County Contacting Gov. Brown over Chumash Expansion

The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to keep looking into what the county can do about the Chumash tribe’s expanded resort, the construction of which will start this month; concerns revolve around the 12-story hotel tower, water use, and fire safety. Supervisor Doreen Farr asked that the county send another letter to tribal leadership explaining the county’s issues and related mitigation proposals; the county will also reach out to and request a meeting with Governor Jerry Brown. Some Santa Ynez Valley residents suggested the county should sue the tribe, but County Counsel Mike Ghizzoni said that wasn’t feasible.