COUNTY COUNCILS 'PLAN' TO PLAN… EVENTUALLY. TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK FOR THEIR 'THINKING'.

It seems the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, in their infinite wisdom, has decided that the most pressing issue facing our fair county is...scheduling dates to *talk about* future plans. Yes, dear readers, according to a recent agenda item from this august body, our elected officials are penciling in September, November, and December dates simply to deliberate on adopting 'proposed Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Amendments.'

One can almost hear the collective gasp of relief from the populace – finally, action! Oh, wait, no, just the scheduling of future meetings to discuss actions. It's truly a masterclass in bureaucratic efficiency, worthy of a gold medal in the 'paper-shuffling Olympics.' While regular folks are trying to figure out how to afford gas and groceries, our county's leadership is meticulously planning to plan, ensuring maximum billable hours for consultants and staff to prep for these momentous gatherings.

What are these 'Land Use Element Amendments,' you ask? Who knows! The details are as nebulous as a coastal fog bank, but rest assured, they will undoubtedly involve more layers of red tape, more 'sustainable development' jargon that translates to 'less freedom for property owners,' and more opportunities for well-connected developers to secure lucrative permits, while everyone else gets mired in endless reviews. It's the classic Santa Barbara shell game: frame it as environmental progress, but watch who gets rich.

This isn't about protecting the environment; it's about control and campaign coffers. The real story isn't the dates on the calendar; it's the quiet influence of the environmental lobby and the deep-pocketed developers who know exactly how to navigate these labyrinthine 'planning processes' to their advantage. While these 'amendments' are being carefully considered, likely behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny, you can bet the true benefactors are already counting their profits. Meanwhile, your property rights and your wallet are just another 'element' to be amended.