Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board of Supervisors
Opinion
Opinion
Willard, J.
The real parties in interest, Wallover, Inc., and Hyatt Corporation (hereinafter sometimes jointly called Hyatt), seek to develop a resort hotel on 73 acres of beachfront land in Santa Barbara County. Respondent board of supervisors certified an environmental impact report (EIR) as complete, rezoned the site to permit the proposed use, and approved a preliminary development plan. Appellants, groups who oppose the development, sought a writ of mandate to set aside the certification and approval. They appeal from the judgment of the trial court denying their petition. We reverse.
Factual Background
Project Site: The project site, generally known as “Haskell’s Beach,” is located on the western edge of Goleta. It is bounded on the north by U.S. Highway 101 and the Southern Pacific Railway. To the east is the ARCO Ell wood oil processing facility and Sandpiper golf course. Westerly of the site is the Aminoil Dos Pueblos oil field and Ellwood pier (used by ARCO and Exxon for oil-related activities). The Pacific Ocean lies to the south. Directly across U.S. 101 from the project site is the 176-lot Rancho Embarcadero residential subdivision.