A public meeting on a long-debated roadway extension in Orcutt is scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel on Skyway Drive in Santa Maria.
The meeting will cover a recently released environmental impact report on the Union Valley Parkway extension project and staff members from Caltrans, Santa Maria city and Santa Barbara County will be on hand to answer questions.
As proposed, the east-west street south of Foster Road would be extended west across Highway 135 to connect with Blosser Road south of the Santa Maria Public Airport. On the east, it would be connected to Highway 101 with a new interchange.
The project’s draft environmental impact report prepared by San Luis Obispo-based Rincon Consultants cited several negative impacts, such as a permanent increase in noise levels for neighbors and harm to several animal and plant species.
Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to voice their concerns as no other public forums have been scheduled, according to Santa Maria city officials.
The meeting will be in the Enterprise Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel at 3455 Skyway Drive in Santa Maria.
The review period is scheduled to last until Sept. 11, during which time written comments can be mailed to City of Santa Maria, Public Works Engineering Department, Attention: David Beas, 110 S. Pine St. #101, Santa Maria, CA 93458.
The report is available online at the city of Santa Maria’s Web site or at the Santa Maria and Orcutt Public Libraries.
Sam Womack can be reached at 739-2218 or
swomack@santamariatimes.com.
August 11, 2008