After multiple meetings with hundreds of comments spanning several years, the Santa Maria Planning Commission approved proposed updates to the city’s blueprint for the future, sending the document to the City Council. 

The General Plan Update spells out key features for the city through 2045, including a proposal to annex nearly 1,000 acres into the city.

“We went through a long, arduous process, and I think we’re at the point we’re ready to move forward,” Planning Commission Chair Esau Blanco said.

The panel voted 3-0 on three items to recommend the City Council adopt the updated General Plan. Commissioners Tom Lopez and Yasameen Mohajer were absent.

“Yay. We did it. Good job, everybody. It warrants applause,” Blanco said as audience members celebrated the milestone. 

The Santa Maria City Council will consider approving the final document at the April 7 meeting, according to city staff.

“This marks the end of a long road — five to six years of effort,” Community Development Director Chenin Dow said, adding the final documents represent thousands of comments from hundreds of people including commissioners, developers, residents and others.

The document envisions adding 985 acres east of Highway 101 into the city for growth while spelling out future land uses, economic development and more to accommodate approximately 40,000 additional residents. 

Various elements focus on land use, circulation, conservation and open space, noise, safety, health and environmental justice, public facilities and services, and recreation and parks. Many of the aspects of a community general plan are guided by state regulations. 

Commissioner Tim Seifert it was time for the planning panel to move the document forward to the council for final approval.

“I don’t want to hamstring our community with onerous conditions that are going to just be prohibitive when we’re trying to move forward,” Seifert said.

“I just hope that we’ve done the best that we can to get everybody to agree that this is a decent document,” he added.

Commissioner Robert Dickerson said those involved in the plan worked to craft the best document of our time, much like earlier city leaders in prior efforts.

“I think the document is ready. It’s ready to move forward,” he said. 

Land-use planner Laurie Tamura from Urban Planning Concepts argued against the inclusion of an objective calling 5 acres of parks for every 1,000 residents as a standard, suggesting including the term “aspirational.”

The reality is the city has required 2.5 acres per 1,000 new residents, she said, urging commissioners to use a more realistic figure.

“That will reflect very importantly on developer fees, maintenance fees, acquisition fees, all those things that will impact future development and affordable housing,” Tamura said of the reduction.

Planning Division Manager Dana Eady said the City Council had adopted the standard of 5 acres per 1,000 new residents. 

“It does give the city something to aim for as far as providing additional parks within the city in the future, so we’re not recommending lowering that,” said Eady, who spearheaded the General Plan Update.

The policy has been in place for 35 years, planning staff added.

Planning commissioners had delayed their action from February to allow staff time to implement several changes including some recommended by members of the public.

The updated document follows a similar effort in 1993 that planned the annexation of 3,000 acres, spanning the growth from 65,000 to 110,000 residents.