County of Santa Barbara, Led on Behalf of Supervisor Farr, Successfully Lobbies State to Retain Community Assets in Isla Vista

The Long-Range Property Management Plan “Plan” for the County of Santa Barbara Successor Agency in Isla Vista was approved by the State of California Department of Finance on Friday, February 21, 2014. Approval of the Plan allows the County to retain the three properties previously purchased by the former Redevelopment Agency (RDA) in Isla Vista; 1) The public parking lot located at 881 Embarcadero Del Mar, 2) The “Medical Clinic” located at 970 Embarcadero Del Mar, and 3) The former St. Athanasius “Church” located at 976 Embarcadero Del Mar.

As part of the 2011 Budget Act, the Legislature approved the dissolution of the state’s 400 plus RDAs. To help facilitate the winding down process at the local level, Successor Agencies have been established to manage redevelopment projects currently underway, make payments on enforceable obligations, and dispose of redevelopment assets and properties. Each Successor Agency has an oversight board that supervises its work.

As part of the dissolution process the County, acting as the Successor Agency, was required to develop a Plan which detailed the disposition of each of the former RDA’s real properties in Isla Vista. The Board of Supervisors began the process of creating the Plan on May 14, 2013 and took action to approve the Plan on October 15, 2013. The Plan called for the County to retain the three properties so they could be used for various community interests including the provision of public parking. The Oversight Board to the Successor Agency took unanimous action to approve the Board of Supervisor’s Plan on October 24, 2013. County Supervisor Doreen Farr is pleased with the State’s decision and notes that “these assets will continue to provide well-needed public services in the Isla Vista community.”

While under review by the State Department of Finance, the Plan received support from several State leaders including Senator Hannah Beth Jackson and Assembly member Das Williams. Members of the Isla Vista Community also advocated in support of the Plan through a letter writing campaign to the Department of Finance.

Questions about the Long-Range Property Management Plan may be directed to the Successor Agency Program Manager, Errin Briggs.