November 2004

ByErik Olson

Hacienda Vieja Project

MORE MESA PRESERVATION COALITION FILES APPEAL:

As reported in last month’s news, the Planning Commission approved a redesigned Hacienda Vieja Project with two of the four houses having two-stories. Because of our avowed commitment to protect all of More Mesa, including impacts to it from the periphery, we felt it necessary to appeal this decision to the Board of Supervisors. As soon as we are informed as to the date this matter will come before the Board, we will let you know how you can help. Below are excerpts from our appeal.

The More Mesa Preservation Coalition (MMPC) regrets the necessity of appealing Planning Commission approval of the above referenced Hacienda Vieja development, but feels compelled to bring this matter to the Board of Supervisors. The community is extremely troubled about:

  • Apparent reversal of long term precedents concerning More Mesa
  • Impacts of the Hacienda Vieja project
  • Cumulative negative impacts of recent development approvals on More Mesa’s natural resources and scenic beauty.

The MMPC, and the community at large, are concerned that recent approvals do not respect and protect the unique resources of More Mesa and also depart from clear direction for project design set by several Planning Commissions and Boards over the last 15 years. In particular, MMPC, and we believe the community in general, are deeply distressed about the continued trend toward approval of large two story houses. These structures severely impact views from More Mesa’s trail system.

Although the MMPC appreciates the design changes directed by the Planning Commission for this project, we believe that the project, as approved, will still have severe negative impact on More Mesa. Specifically, it permits development that is inconsistent with the neighborhood, out of character with the natural surroundings and continues the negative cumulative trend toward large obtrusive two story structures. If this trend is continued, the natural beauty of this area will be forever marred.

To address these issues, we respectfully request that the Board direct the project developer to redesign the project as all one story units, and designed to blend into the natural environment and the surrounding community. This action would adhere to precedent very clearly laid down by County decision-makers over the last decade and a half.

Usage Survey
Many thanks to the dozens of people who have already completed our usage survey. We encourage all lovers of More Mesa to do the same. [The survey may be submitted on-line by visiting the home page of this web site, and clicking on the “Usage Survey” link.] Thanks again!

Similar Posts

  • June 2004

    ByErik Olson

    Concert For The Coast The Concert for the Coast, jointly sponsored by the Isla Vista Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Shoreline Preservation Fund, was held on 15 May in Isla Vista. The objective of this yearly event is to raise awareness of local issues. This year, preservation of More Mesa was highlighted, both…

  • April 2004

    ByErik Olson

    Restoration Event Our first restoration session in More Mesa County Park was held on the beautiful sunny morning of March 27th. Thirteen hearty volunteers showed up to hear Stephanie Langsdorf, of Growing Solutions, teach us the basics of the area’s ecosystem, and the particulars of natives and non-natives as well. Then, pitchforks and shovels in…

  • August 2004

    ByErik Olson

    Update on Hacienda Vieja Project Developer has been asked to modify the project: At a meeting of the Planning Commission on 28 July, the Planning Commission asked some extremely pertinent and important questions concerning the Hacienda Vieja project. After more than two hours of comment and deliberation, they voted to continue discussions on the project….

  • | |

    November 2017

    ByErik Olson

    Big Day for More Mesa – County Approves Coastal Commision Recommendations As reported in our last update, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) was extremely supportive of MMPC’s positions on preservation of More Mesa, and supplemented them with even stronger language than currently existed in the new Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan. At a meeting on November…

  • |

    October 2004

    ByErik Olson

    Third Update on Hacienda Vieja Project Project approved by the Planning Commission: Several modifications to the Hacienda Vieja Project were offered by the developer at the 6 October meeting of the Planning Commission. These included redesigning two of the houses to one story, and reducing elevations and size. Two other issues were introduced as well….

  • |

    July 2012

    ByErik Olson

    Change on our MMPC Web Site Note: As far as MMPC is aware, the sale of More Mesa to a Saudi developer in late 2012 seems to have marked an end to the attempts of the Hawk team to develop More Mesa.  Therefore all material related to this potential development has been removed from the MMPC…