August Paint Out Haskell's Beach 8301 Hollister Ave, Goleta CA 93117 Saturday August 10,   9 - 12

Haskell’s  Beach is at the south end of the Bacara Hotel at the outlet of Tecolote Creek.  There is a public access and parking area for the public.  At high tide the beach is narrow but lower tides allow walking long distances to the south past Sandpiper Golf Course and north to Naples Point.  The tide on the 10th will be low at 7 AM and High at 2 PM.  If you want an extended walk and exploration then come early but the beach will accommodate all of us for the morning.

Directions:  To get to Haskell's Beach, exit the 101 at Winchester Canyon Road and continue straight to a stop sign at Cathedral Oaks Rd.  Turn left crossing over the 101 toward the ocean. Turn right at the next stop onto  Hollister and head towards the Bacara Resort. Look for signs indicating beach access. Park in the tennis court facility for the Bacara and follow the paths to the beach.

Dear Myla,

Right now, Santa Barbara County is poised to approve the first of what could be 71 large, fenced estates at Naples on the Gaviota Coast, just west of Goleta. Approval would set a precedent for development of the whole Gaviota Coast. Naples is the crown jewel of the Gaviota Coast, one of Southern California’s largest remaining continues stretches of undeveloped rural coastline with significant ecological importance. Please join the Environmental Defense Center and Surfrider Foundation to help ensure this project does not move forward. Attend the hearing (in person or virtually) on August 5th to lend your voice, or submit comments today. 

The County planners have released a report claiming developing a 6,500 square foot estate with a 2,000 square foot barn, guest house, driveway, and three septic leach fields on Lot 66 of  the undeveloped Naples bluff will not significantly impact the environment.

However, the proposed development site is home to as many as fifteen rare wildlife species, including white-tailed kites – a state designated Fully Protected Species - which forage on the project site. These species and their habitats are protected by the Gaviota Coast Plan.

Please join EDC and Surfrider Foundation to make sure the County protects Naples and the Gaviota Coast! We need your voice today.

• Email comments by August 2, 2024 at noon:
  Zoning Administrator, Jonathan Martin, martinj@countyofsb.org 
  
  
• Attend the Public hearing on August 5 at 9:00 am*
  123 E. Anapamu Street
  Planning Commission Hearing Room
  *Call 805-568-2000 for updated time.

Suggested talking points for your consideration:

• The Naples Lot 66 Estate development must be denied because it is planned within protected sensitive habitat. Approval would be inconsistent with the Gaviota Coast Plan’s mandatory habitat protection.
• The Habitat Restoration Plan is deficient for omitting Lot 69 and white-tailed kite foraging habitat.
• The wetland delineation is too old and was undertaken during an historic drought and is invalid.
• I urge the Zoning Administrator to deny the estate or prepare a subsequent environmental impact report.
• In addition, please raise any personal concerns or opinions that you have about why this issue and Naples area is important to you.