The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission sided with opponents of a Carpinteria cannabis farm over concerns about odors coming from the location.

On Wednesday, the commissioners unanimously voted to require Island Breeze Farms to investigate new equipment to deal with the smell of cannabis and chemicals that neighbors have reported in the area.

The meeting was held to consider a project appeal from neighbors and Las Canchas Homeowners’ Association which represents Polo Field Condos.

County staff recommended that commissioners deny the appeal and uphold project approval to allow Island Breeze to move forward with its business at 3376 Foothill Road.

Instead, commissioners seemed sympathetic to odor concerns and acknowledged that this is far from the first time they have heard complaints regarding cannabis.

“I joined the Planning Commission — I think it was in the beginning of 2018 — and my first day of the job was the cannabis ordinance, which we swallowed in one gulp,” Commissioner John Parke of the Third District said. “Big mistake. We should have taken more time.”

He said they have heard for years from people that carbon scrubbers would help mitigate odors from cannabis farms — and requiring them was one of the main requests of project opponents.

Parke then stated that he would not vote to move forward with any cannabis farm plans that do not include carbon scrubbers.

By the end of the discussion, commissioners asked Island Breeze operators to come back with an odor abatement plan that includes carbon scrubbers. The project is scheduled to be heard again on Oct. 2.

Jim Mannoia, the president of the Board of Directors for the Polo Field Condos, was pleasantly surprised by the commission’s decisions and appreciated that the members made a tough choice.

“We were kind of discouraged because in the past, I don’t think any appeals have been upheld,” Mannoia told Noozhawk.

“And so, when we saw that the commissioners were hearing us and recognizing that the standard for appropriate odor control has changed in the last three, four years, we really thought that was a remarkable victory.”

24-Hour Operations at the Santa Ynez YMCA

The Planning Commission also heard an appeal to challenge the Channel Islands YMCA’s proposal to open 24 hours a day at the Santa Ynez location. Members delayed a decision but asked the organization to change its proposal and come back.

The appeal was filed by neighbors who live near the gym, including Frank Betts.

Supported by a small group of three people in person and more calling in to the meeting, Betts presented a slideshow sharing his experiences living next to the gym. He objected to bright lights, the volume of people attending classes, and overnight cleaning crews.

The YMCA was represented by Jennifer Heinen-Stiffler, the chief operations officer.

In her comments, Heinen-Stiffler acknowledged that the YMCA shares a fence line with Betts and another neighbor, but stated that the gym has addressed complaints.

Heinen-Stiffler stated that the YMCA held outdoor classes during the pandemic, when gyms were closed, but doesn’t plan to do so in the future.

She also said the overnight cleaning was for the pool and that the crew had left doors open, which staff addressed that night as soon as they were made aware.

The brightness of the lights was due to a broken timer that affected the schedule of the lamps, she added.

In her presentation, Heinen-Stiffler stated that 74% of the YMCA’s members are interested in the hour change and, as of last year, 31% of gyms across the country are open 24 hours a day.

“I can tell you this is a movement across the country for people who don’t want to work out during traditional 9-to-5 (or) 9-to-7 type hours. It offers a lot of convenience for work schedules,” Heinen-Stiffler said.

She continued by saying that other YMCA locations are currently running the same program successfully.

Commissioners shared concerns about the YMCA’s plan — primarily the fact that the gym will not be staffed overnight. Instead, members will sign a contract stating the rules for using the gym overnight and will be given a key fob to allow them in.

Additionally, the gym would be monitored by cameras that register members when they enter and match them to a photo taken by staff.

The gym would also have panic buttons installed around the room and personal buttons that members can pick up from the front desk and carry around with them. Additionally, there would be a phone for emergencies at the front desk.

In response to security and neighbor concerns, Parke suggested that the YMCA lock part of its parking lot until 7 a.m. every day; set up a line to monitor neighbor complaints any time of day; and set up a management plan to see how the overnight program was working.

Commissioner Roy Reed, from the Fourth District, said he would follow Parke’s lead since it was in his district.

“I would hope that after being neighbors for 17 years, we can get things worked out harmoniously for both the Y and their neighbor,” Reed said.

The representatives from the YMCA were open to the first two recommendations regarding locking the parking lot gate and the live response line. On the third issue, YMCA officials said they need time to consider how to implement or design the plan.

The commissioners voted to continue the item and consider it again on Aug. 28.

Betts was happy that the Planning Commission was open to neighbors’ objections and understood that the members could see the value in extending the gym hours. His main concern is whether the YMCA follows through with the new goals.

“I think the commission has kind of brought together some ideas that say, ‘We think there’s some positive aspect of what they’re wanting to do for the YMCA,’” Betts told Noozhawk. “And we don’t disagree with that.”

“But we need to make sure that it’s going to be done in a safe manner for the neighborhood and for the community that uses the facility.”