The Goleta Slough Reserve Zone is established in order to protect, preserve and maintain the environmentally sensitive habitat areas of the Goleta Slough for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. The intent of this chapter is to ensure that any development in or adjacent to any wetland area is designed to preserve the wetland as it exists or improve the habitat values of the Goleta Slough Reserve Zone.
Land classified in the G-S-R Zone may also be classified in another zone. Where a conflict occurs between the provisions in this chapter and other laws or other regulations effective within the City, the more restrictive of such laws or regulations shall apply.
(Ord. 4375, 1986; Ord. 4674, 1991)
A. 
Coastal development permit required. In addition to any other permits or approvals required by the City hereafter, a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit shall be required prior to commencement of any development within the Goleta Slough Reserve Zone, unless specifically excluded. A Coastal Development Permit under the provisions of Chapter 28.44, Chapter 30.35 and Chapter 30.210, shall not be required if the proposed project is only in the G-S-R and CZ Zones; however, a Goleta Slough Reserve Coastal Development Permit shall be required, unless specifically excluded. If a development is in another zone in addition to the G-S-R and CZ zones, both a Coastal Development Permit under this chapter and under Chapter 28.44 shall be required, unless specifically excluded. If a development is excluded from a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit, as stated in Section 29.25.040 of this chapter, it shall also be excluded from a Coastal Development Permit under Chapter 28.44, Chapter 30.35 and Chapter 30.210 of this code.
B. 
Permit process. The regulations set forth in Chapters 28.44, 30.35, and 30.210 of this code, except as they pertain to the application for a separate Coastal Development Permit, shall apply to the processing of a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit application.
C. 
Submittal requirements. In addition to the information required to be submitted with an application for a Coastal Development Permit, or any other application requirements of the Community Development Department, the following information must be submitted with an application for a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit:
1. 
Development Plan: A development plan, clearly and legibly drawn, the scale of which shall be large enough to show clearly all details thereof and shall contain the following information:
a. 
Contour lines of existing grade with a minimum of two foot intervals;
b. 
Dimensions of proposed development and location of proposed use with scale, date and north arrow;
c. 
Finished grade contours after completion of development or use clearly showing the location of all proposed grading, cut and fill;
d. 
The location of proposed access to the development site during construction and after the project is completed;
e. 
The location for the stockpiling of any dredged materials or storage of supplies and equipment during or after construction;
f. 
Habitat mapping and impact assessment by a qualified wetland biologist identifying all upland and wetland habitat locations within at least 100 feet from any development, access way, storage site or disturbed area and discussion of any impacts to the wetland or the 100 foot buffer along the periphery of the wetland. Wetland delineations shall be prepared in accordance with the definitions of Section 13577(b) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations;
g. 
An identification of habitat area that supports rare, threatened, or endangered species that are designated or candidates for listing under State or Federal law, "fully protected" species and/or "species of special concern," and plants designated as rare by the California Native Plant Society;
h. 
Water Quality Mitigation Plan (WQMP) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (WQMP) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP) details consistent with the criteria of LUP Policies C-12 and C-13.
2. 
Written description of the project including the purpose of the project and an anticipated schedule for construction and completion.
3. 
Elevations of the proposed structure from all sides.
4. 
Written comment on the proposed use or development from the State of California Department of Fish and Game. Review by the Department of Fish and Game shall be coordinated through the City of Santa Barbara Community Development Department Staff.
5. 
An identification and description of rare, threatened, or endangered species, that are designated or candidates for listing under State or Federal law, and identification of "fully protected" species and/or "species of special concern," and plants designated as rare by the California Native Plants Society, and avoidance, mitigation, restoration and monitoring measures/plan details consistent with the criteria of LUP Policies C-14 and C-15; and
6. 
Written description and impact assessment of sensitive archaeological or other culturally sensitive resources and details of avoidance, mitigation and monitoring measures necessary to avoid potential impacts.
7. 
Other information reasonably required by the Community Development Department.
D. 
Noticing. Refer to Chapter 28.44, Chapter 30.35 and Chapter 30.210 for noticing requirements.
(Ord. 4375, 1986; Ord. 4674, 1991; Ord. 5025, 1997; Ord. 5267, 2003; Ord. 5417, 2007; Ord. 5798, 2017)
The following uses are permitted in the Goleta Slough Reserve Zone upon the issuance of a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit unless specifically exempted.
A. 
Restoration projects in which restoration and enhancement are the sole purposes of the project.
B. 
Incidental public service purposes, including, but not limited to, installation, burying cables and pipes or inspection of piers, and maintenance of existing intake and outfall lines, where the project is necessary to maintain an existing public service and where it has been demonstrated that there is no feasible less environmentally damaging alternative, and where feasible mitigation measures have been provided to minimize adverse environmental effects.
C. 
Nature study, bird watching, aquaculture, or other similar resource dependent activities.
D. 
Alteration of rivers or streams only for the following purposes:
1. 
Necessary water supply projects; or
2. 
Flood control projects where no other method for protecting existing structures in the flood plain is feasible and where such protection is necessary for public safety or to protect existing development; or
3. 
Developments where the primary function is the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.
E. 
Repair or maintenance activities of existing areas or facilities which do not result in an addition to or enlargement or expansion of the object of such repair or maintenance, unless exempted under Section 29.25.040.A.
F. 
