The Santa Barbara City Council approved a plan Tuesday that outlines environmental guidelines for new housing projects.
The vote was 5-1 vote to approve an Program Environmental Impact Report. Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon voted in opposition.
“I’m hesitant to have an overarching, holistic EIR [Environmental Impact Report] that exempts things first and then goes back to projects,” Sneddon said.
She expressed concern for the “holistic, larger scale picture” of the City’s needs.
The Impact Report reviewed how implementing the City’s Housing Plan for the state’s 6th Cycle Housing Element may affect the environment.
This plan consists of 32 current and future housing programs that will create 8,001 housing units in the city by 2029.
Sneddon said the city has not yet seen studies regarding wastewater management and the potential needs for new fire stations.
The Impact Report made a city-wide analysis of potential environmental risks associated with the development of the City’s Housing Plan.
Some of these factors include transportation, cultural and tribal resources, greenhouse gas emissions and schools.
