Environmentalists have worked for decades to stop development at Naples on the Gaviota Coast, but on Monday, the Santa Barbara County zoning administrator approved a coastal development permit for the site.
The project at Naples, which is west of Goleta, includes a 6,500-square-foot single-family residence, an 800-square-foot guest house, a 2,000-square-foot barn and a 1,000-square-foot garage.
The applicant, DMF Fund LLC, tried to go to the zoning administrator in May 2024, but the hearing was rescheduled after receiving hundreds of public comments in opposition, according to the county.
The project also includes 8.35 acres of deed restricted open space, 3.56 acres of deed restricted agriculture space for low-intensity agriculture use, and a trail easement.
For this project, the county is using an environmental impact report from 2008 for the Santa Barbara Ranch Project, which included 71 lots or homesites for development. The Board of Supervisors approved the project in 2008 but it was never built, and the county is relying on the same environmental impact report.
The project also includes the DMF Fund LLC Habitat Restoration Project, which would restore 0.49 acres of native grassland and 0.14 acres of wetlands habitat to resolve unpermitted disking, which is cultivation of a field with a harrow or plow to loosen soil.
The disking was done by a neighbor in 2019, according to the Santa Barbara County zoning administrator staff report.
During Monday’s hearing, numerous speakers raised issues with the fact that the environmental impact report was done 16 years ago for a larger-scale project, noting that there could be different impacts now.
During public comment, Santa Barbara County resident Susan Sturz asked the zoning administrator to deny the coastal development permit.
“This decision could set precedent for the approval of future projects that could drastically alter the landscape of the pristine Gaviota corridor,” Sturz said. “Can you think of any other areas with the same natural beauty along the coast in central and Southern California? It’s one of a kind now.”
Commenters were also concerned about how development would impact wildlife, such as white-tailed kites and California bumblebees.
Before Zoning Administrator Linda Liu approved the project, she said that no matter what she did, the decision would likely be appealed.
“Clearly, everyone is very passionate about this area, not just this site but this area in general,” Liu said.
Ana Citrin, legal and policy director for the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, said the group plans to appeal the decision. Once appealed, the project will go to the county Planning Commission for review.
“We’re disappointed in the decision,” Citrin said. “We think a lot of really strong points were made, including that the environmental review was not adequate and up to CEQA standards.”
Linda Krop, chief counsel with the Environmental Defense Center, said they also plan to appeal the decision.
“We believe that this project violates policies in the Gaviota Coast plan, and the applicant and county are relying on an approval of the Santa Barbara Ranch Project from 2008, which preceded the Gaviota Coast plan,” Krop said. “That plan applies to this development, and it requires protection of habitat areas that are used by the white-tailed kite.”
Krop also said the EDC believes the project won’t adequately restore from the illegal disking or protect the wetlands in the area.