On September 3, 2019, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) presented a draft of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans to the Goleta City Council. The plans are for all Santa Barbara County airports, including Santa Barbara Airport. At this time, the project is in a holding pattern until SBCAG and member agency staff, including in particular the City of Goleta and Santa Barbara County, can resolve outstanding issues regarding the draft plans that were presented.

The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCP) designates compatible land uses around public use airports in Santa Barbara County and has an important role in assuring safety around airports. However, the plan in its draft form would have significant impacts on allowable land uses within City of Goleta limits, and would have the practical effect of rendering many existing uses non-conforming to the current General Plan or zoning requirements. In limiting future development potential, the draft ALUCP would also have the effect of displacing growth and planned residential density contemplated by the City’s General Plan to other areas.  

On September 19, 2019, the SBCAG Board delayed any action to approve Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans to allow time to resolve some of the outstanding issues.