Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay, good evening. Welcome to the meeting of the City of Goleta Planning Commission for September 14th, 2026. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Could we get a roll call of the Planning Commission, please? Yes, thank you.

Sorry about that. Commissioner Fullerton? Here. Commissioner Maynor? Here. Commissioner Penniman?

Here.

Vice Chair Sorotkin? Here. And Chair Miller?

Here. At this time, we will have the public forum for anyone who wants to comment on any non-agenda item. Do we have any speaker slips?

Thank you, Chair. I have not received any in-person public speaker slips for this non-agenda item. For any attendees on the Zoom webinar who wish to speak on this item, this non-agenda item, please use the raise hand icon and I will call upon you. Chair, I see one hand. Ronald Cortez. You, let's see, please unmute yourself. You will have three minutes.

Okay, perfect. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay, perfect. Hello. Well, thank you for allowing me this opportunity. So good evening, chair and commissioners. I'm Ron Cortez and I live at 5876 Via Fiori adjacent to Fairview Gardens. I filed a letter yesterday on case 25-001 in regarding to this case. I'm here to leave you with two sentences. So one, if it doesn't fit, it isn't exempt and prove it before you approve it. Who am I? I'm actually Ron Cortez, and I was at one time the deputy CEO for the county of Santa Barbara overseeing the planning and development department. I was also the UC vice chancellor CFO overseeing planning and construction and oversaw a billion and a half dollar medical center construction. And right now I'm in DC overseeing billions of dollars in construction. So I have lots of familiarity with planning, design and construction. So first of all, I would leave you with the map. If it doesn't fit, it isn't exempt. This exemption before you, when you see it, depends on one number, that it be less than five acres or as it is now 3.141 acres project site into the 12.23 acre farm. At your July 13th hearing, the city's outside CEQA council told you that events are all confined within that boundary. However, your staff report says parking is scattered throughout the site. Both cannot be right. The easy fix for this is to have a map, a boundary with every event and circulation route and the parking space drawn against it so that the public can see. If the boundary is sound, the map will show it. If it doesn't fit, it is an exempt. second is prove it before you approve it every event number in the application is a forecast attendance parking and noise nothing is demonstrated on july 13th start smaller but then move up my letter turns your words into conditions for you to consider a small First-year program documented actual results. Expansion only by future vote. Never automatically provides a permit. So prove it before you approve it. So I would say thank you for this opportunity. I have a detailed letter before you. And thank you for all that you do for the community. Thank you again. And this is Ron Cortez.

Thank you. Do we have any other hands raised on the Zoom webinar?

Thank you, Chair. I'm not seeing any other hands. OK.

Thank you. Let's move to, are there any amendments or adjustments to the agenda?

Madam Chair, we have no amendments or adjustments.

OK. We can now go to the administrative agenda. And could you please read the item into the record?

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. That is item A1, review and approval of the Planning Commission meeting minutes of August 24th, 2026.

And do we have any discussion? Do we have any public comments?

Thank you, Chair. I do not have any speaker slips. And for attendees on the Zoom webinar who wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand icon and I will call upon you. Chair, I'm seeing no hands.

OK. Do we have any discussion with the commissioners? Seeing none, can someone make a motion, please?

Make a motion. I'll make the motion that we review and approve the planning commission meeting minutes of August 24, 2026. I'll second.

OK. Can we get the roll call vote, please?

Yes, thank you, Commissioner. Okay, please lock in your votes. Commissioner Fullerton? Yes. Commissioner Maynard? Yes. Commissioner Penniman?

Yes.

Vice Chair Sorokin?

Yes.

And Chair Miller?

Yes. I was not here for the meeting, but I did watch the video, so I'm voting yes.

Thank you very much.

OK, we now go to the next item. And if you could please read that into the record.

