The presentation at times was tense with several council members objecting to Francis’ referring to the city as SOAR’s “poster child of sprawl” among other comments.

SOAR applies to cities and counties that require voter approval before agricultural lands or open space can be developed; Santa Paula’s version is the CURB, which has been at center of county controversy due to its inclusion of Adams and Fagan canyons.

Supporters of SOAR will soon begin the petition process to put a new measure on the 2016 ballot to sunset in 2050; the present measure sunsets in 2020.

Planning Director Janna Minsk presented a timeline and history of various SOAR and city land-use measures and Deputy Planning Director Stratis Perros told the council that a CURB boundary oversight on industrial property west of the city should be modified to allow annexation into the city.

He noted, “It would be very expensive to have a ballot measure,” for such a small piece of property.

When asked why the city does not wait for the change, Minsk said with SOAR “gearing up now” it was timely to settle the issue before they prepared boundaries for their ballot measure.

Francis told the council that discussions have been held with other cities on their boundaries and “It’s anathema to us to extend your CURB line,” and for no other city has SOAR agreed to same.

“Santa Paula, because of your expansion,” with Adams and Fagan canyons as well as East Area 1, “is kind of a poster child of sprawl for us...”

He noted SOAR is working with the community and the ballot measure will be determined by “the citizens, not the council...we have to start counting backwards,” to prepare the measure for the 2016 election.

Francis said Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi had approached SOAR about the industrial property and although “I was inclined to draw the boundary,” to eliminate Adams and Fagan canyons, “We decided to step back and let LAFCo do their job...”

Recently on a 4-3 vote the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) allowed the canyons to remain in the city’s sphere-of-influenc pending an update of the General Plan and development planning.

“I have a quid pro quo,” said Francis, an attorney who proposed that the council adopt the local SOAR initiative — which would include the west side industrial property — for the ballot when it is presented with the requisite number of signatures.

Several council members offered sharp comment including Jim Tovias who noted Santa Paulans have learned that LAFCo can circumvent the will of the voters when it comes to land-use. 

The city also does not want sprawl and Tovias said Adams Canyon was reduced from 2,500 custom lots to 500 by the voters.

Francis noted that Santa Paula voters approved SOAR just as they had turned down Adams Canyon twice before it was successfully passed.

Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez took umbrage at Francis’ remark that Santa Paula is the poster child of sprawl: “We’ve managed this city for a long time,” and he noted that “Councilwoman Gherardi reached out to you she is not the entire council...”

Hernandez noted Monday’s appearance was the first time SOAR has addressed the city on the issue.

That SOAR was making plans for the 2016 ballot “Has been public information for about 18 months,” and Francis said the “appropriate reach out was to your City Manager Jaime Fontes...he referred me to Ms. Minsk.”

The city’s internal communications he added are up to the city and not SOAR’s problem.

After more discussion Fontes told the council when Francis contacted him he informed Mayor John Procter and Minsk.

Still pending was the LAFCo hearing regarding the canyons, a session Fontes said was “monumental...” 

So in an “abundance of caution” it was decided to hold off SOAR until LAFCo was dealt with.

The council noted they wanted more time to consider the industrial land issue in relation to the SOAR ballot measure and Francis noted initiative drafts are now being prepared for eight cities and the county.

As far as bringing the issue back to the council in two weeks Hernandez said he understood the issue with the west side parcels but “We have East Area 2,” for industrial development.

And when it comes to making a decision Hernandez said “I’m not going to be pressured into it because of some other organization’s timeline...”

The full council voted to decide the item at the next council meeting.