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Buellton: UGB Initiative going to ballot

By Julian J. Ramos/Staff Writer

The proposed Urban Growth Boundary Initiative in Buellton is going to a vote of the people in November.

At a special meeting Tuesday, the Buellton City Council agreed 4-1 to place the initiative, which was introduced by the group Buellton Is Our Town, on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Tuesday’s special session was called on Friday to meet a county deadline for submitting ballot measure proposals,

Under the proposed initiative, expansion of the city limits or development of sewer or water services outside the existing city limits would require voter approval. The initiative would be in effect until Dec. 31, 2025, the life span of the current General Plan.

Mayor Pro Tem Dale Molesworth and councilmembers Ed Andrisek, Victoria Pointer and Diane Whitehair were in favor with Mayor Russ Hicks dissenting.

Hicks favored council adoption of the initiative as an amendment to the city’s General Plan. That was one of two options on the table for the council.

The General Plan is the document that establishes zones for different types of development such as commercial and residential uses, traffic circulation patterns and future development.

Pointer said she is “in agreement with the majority” of the proposal and supported a public vote, but had concerns over the 17-year length. She also said it’s the council’s “responsibility to present an alternative.”

At Wednesday night’s special meeting — the second in as many days — the council was scheduled to consider placing an alternate initiative on the ballot.

The proposed alternate initiative is similar to the planned UGB but would have an expiration date of 2014 to coincide with a required General Plan Housing Element update.

Andrisek proposed the alternative at the June 26 council meeting.

In public comments, Joan Hartmann of BIOT said the second special meeting, called by Molesworth, Andrisek and Pointer on Tuesday, was a “severe breach of public trust” and she hoped the council would decide against an alternate initiative.

Members of BIOT, many in yellow T-shirts, filled the council chambers and the area outside the chambers.

Coverage of Wednesday’s special meeting is scheduled for Tuesday’s Extra Edition.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 688-5522, Ext. 6008, or jramos@syvnews.com.