Thank you, Chair. That is item B1, general plan conformity determination for the dedication of an easement to the Goleta Water District for construction, reconstruction, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal, and use of water mains and aperturances for a fire line in the Goleta Train Depot site, APN 073-050-033. Okay.

Do we have a staff presentation? Go ahead.

Hi. Good evening, Madam Chair and Planning Commission members. The item before you this evening is what we'd like to see as one of the final things that we need to be finishing up our project over at 27 South La Patera, better known as Aguita Train Station. This item becomes before you with concurrence from the Glita Water District. This is one of their requirements in order to provide water service to the facility for the fire lane. And then specifically for us to get our final project approvals and close out the project. There's exhibits in the attachments that show the legal description of where the easement is, and then I believe Director Imhoff did share with commissioners the probably more helpful exhibit showing the location of the easement and how it kind of interacts with the site. It gives you a better visual for how, ultimately, where it will be and what it will serve. And I'm happy to go through the staff report, which is pretty thorough. Sorry, my phone's going off. But basically, for us, this is... You know, one of the last steps, we did get the certification of the EIR, project approvals, construction contract, all those things have already taken place. And for us, this is really the last part. This is something that kind of came about during the construction, working with Glitterwater District. Oftentimes, you have as-built plans or you have... what you believe are plans that should be accurate and they turn out not to be as accurate as they once purported to be. So we've had some similar issues like this with the other utilities. This is different because this is where Glitter Water District is actually asking us to grant a dedication of the easement. That's a little bit different. That's why we have to call the Planning Commission for the 65402 finding. The attached resolution, I believe, contains all the legal jargon that we need to do that. Personally, this is... very exciting and this may be a small item on the agenda but for us we're looking at opening up the train station before the end of the year and we're excited this is going to help allow that to happen and I don't know if there's any specific questions I'm happy to try to address those I'm not a surveyor but I do know how to read plans here and there so I'll try to do my best

Okay. Do you have any questions from the commissioners?

Go ahead. I have one question, and I don't know how much it affects this at all. Sure. That I read, and again, you can confirm the accuracy, that originally there was going to be a cafe or some kind of a restaurant, and then it was downgraded, and now it's like machines. So it's a little bit of everything, the gamut. So does that affect the use of water?

So this is for the fire response portion of it. The actual entitlement of water that goes to the facility is more than enough to cover what's already been proposed and approved. We had to do that before we really got into the construction documents. The plan right now going forward is upon opening the station, there will be obviously restroom facilities, you know, charging stations, all the other stuff. But in terms of a concessionaire, we're going to have vending machines that are pretty tricked out, I would say. They're pretty not your typical ones. a vending cart as well. And then we're going to be putting out an RFP for an actual cafe operator. Those are the technical terms I like to use, tricked out. And so we're hoping to get a vendor. We're looking to release an RFP probably within the next eight to 12 months. We want to get some ridership information Now that the station is fully built out, we also want to be able to give any prospective bidders information on ridership and also additional plans for increase in ridership going forward. Right now would be a pretty big bet to think that, oh, it's going to be just dandy. We'd rather have a little bit of time to verify that and provide that information to potential bidders. But ultimately, at the end of the day, we do want to have a variation of products available to travelers. If they're in a rush, they can grab something from a vending machine. If they have a little bit of time, they might be able to grab a bite to eat. We're also looking at making this space in the long term more than just a train station. So there's been thought given to the different plaza areas to hold events there, to hold things like ideas that have been thrown out, or like a farmer's market, where you could have a larger space. And could accommodate with the parking down there as well. So there's a lot. This is our first ground up building. It's on a roughly two and a half acre site. So there's quite a bit of space out there. But the biggest important thing is, you know, if we're going to be a train station, we need to be a train station first and then be able to serve the visitors that are coming, our residents who use it. the university, folks at the airport, everybody else. We want that to happen and have it function well. And then the other part is rounding out all the amenities that people come to expect and want to see in that area. So the one thing that's unique about that part of the city is there's not really anything down there that unless you're going there, you're probably just going there for the train. So it's not like there's retail and other kind of uses that would tend to attract people. So we have to make sure that we're aware of that. And so part of that is the security systems and all the other things that go along with that to make it an inviting place. But we're excited. I think it's going to be a unique asset for the city.

