While the Gaviota Coast Community Plan recently approved for environmental review by the Board of Supervisors has generated a significant amount of controversy on its own, a number of projects on large parcels along the Gaviota Coast closer to Santa Barbara could have more immediate and long-lasting impacts on coastal development, the California Coastal Trail, and the character of the area.
Among these is the proposed Paradiso del Maré development on a mile-long stretch of the coast just a half-mile west of the Bacara Resort. The proposal for construction of two residential complexes has generated backlash within the environmental and trail communities, which are concerned about the loss of access to the Naples surf break as well as potential impacts on the while-tail kite populations and the nearby seal rookery.
In late November 2013, the County Planning Commission approved the Paradiso project. It was subject to a number of conditions and included an offer by the applicant to provide $20,000 to fund the start-up of a seal watch program similar to the one that exists for the Carpinteria rookery near the Chevron Oil Pier. On Thursday, December 19, a number of community groups, along with noted marine mammal expert Peter Howorth, announced they had filed a joint appeal of the approval.