When the state told local officials to earmark more land for affordable housing, community members revolted. Many residents said higher-density developments would diminish their quality of life and increase traffic, pollution and crime -- concerns others disparaged as NIMBY, or "Not In My Back Yard."
The opponents called on officials to reject a law that requires them to plan new housing based on statewide growth and income projections. In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, the figure comes to 6,064 new units for years 2003 through 2008.
The scenario in Santa Barbara County is similar to the predicament of many jurisdictions across the state and nation, where evaporating open space has made it more difficult to build new homes, especially for people with lower incomes.
Posted by gandlwoods at November 15, 2004 05:08 PM