No one wants state-mandated housing in their backyards, Montecito to Orcutt. The difference between the two areas is this: Montecito residents have money to keep this government-sponsored ghetto out of their neighborhoods. Some do not like this. In fact, Montecito did not tell the county or the state to put these houses in Orcutt or anywhere else. Montecito just doesn’t want it.
Yet some folks from the Orcutt outskirts living near Key Site 3 and 30 were quick to say they don’t want this low-cost housing project in their backyard. It would be best placed in Old Orcutt on Key Site 16. Well, we don’t want it here either.
However, it was Orcutt residents who stood up months ago for those residents opposed to a state-mandated housing project on Key Sites 3 and 30, and also opposed anywhere in the outskirts of Old Orcutt before Key Site 16 was even considered.
Thank you to the few selfish people for having the guts to throw Orcutt under the bus—supervisors included—by recommending Key Site 16 at the supervisor meeting on Dec. 16. Dave Matson, county planner, made a comment that they have a saying in their department about state-mandated housing. “It’s like squirrel on a wheel.” It never stops.
Supervisors, it’s time to eliminate this squirrel. Stop the tail in Sacramento from wagging the dog in Orcutt. Also, no more rezone amendments to the Orcutt Community Plan. We are tired of it being abused.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2008 – Jan 1, 2009.