Everyone knows that “Lompoc is at the end of the road” geographically, and this semi-isolation impacts our economy: Can city leaders improve the economic situation in our city?
Since the space shuttle program ended at nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, the city has seen relatively little growth. Developers like large parcels of land to build projects so they can achieve a maximum return for their investment. Parcels like this don’t currently exist within the city limits, so we are left with infill sites that are much smaller.
We are sort of boxed in by prime agricultural land to the west, the Santa Ynez River to the east, and developed areas to the north that may not want to be annexed. When an annexation to the west is proposed, the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) opposes it. Moving to the east is also opposed, and moving to the north creates utility infrastructure issues.
We are also hampered by old-school politicians who have dominated the council for generations. These are the old family prodigies who still think the city is fine just the way it was in the 1960s. Some have no pride in their own properties and feel it’s reasonable to allow their holdings, built by their fathers and grandfathers, to fall into disrepair and drag down the value of neighboring properties.
They legislate the same way. Their polices reflect the idea that a person can do anything they want to with their property and avoid meeting minimal appearance and construction standards. They eliminated the code enforcement function and now rely on a complaint-based system, which pits neighbor against neighbor. To dilute the effectiveness of this process they also included provisions to identify the complainant if the subject of the complaint asked for it.
Local commercial property owners do little to attract business to their properties, many of which have been in their families for decades. For example: When the wine industry began growing, instead of locating their tasting rooms in the old town area, they chose to house them in an industrial area far removed from the commercial center of the city.
Why? Because the downtown buildings would have needed significant renovation to plumbing, heating/ventilation, and safety systems and additional exits. Building owners were unwilling to invest in the upgrades because of the initial expense and the fact that their property taxes would have increased as the value of their property increased and instead chose to leave the properties in their current state of decay.
Instead of encouraging a welcoming appearance to potential developers and new businesses, elected leaders have chosen to take the low road at every turn. A recent example was when the old municipal pool was demolished, the city had a budget of almost a half-million dollars to remove the pool and replace it with a park. There were several park configurations available, but they chose the cheapest, bare-bones version. Now the “park” is simply a shabby plot of dead weeds in front of City Hall.
To prosper, we need a new way of thinking at City Hall. People who aspire to be in leadership roles should have a forward vision for the city. Some do, and unfortunately the current council majority lacks this attribute.
Perhaps it’s time to cast aside the old-school politicians who have dominated the council for generations and allow a younger, more vigorous group of folks to try their hand at policy-making.
We need imagination and a pro-business attitude to embrace a city that sparkles to outside business interests. Public property should lead the appearance race in every corner of the city; roads need to be repaired and in some cases rebuilt; alleyways need to be repaved; parks need a makeover; and yes, we need a complete makeover at Ryon Park.
Our leaders need to reach out to new industrial clients, specifically those in the growing commercial space industry and introduce them to city staff members who can facilitate their projects. They need to stress the positive aspects of the city, like the low utility rates, clean air, and communication infrastructure that will support businesses.
Three former members of the Economic Development Commission are running for seats on the City Council. Mayor Jenelle Osborne is running for reelection, Councilwoman Gilda Cordova is running in the 1st District, and Jeremy Ball is running in the 4th District.
All three were serving on the EDC when the Economic Development Element of the General Plan was crafted and could breathe new life into this document and implement the policies and goals of the plan. The current council majority has proposed eliminating this important part of the General Plan in the recent past.
Yes, it’s past time to cast away the image that a town at the “end of the road” can’t help companies succeed in a competitive world. It’s past time for a new team at the helm.
Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send comments through the editor at clanham@santamariasun.com or write a letter in response and email it to letters@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2020.