Locals Only? Haskell's Beach Scope Hearing

The Haskell's Beach condo project that The Bacara had tried to ram through the General Plan last year with 13 amendments is finally beginning to hear input from the public (Noozhawk). A scoping hearing last Thursday brought this interesting comment from Michael Lunsford from the Gaviota Coast Conservancy on The Bacara's request for changes to the General Plan:

“The question is, ‘Would this kind of treatment be given to me or any other homeowner in the city of Goleta?’” he asked. “It’s been my experience that you don’t get past the planning desk until you’re consistent. And yet, in this case, we have a massive change.

“I’m afraid that what you’re doing is setting yourself up for a constitutional issue of equal treatment,” he said. “The rooms that are being anticipated are larger than my remodeled house. I suspect that is consistent with most people who live in Goleta.”

Interesting argument as there has been some question in the past as to the more typical beach public access approach (taken by others in the hearing I am sure). Now that the massive changes The Bacara proposed are public -- at least the plan can take public input. Members of the public who missed the scope hearing may submit written comments to Goleta City Hall until 5:30 p.m. April 16.