In the Feb. 16 Sun article, “A slow fight for tribal land,” Chumash Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn reportedly said, “the federal government would closely regulate construction on Camp 4 should the land become part of the tribe’s reservation.” What does the federal government know about the Santa Ynez Valley’s general plan? One must only see the massive 12-story hotel addition and added parking structure constructed on their reservation to understand why so many SYV residents are concerned about the tribe taking more land into trust.
That high-rise structure, with another multi-story parking structure, would have never been allowed if the county had oversight over development on the reservation.
The Chumash have a right to build housing on their property. No one is against that. But like other property owners in the Santa Ynez Valley, they must follow the valley general plan and have county oversight and local input.
This article appears in Jul 27 – Aug 3, 2017.