The Goleta City Council on Tuesday approved adding a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot to extend the term of Measure G, an agriculture protection measure. If passed by voters, the measure would extend another 20 years upon its expiration in 2032. 

Measure G, also known as the Heritage Farmland Initiative, was approved by 71% of voters in 2012 and ensures that there must be a majority vote from registered voters to redesignate or change the intensity of use for agriculture parcels that are 10 or more acres within the city of Goleta.

“What Measure G does in practice is it puts us in a position where it funnels us and focuses us on areas where we can improve existing housing stock in areas that are underutilized, and puts housing on transportation corridors rather than putting housing on existing farmland, which we can’t replace,” Councilman James Kyriaco said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The City Council directed staff to prepare the ballot measure at the March 19 meeting, the same day the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors heard presentations from property owners and developers wanting to rezone property to build housing. It is part of the Housing Element Update process to meet state mandates for development.

However, Kyriaco said he doesn’t see Measure G as anti-housing or anti-commercial development, but as a way to ensure the right kind of housing and development. 

“There is a way of being for Measure G renewal that is also pro-housing and pro the right kind of housing,” Kyriaco said. “I really do believe that this is something that shows that we’re living our values and still allows us to push forward into the future in a way that is responsible and makes sense for our community.”

When voters approved Measure G in 2012, the city said it would apply to only six parcels. The largest was Bishop Ranch, the site of a now-abandoned housing and commercial development project that prompted community backlash. It also could apply to about 120 county parcels within the city planning area, officials said at the time.

Councilman Stuart Kasdin said the measure extending Measure G would ensure smart planning into the city’s future and that it would protect the city from development that residents don’t want.

“A lot of what happened in this past (Housing Element Update) cycle because of state mandates reflected things that we don’t believe,” Kasdin said. “Measure G is going to help us control our future, control our destiny, and enable us to accomplish the type of development and the type of city that we believe in. I think that’s really valuable.”

Councilwoman Luz Reyes-Martín said extending Measure G would add guardrails for the city as more state housing mandates come down the road. 

“It’s very prudent to go back to the public to ask them if they’d like to extend it for 20 years, which is what we’re doing,” Reyes-Martín said. 

Councilman Kyle Richards said he wants to keep Goleta’s farmland, and not over-commercialize or develop local agricultural land. 

“I’m very motivated to protect what farmland we have left,” Richards said. “It’s so important for the character of our city, for the health and well-being of our community.

“It’s so important that we do what we can to preserve what we have before it’s gone.”

Goleta residents will be able to vote on extending Measure G in the election on Nov. 5.

Residents also will vote on candidates for Goleta’s mayor and two council seats. Richards’ and Kasdin’s current terms come to an end this election cycle.