UCSB’s Long Range Development Plan Gets Approved

Following a thorough and collaborative public process that
involved multiple agencies and stakeholders both on campus and off, UC Santa Barbara has received unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission for its Long Range Development Plan (LRDP).

The Board of Regents of the University of California, the Santa Barbara County
Board of Supervisors and the Goleta City Council all previously approved the plan. A
comprehensive land-use document, the LRDP will guide campus planning and development through the year 2025. “On behalf of UC Santa Barbara, I want to express my tremendous appreciation for the approval and thoughtful review by the California Coastal Commission, including Executive Director Charles Lester and his dedicated staff, whose support and wise counsel to UCSB played an integral role in this process,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang, who attended the commission’s meeting today in Half Moon Bay. “We are extremely grateful to all who
collaborated with us on UCSB’s Long Range Development Plan. The collective insight and true partnership provided by so many throughout this process have made our plan even stronger, and ensured that it is in harmony with our neighbors, the California coast and the environment.

But not everyone is excited about the growth. Neighbors nearby are concerned about the extra traffic, safety, and water usage issues.

“Quite concerned about all the extra traffic. The city hasn’t done nothing about widening Storke Road. It’s still two lanes and it’s very dangerous,” said David Ivory, who’s lived at Storke Ranch for 14 years.