The city of Santa Barbara has released a Draft Creek Buffer Ordinance and invites the public to an open house to learn more and provide feedback, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Santa Barbara Public Library Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St.

City staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the proposed measures in detail.

Creek buffers are natural areas between creeks and development, essential for reducing public safety risks related to erosion and flooding while enhancing water quality and creek habitats.

Establishing creek buffers or setbacks is required by the city’s General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Currently, requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis, often resulting in prolonged application reviews, costly analyses, and inconsistent outcomes.

“Creek buffers play a critical role in reducing the impacts of flooding in our community and protecting the natural beauty and function of our creeks,” said Melissa Hetrick, Resilience Program supervisor.

“The goal of the Creek Buffer Ordinance is to provide clear, objective standards that can be consistently applied throughout the city and take the guesswork out of permitting,” she said.