After listening to over 40 speakers, the council decided to continue discussion at its next meeting, July 12. The council opted to postpone voting on the Sphere of Influence Baseline Conditions Report. A Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a plan that outlines physical boundaries and service areas of any given city or district. The report recommended that the council approve further study of 2,000 acres of land located beyond city limits as part of a process that could result in Buellton expanding its city limits and an eventual annexation.

 

“I really couldn’t say if we’re going to go forth with the study at this point,” said Council Member Dale Molesworth. “I heard a lot of different things here tonight and made notes on most of them. They opened some new doors and new thoughts for me and I’m sure it must have done that for the other [council members] as well.

 

“One of those issues was the water issue and another issue is that people do not want Buellton to be larger, they would like it to stay small,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to listen to the people with different ideas. We’re not dealing with a bunch of stupid people here, we’re dealing with intelligent thoughtful individuals and you have to pay attention to them.”

 

The City Council Chambers was well over its maximum 63-person capacity as over 100 flowed into the hallways and outside the chambers to listen to the meeting.

 

Many people who were against the study proposal and future expansion of Buellton cited environmental concerns, consequences that could follow expansion, and interest in preserving the small-town characteristic of Buellton as reasons for urging the council to reject the SOI study.

 

“I had heard a rumor of this activity, but I never imagined it would come to fruition,” said Buellton community member Jon Macaluso. “The fact that the City Council would even entertain the idea of expansion boggles my mind. There is no need to make Buellton the metropolis of the Santa Ynez Valley.”

 

The newly formed group, Buellton is Our Town, made its debut at the meeting. The group is an association of Buellton and Santa Ynez Valley residents whose mission includes insisting that the city of Buellton preserve the small-town character, as well as safeguard and enhance the environmental qualities of the city.

 

According to a statement released by Buellton is Our Town, the group claims that the “premise of the SOI study contradicts the Valley Blueprint and that the city has a pressing need to expand beyond its boundaries.”

 

Attorney Mark Manion of Price Postal & Parma LLP represented the group, cautioning the council against continuing the study.

 

Manion said it’s disingenuous to just call it a sphere study because the expectations of amending a city’s sphere of influence is urbanization, and with that, a loss of rural characteristics in certain areas.

“The direction that we’ve received from Buellton is Our Town is to do everything possible to stop this from moving forward and we’re prepared to do that,” Manion said.

 

Not all of the public speakers who attended the meeting were there to express their opposition to the study. About five speakers supported and urged the council to move forward with the SOI study.

 

Joanne Chavez, a Buellton resident, expressed her support in continuing with the SOI study. “It seems like as soon as you move here, you want to stop growth. Nobody can stop growth; and if we think we can, it’s stupid,” she said. “A study does need to be done. And how can more important information be bad?”

 

Other supporters suggested that the study proposal is merely a study and that it does not guarantee any further action by the City Council.

 

“If you say ‘no’ to continuing the process, what are you saying ‘yes’ to?” said John Franklin, a Thousand Oaks resident and Buellton property owner. “Growth is going to continue both within Buellton and outside Buellton. What you say ‘yes’ to is the county to control the outside of the city boundaries. So before you say ‘no,’ you should continue to gather information for an informed decision.

 

“A sphere of influence does not necessarily mean you are going to annex property, it provides control,” he added.

 

The council’s decision to continue the SOI topic comes after it authorized Buellton’s Planning Department to prepare the report in August 2006. Though the council did not cast a vote at the meeting, members, including Buellton Mayor Diane Whitehair, said they were encouraged by the community presence and participation.

 

“We are always open to public comment and we encourage people to come out during the process versus coming out after the fact. That’s what it’s all about,” Whitehair said. “I have been listening and not just listening, but hearing.”

 

The City Council may decide whether or not to approve the SOI study at its next council meeting, July 12. All City Council meetings are held at 6 p.m., every second and fourth Thursday of each month at the City Council Chambers at 140 W. Hwy 246, behind the Buellton Post Office.

 

For more information about the report or the SOI, contact the Planning Department at 805-688-7474 or visit cityofbuellton.com. For more information about the meeting, contact City Hall at 805-686-0137. Agendas and meeting minutes can also be obtained at cityofbuellton.com.