the project: Enhancement of water quality, replacement of hard bank armament using biotechnical bank stabilization methods, increased flooding protection, restoration of riparia, and improvement of steelhead passage and shelter. This demonstration project could be a template for future stream restoration as opportunities arise at other sites along Mission Creek.
Sycamore Creek: We are asking that the city undertake a study of potentials for hydrologic reconnection of Sycamore Creek with the coastal lagoon and wetland now known as the Andre Clarke Bird Refuge. This analysis is requested as part of a watershed based planning approach to parallel the planning for Caltrans’ proposal to redesign and replace the bridge where highway 101 crosses Sycamore Creek. The study may result in significant recovery of hydrologic and biological function within an important coastal system.