The county Board of Supervisors will hold a workshop on Potential Rezone Sites for the County’s Housing Element, 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 in the Planning Commission Hearing Room, 105 E. Anacapa St., Santa Barbara.

The event will be streamed live. Watch the workshop and participate virtually here. Public comment is encouraged.

Owners and agents for some of the potential rezone sites will present the board with their visions for the development of housing and community amenities on their sites. The board will not take any action on this date.

Also on March 19, the County will release the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the 2023-31 Housing Element Update (HEU).

The Final Program EIR analyzes the potential impacts associated with the implementation of the HEU’s goals, policies and programs, including the potential rezone program.

The county received more than 100 comments via email and during public hearings. The final document, comments received, and the county’s responses will be available on the County Planning and Development website after March 19.

County Planning Commission hearings on the proposed rezones to comply with State Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) are scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at the Santa Maria Betteravia Center, and Monday, April 1 at the Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 E. Anacapa St., Santa Barbara.

The Planning Commission will make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Board hearings on the proposed rezones are expected in late April or early May.

County Planning and Development also has a new video introducing its Balancing Act tool.

“The tool puts the public in the decision-makers’ seat,” said Lisa Plowman, county planning and development director. “The user reviews potential rezone sites and then selects sites until they have a plan that complies with State requirements. Then they can share their results.

“Staff will be sharing the results of plans submitted before March 20, 2024, with the Planning Commission at their rezone hearing on March 27, 2024.”

Visit the Planning and Development website to try the Balancing Act simulation or view the video.