Author: MMPC

Independent gets it wrong, but MMPC gets it right!

While the announcement of potential development was no surprise to any of us at the More Mesa Preservation Coalition, a recent article in the Independent (30 July 2015) , in response to a More Mesa Press release (here and here),  got it wrong. We have been tracking the possibility for development almost on a day-to-day basis for more than a year now. And while we did not know exactly when the owner of More Mesa would choose to announce the potential for development, we were expecting it.

We were also expecting the developer to take exception to restrictions which have been in place for More Mesa for decades, as well as to seek approval for a much larger development. Which they did as well; in an attempt to expand the development envelope in the Community Plan. Finally, while none of these moves by the developer was a surprise, the task ahead is daunting and we will need all the volunteer time and financial help our community can muster.

I will keep you posted.
Valerie

LATE BREAKING NEWS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT …

Well, the day we knew was coming, but wouldn’t welcome, has arrived.

On Tuesday, Kenneth E. Marshall, President of the development consulting firm Dudek, notified the Santa Barbara Planning Commission that he represented the Kalid Saud Al Shebaily Group (KSSG), the owners of More Mesa. He is joined by Jack Theimer and Kim Kimball.

The new group has sent their opening salvo in the form of objections to a number of the provisions in the updated Eastern Goleta Valley Plan. The centerpiece of their early effort is to raise the number of houses permitted to be built on More Mesa to more than the 70 that are currently allowed.

Mr. Marshall’s objections came just two days before this morning’s Planning Commission hearing to approve the plan. We were also there … as we have been throughout this entire nine year process. Dudek’s letter seems to be an initial feeler about development. We know there is probably much to come and we will keep you posted. We are assured by the Planning Department that no plans have been submitted and it is not clear whether or not any plans currently exist.

Look for further news in special alerts, monthly e-Updates and in the Monthly News on our web site.

Thanks for caring about More Mesa!

Lots of Special Birds

A wide area of More Mesa has been surveyed within the last few days. We are most happy to report that 34 different species were identified during this one survey. Among them were two raptors, a Peregrine Falcon and a Cooper’s Hawk. Also of very special interest were eight singing Grasshopper Sparrows and five Blue Grosbeaks. Moreover we are most pleased to relate that fledglings of these two species were observed as well!

We are indebted to Mark Holmgren for this extensive report, the details of which can be found at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23709737

And, they are still with us … a kite was reported hunting on the west side of More Mesa on May 31!

Locations of Grasshopper Sparrow and Blue Grosbeak sightings.

  
Grasshopper Sparrows

A Cautionary Tale

In our Monthly News for October of last year we talked about the distinct difference between the cliffs of More Mesa on the east side and those of the west side.  In that issue we emphasized the danger involved in the steep, unstable and unpredictable west side cliffs of More Mesa, those consisting of the Santa Barbara Formation. By way of contrast, we described the eastern cliffs, of Monterey Shale, as a very old clay formation that erodes slowly and has a gentler sloping grade. Soon after that October report we noticed a sizable rock fall … and this one was on the eastern side !

And just a few days ago, another slide (estimated to be 30 feet by 50 feet and about 4 feet high) came tumbling down from the eastern cliffs below Hope Ranch. The photographer who captured the image below (Glenn Avolio) estimated that the fall contained at least a million pounds of rock.

Moral of the Story:  While the western cliffs may be younger and more treacherous than the eastern cliffs, do not discount the eastern cliffs.  They are also extremely dangerous!