Ms. Vera Benson

"Nobody's going to want those trucks on any route in Carpinteria," said Vera Benson, vice president of the Carpinteria Valley Association, a nonprofit watchdog group.

"My issue is with the truck route without a county permit," said Vera Benson."And, I don't know if the tank is necessary."

The water district said we needed the Rancho Monte Alegre tank to store water while the Carpinteria Reservoir was being covered.Now the reservoir is covered and they haven't started Rancho Monte Alegre.So the reason didn't make sense, said Benson, who serves as vice president for the Carpinteria Valley Association, a nonprofit public interest group.

Vera Benson, with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara and the Carpinteria Valley Association, said, "It sounds good, but I want to see it on paper.I want to see the conservation easement."

A public meeting to discuss the future of the ranch took place on February 9 (details not available before press time).Benson looked forward to the forum because, "We need to get the facts out so that, number one, the owners will know that that's what's expected of them."

Specifically, Benson is concerned about the impact of future construction on Carpinteria's view of the foothills.She supports strict height and size limits on the homes that will eventually be built on the parcels.
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Another concern of Benson's is the conservation of the original buildings on the ranch, parts of which have fallen into disrepair.

According to vice-president Vera Benson, membership is around 50 people, down from the high of 250 about 10 to 15 years ago.

In the suit, the CVA claims "The EIR fails to analyze the fact that the annexation of Rancho Monte Alegre to CVWD's service area removes a significant impediment to future development in the area, a reliable supply of water."

Benson of the CVA said, "The EIR is incorrect in not stating that this is not growth inducing.

Vera BensonCarpinteria Valley Association

Where's a girl to park?Am I the only person who feels this way?It has come to my attention after trying to find long term parking in downtown Carpinteria and near Carpinteria Library, that our city does not have adequate downtown parking to accommodate any activity over 90 minutes.There is not enough parking that is not posted 60 or 90 minutes.

On Oct. 19, I parked in front of Peggy's Used Treasures for 85 minutes and got a $30 parking ticket.

Vera Benson of the Carpinteria Valley Association, an environmental watchdog group, said she's initially pleased with the owner's proposal to set aside vast areas of open space, but that she won't be at ease until it's all in writing.

She and other community watchdogs have plenty of questions about the project, including traffic, view corridor and environmental effects.

"We have big, big concerns about the size of the homes and the maximum square footage," she said."A lot of people are wondering if there are going to be a lot of big houses along the ridge line and dotting our foothills.Once things get started, they get augmented, and they go on to anything you can imagine."

Ms. Benson said the developers at one point stated that the homes would be set back from the ridgeline and have a color to blend in with the surroundings.

"Whether that will happen I don't know," she said.