The recent housing project introduced by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians continues to stir up emotions over whether the project could be good or bad for Santa Barbara County.
The tribe bought the agriculturally zoned parcel from Fess Parker in 2010. The proposal indicates that the tribe plans to build 143 additional homes and a tribal administration building on 1,400 acres that intersect at highways 154 and 246.
On May 1, the Santa Maria City Council heard a report from Mark Schniepp from the California Economic Forecast Project in Goleta. The report, commissioned by the tribe, details the economic health of Santa Barbara County and how the project has the potential to improve the local economy.
Schniepp said the project could provide 360 construction jobs and $101 million in wages. He said the project could start in July and break ground next year, reaching completion by 2017.
However, numerous local nonprofit groups and organizations—such as Santa Ynez Valley Concerned Citizens, Preservation of Los Olivos, Camp 4 Coalition for Good Governance, and Women’s Environmental Watch—are speaking out against the project.
According to a report issued by the Camp 4 Coalition for Good Governance group, the tribe’s attempt to annex the land from county jurisdiction and tax requirements could have very negative impacts.
“Such an act on the Tribe’s part would be an egregious example of a wealthy few seeking to shift the tax burden to other members of the community,” the report stated.
The report details the negative economic impacts this project could have on the local community; according to the report, businesses opened on the property wouldn’t be responsible for sales tax, and the project could ignite problems with traffic, roads, sewage, and power.
Kathy Cleary, a Preservation of Los Olivos (POLO) board member, said the Santa Ynez Valley community is absolutely opposed to further expansion of any more land into federal trust. She said this project isn’t about helping impoverished Indians, because the casino profits brings in millions of dollars each year.
This article appears in May 10-17, 2012.