Other uses deemed consistent with the intent and purposes of this chapter and allowed under Public Resources Code Section 30233.
(Ord. 4375, 1986; Ord. 4674, 1991; Ord. 5267, 2003)
A Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit is not required for the following activities and uses:
A. 
Maintenance Activities:
1. 
Trimming of vegetative growth within the extended runway safety area and flight control area in accordance with FAA regulations, as required.
2. 
Mowing of grass and maintenance in accordance with FAA requirements of areas directly adjacent to and parallel to the runways and taxiways within 135 feet of the existing paved surface.
3. 
Maintaining the existing approach lighting system and access road, the existing glide slope, the existing Airport Surveillance Radar and access road, the existing Airport patrol road running along the perimeter of the Slough, and safety related facilities and uses necessary to maintain existing airport capacity and operations.
4. 
On-going mosquito abatement and related maintenance activities such as monitoring of adult and larval mosquito activity including weekly surveillance and collections at likely breeding locations and control measures which consist primarily of hand spraying of larvicidal oil.
5. 
Utilities existing at the time of the initial adoption of this section.
B. 
Public access to the Slough for educational purposes or bird watching when the individual or group has complied with the following Slough Public Access procedures. Any person wishing to enter the Goleta Slough who is not an employee of the City of Santa Barbara, the Goleta Valley Mosquito Abatement District, the Santa Barbara Flood Control District or the California Department of Fish and Game shall complete a "Santa Barbara Municipal Airport/Goleta Slough Access Release, Indemnity and Assumption of Risk Agreement" and have said form approved by the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Director prior to entering the Goleta Slough.
C. 
Activities In Areas Designated as SBa-52:
1. 
Maintenance of the Indian burial site as specified in Agreement #11,256 between the City of Santa Barbara and the Indian Center of Santa Barbara, Inc.; and
2. 
Re-interment of Native American human burial remains found during archaeological work or from archaeological sites as specified in Agreement #11,256 between the City of Santa Barbara and the Indian Center of Santa Barbara, Inc.
Additional activities such as the clearing of channels, digging of ditches, desilting, and dredging activities shall require a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit.
(Ord. 4375, 1986; Ord. 4674, 1991; Ord. 4723, 1991; Ord. 5267, 2003)
Prior to the approval of a Goleta Slough Coastal Development Permit by the Planning Commission, or City Council upon appeal, all of the following must be found:
A. 
The project is consistent with the City's Coastal Land Use Plan and all applicable provisions of the Code.
B. 
The project is consistent with the policies of the California Coastal Act.
C. 
The proposed use is dependent upon the resources of the environmentally sensitive area or the proposed use is found to be consistent with Section 30233 of the Coastal Act.
D. 
Development in areas adjacent to an environmentally sensitive area shall be designed to prevent impacts which would significantly degrade such area and shall be compatible with the continuance of such habitat.
E. 
A natural buffer area of 100 feet will be maintained in an undeveloped condition along the periphery of all wetland areas. Where development of the Airfield Safety Projects renders maintenance of a 100 foot buffer area between new development and delineated wetlands infeasible, the maximum amount of buffer area is provided and all impacts to wetland habitat will be mitigated to the maximum extent feasible such that no net loss of wetland habitat occurs.
F. 
The proposed use shall be carried out in a manner that will sustain the biological productivity of coastal waters and that will maintain healthy populations of all species of marine organisms adequate for long-term commercial, recreational, scientific and educational purposes.
G. 
The proposed project includes adequate impact avoidance and mitigation measures to ensure protection of rare, threatened, or endangered species, that are designated or candidates for listing under State or Federal law, "fully protected" species and/or "species of special concern," and plants designated as rare by the California Native Plan Society.
H. 
There is no less environmentally damaging alternative to the proposed development, all feasible mitigation measures have been provided to minimize adverse environmental effects and, if applicable:
1. 
All dredged spoils shall be removed from the wetland area to avoid significant disruption to wildlife habitat and water circulation.
2. 
Diking, filling or dredging in the Goleta Slough shall maintain or enhance the functional capacity of the wetland or estuary.
I. 
Channelizations or other substantial alteration of rivers and streams shall incorporate the best mitigation measures feasible.
J. 
Archaeological or other culturally sensitive resources within the Goleta Slough are protected from impacts of the proposed development.
K. 
The proposed use shall minimize any adverse effects of wastewater discharges, run-off and interference with surface water flow.
L. 
Sedimentation from the proposed development has been reduced to a minimum and is compatible with the maintenance of the wetland area.
M. 
The proposed project enhances public educational or recreational opportunities at the Goleta Slough including, but not limited to:
1. 
Providing area(s) and facilities on the periphery of the wetland for recreational and educational use of the Slough; or,
2. 
Developing educational tour routes and procedures for such tours in dry land areas of the Slough. Educational/explanatory signs shall be included as part of any walking tour or viewing facilities project.
(4375, 1986; Ord. 4674, 1991; Ord. 5267, 2003)
The City shall enter into a binding agreement with the State Department of Fish and Game, or successor agency, to establish the Slough as a part of an ecological preserve system for the purpose of management, preservation, enhancement, and where feasible restoration of the Goleta Slough.
The City shall participate in a management plan for the ecological management of the Slough. The plan should provide for management, preservation, enhancement, and where feasible, restoration of the Goleta Slough.
(Ord. 4674, 1991)