Thank you.

Sure.

Commissioner Penniman.

Yeah, I think you answered my question about why is this so late in the game, this approval, but I think you answered that and I appreciate the extra diagram showing where that is, the relationship. Looks like it's all in the parking lot. Really wouldn't disturb anything if they have to cut through. Do you have any concerns with the easement?

No. I mean, for the most part, we've been working with the Gloucester Water District since 2018. So we've seen multiple iterations. Some of their preferences, some of their standards have changed over time. But roughly, we always make sure that the building itself WAS MORE OF ITS OWN SELF-CONTAINED UNIT. YOU'RE GOING TO NEED UTILITY SERVICE FROM EDISON, FROM FRONTIER, WHOEVER. THE OTHER BIG ONE WAS BECAUSE OF THE RESTAURANT USE AND FOR THE RESTROOMS, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING WELL IN TERMS OF WATER AVAILABILITY AND WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE IT AS WELL AS THE SANITARY DISTRICT FOR WASTEWATER. SO THE EASEMENTS THAT EXIST FOR THOSE ARE FINE. WE DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE ANY OF THOSE, BUT THIS ONE WAS UNIQUE because we did have to fix it in the field.

No worries. No worries. And who's on the hook if they do need to dig it up and maintain that infrastructure? Would they put it back, or would it be up to the city to put it back?

So when they intercede and use, there's conditions on how they have to leave the site after they access our easement, right? So it's our property, but we're giving them the allowance to go in there and make changes. So it would be like anywhere else in the city where we have easements with utilities. There's a certain threshold and level they have to put them back at. That doesn't mean they have to redo the entire street for, you know, half a mile in each way. But they do have to fix, not only fix whatever it is that they're doing underneath the ground, but put the ground back at a level that our inspectors believe are appropriate for the size of intervention that they're doing. Makes sense. Thank you.

Anybody else? Yeah, I have a question related to that. So city owns the property. They're going to have an easement for... Really, just for in terms of if there's a fire. Is that correct? I mean, or to access the water for fire safety or for everything?

So there's two different lines. There's a water line for fire, the fire safety and fire apparatus line. And then there's another water line, which is kind of I would call the general water line that goes to the facility. And that would be the one that most people would put an emphasis on because that's what's going to serve the facility and everything inside of it. So this is I would equate this as to like this is where it's going to go to, you know, if they need to access it from the street and get more water out. That's how I would look at it. And it's not to serve the entire facility as a self-contained unit.

Okay. So will there be a fire hydrant on top of that?

I believe so.

That area?

There will be one in that proximity. I don't know exactly where it's at on the easement, but it's required to be able to serve that.

Yeah, so it'll be something that's visible to folks.

Yeah, we'll have utility boxes lined up. And I apologize, I don't have them all detailed out in my head. But part of that is to be able to access them from the street. And then also when the utilities themselves need to come up on our site, they have the ability to access them from our site as well. And that's why it's coming onto our property, because the line comes off the main road.

So is this just a written contractual agreement easement, or was there any money changing hands for this easement? Was there any consideration given in monetary funds?

Yeah, they didn't pay us to have access to this easement. We actually paid them to put the water line in because they have to have their own contractors do it. So I would say that would be an exchange, but not in terms of the easement itself. That was for doing the construction.

OK. I'm just trying to get a handle on, you know, For the public to understand why it's necessary and just not something that's adding to the cost of the train station and that sort of thing.

I would make this analogous. So when you purchase a home, there's easements there, too. And there's certain distances that they go up to. But you're allowing them to do that. And that's their infrastructure up to a certain point. And after that, it's on you. So I would make it very similar here.

