Proposed Montecito Fire Station Plan Up for a New Review
An environmental plan for a third Montecito area fire station is now available for review, but the site has controversy.
It’s off East Valley Road and some residents believe the location will bring too much noise to the area and have too many other impacts on the narrow two lane highway.
Others say it is badly needed and will help with emergency response times.
The Montecito Fire Protection District says it has an upgraded draft environmental report that will be the focus of a public meeting next month.
The district statement reads :
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT For the Station 3 Site Acquisition and Construction Project
The Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that identifies the potential environmental impacts associated with the Station 3 Site Acquisition and Construction Project. This is a revised Draft EIR to supersede the Final EIR published on April 23, 2012. The MFPD welcomes your participation and input on the analysis of the Draft EIR.
Proposed Project: The MFPD proposes acquisition of real property and development of a District fire station (Station 3) on a site of approximately 2.55 acres located near 2500 East Valley Road in Montecito, California. Three structures of generally one story in height and totaling approximately 12,560 square feet would include a main building containing the apparatus bays, offices and living quarters, and two supporting structures. Infrastructure would include approximately 0.78 acres of non- structural paved surfaces, including two entry/exit driveways to East Valley Road. Grading would include approximately 8,000 cubic yards (cy) of cut and approximately 600 cy exported via heavy haul truck to a site determined to be acceptable at the time of construction. The project would require approval of a the MFPD Board of Directors, as well as subsequent consideration of a Major Conditional Use Permit (CUP), a Parcel Map Waiver, and issuance of a Certificate of Compliance with the Subdivision Map Act by the County of Santa Barbara.
Public Participation: A public hearing on the Draft EIR is scheduled before the MFPD Board of Directors on Monday, August 24, 2015 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the MFPD office at 595 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara, California. The public is encouraged to attend to discuss potential project impacts outlined in the EIR and provide input on the analysis provided in the EIR. Reference copies of the EIR are available at the Montecito Library at 1469 East Valley Road, and at the MFPD office. A limited number of hard copies of the EIR are available and can be obtained from the MFPD office. Electronic versions on CD are available at the MFPD office. The document is also available for review on MFPD’s website at: http://www.montecitofire.com/station-3-studies.
The required 45-day public review period for the EIR will close Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Anyone interested in commenting on the EIR should attend the public hearing and/or submit a written statement to the MFPD, 595 San Ysidro Road, Santa Barbara CA 93108, Attention: Chip Hickman, Fire Chief, by 5:00 p.m., on September 14, 2015. Comments can also be submitted via email to: chickman@montecitofire.com.
