The Gaviota Coast Conservancy and developers for the El Capitan Canyon Campground expansion project are jointly requesting to postpone the upcoming hearing with the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission and instead have said they plan to work together to address concerns.
The Gaviota Coast Conservancy appealed the expansion project approved by the county’s Central Board of Architecture Review in September 2023.
The appeal hearing was set for Feb. 28, but the applicant, Cima Del Mundo LLC, asked for the hearing to be postponed to review letters about the project from the public and former owner Roger Himovitz.
Now, the two groups are jointly asking the Planning Commission to postpone the hearing so that they can collaborate on a solution.
“The parties have come a long way over many years,” said Doug Kern, executive director of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy. “I want to preserve this moment as much as we can to keep the space open so that we can have these safe conversations and really make progress for the good of everybody.”
In the campground’s application to the Central Board of Architecture Review, it requested to relocate 39 campsites, which included 22 RV cabins and 17 yurts. It also applied to build new support buildings for the campsite.
Kern said he’s concerned over potential impacts from the development because of its proximity to Highway 101 and what it could mean for future development on the Gaviota Coast.
“It’s very close to the freeway. There could be night lighting issues; there could be any number of impacts,” Kern said. “Once you start down that road where somebody is allowed to do something, then maybe there’s a domino effect and then you’ve developed the coast. You can’t take that back.”
Kern said the Gaviota Coast Conservancy is concerned about preserving the area, increased lighting and traffic, and enhancing public access.
Beth Collins, a lawyer for El Capitan Canyon Campground, declined to comment about this decision.
The Gaviota Coast Conservancy said the hearing is expected to be deferred to July 10.