It's similar then. OK. OK, great. Thank you. And do we have any public comment on this item?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have not received any public speaking slips. And for attendees on the Zoom webinar who wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand icon, and I will call upon you. Madam Chair, I don't see any hands.

Thank you. Okay, so we can go into deliberations now. Who would like to begin? Anybody?

oh it didn't show up um i'll jump in um congratulations on a beautiful project this is something that i think is so valuable for the city and something we worked for for so many years as the city and to see it come together actually just drove by there the other day to drop a colleague off at the train and it's so exciting to see the building even at the stage that it is now so close to construction so thank you for all your hard work on this um the proposal that is before us tonight seems incredibly straightforward and commonsensical so i'm excited to support your proposal thank you okay anybody else want to comment okay do we have a motion to approve the resolution

Oh, I would like to close public comment. Thank you very much, Commissioner Fullerton, for that reminder. So we can now go on with our deliberations, or we can look for a motion.

I'll make a motion. make a motion to adopt resolution 26 dash entitled a resolution of the planning commission of the city of galita california reporting that the dedication by the city of an easement to the galita water district through the galita train depot site apn073050 is in conformance with the Goleta General Plan Coastal Land Use Plan pursuant to Section 65402 of the Government Code and finding no further environmental review is required pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, Attachment 1.

I'll second the motion.

Thank you. Could we get a roll call vote, please?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Fullerton? Yes. Commissioner Maynard? Yes. Commissioner Penerman?

Yes.

Vice Chair Srodkin? Yes. And Chair Miller?

Yes. Okay. There we have it. A vote. Planning Director's comments. Thank you.

Mr. Tim Hall. Thank you. Good evening, Chair and Commissioners. I just have a few items to bring to your attention, announcements. First, beginning this Saturday, September 19th, through the following Saturday on the 26th, is Creek Week in the City of Goleta. And throughout the week, there are activities in Goleta for all ages to connect with, learn about, and care for our local waterways. From art and cleanups to a guided tour, there's something for everyone. So let's come together to celebrate and protect the creeks, watersheds, and ocean that make Goleta such a special place. And this Saturday on the 19th from 9 until noon that week begins with Coastal Cleanup Day at the Elwood Bluffs and Beach, at Haskell's Beach, at Lake Los Carneros, and at Devereux Creek. There is more information on the website where you can register or just show up at those locations to participate. And then the following weekend, the 26th and 27th, is the Goleta Lemon Festival. And we encourage everyone, members of the community, to attend and enjoy the festival that is defining for our city. I also wanted to alert the Commission that two projects that you recently acted on have been appealed to the Council, the first being Anthem Church and the second being 7360 Hollister. So those will be scheduled with the Council on appeal in due course. And the only other thing I have to share is that our next meeting will be September 28th. We will have at least one item that evening at this point in time. And that concludes my report.

OK, thank you, Director Imhoff. Do we have any comments by any of the planning commissioners? Any final comments from anyone?

I have one comment. Go ahead. Staying with the Creek Week theme, my neighborhood, the Old Town Goleta, is organizing a Creek Walk of San Jose Creek on September 24th from 3 to 5 p.m. And we're meeting at Joni D. Wallace Park. And that'll be co-organized by the Environmental Defense Center, the UCSB Sustainability Internships and Community Resources Office. We also have a speaker from the City of Goleta and also from the County Flood Control District. And we'll just be talking about all the great stuff that's happening at San Jose Creek.

Excellent. Thank you.

Anybody else?

Okay. Can we get a motion to adjourn the meeting? I'll second.

Okay.

Roll call vote, please.

Thank you, Chair.

Okay.

Commissioner Fullerton? Yes. Commissioner Maynor? Yes. Commissioner Penniman?

Yes.

Vice Chair Sharotkin? Yes. And Chair Miller?

Yes. Thank you. Thank you.