Santa Ynez Chumash seek to move prominent open space into federal trust

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians seeks to place a prominent open space into federal trust—a move that would open the door to new construction at the site.

“We purchased this land in 2015, and we want to ensure it is preserved for future generations of our tribe,” Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman, said in a statement.

Called the San Carlos Property, also known as the Triangle Property, it’s bordered by Highway 154 to the northeast, Highway 246 to the south and the town of Santa Ynez at Meadowvale Road to the west.

After notifying Santa Barbara County of the application, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs now seeks input from local officials about the potential title change.

If approved, the move would remove the property from Santa Barbara County planning and development oversight. The county Board of Supervisors will discuss how county officials might respond on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

“Once it goes into trust… we do not have any opportunity to control what happens,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann, whose Third District includes the property. “That’s what makes people anxious.”

The developing dynamics echo a bruising years-long fight over a neighboring 1,400-acre property located across Highway 154 from the San Carlos Property. Called Camp 4, the Chumash purchased it in 2010 from the estate of the late actor Fess Parker.

In 2017, the tribe and the county inked a deal that limits home construction at Camp through 2040. That same deal permanently prohibits gaming on the property.

As county officials prepare to discuss the San Carlos Property, Chumash tribal leaders declined interview requests.

The 350-acre San Carlos Property abuts the roundabout that connects the two highways. It flanks the route visitors and residents take past Gainey Estate Vineyards and the Santa Ynez Airport toward neighborhoods and attractions that include Solvang and the Chumash Casino.

The tribe grazes cattle and hosts the annual Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo at the site purchased in 2015 from the San Carlos Land Company. In early October, the tribe held its annual two-day Intertribal Powwow there.

The federal government holds more than 56 million acres in trust on behalf of individual American Indians or tribes, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Federal officials in 2024 revised regulations that govern how land is moved into trust on behalf of a tribe. Among other provisions, federal officials now presume the transfer will further tribal interests. Adverse impacts to local governments’ regulatory jurisdiction and property tax revenue are presumed to be minimal.

“That is new, and I don’t think we can overcome it,” Hartmann said. “I can’t find any case law where anybody prevailed over that.”

Hartmann said the tribe had recently engaged county planners about the possibility of building a glamping experience and recreational fields at the San Carlos location.

Looking ahead, Hartmann said she hopes the tribe wouldn’t over-develop the property.

“My hope is that we can understand, ‘Here we are at this moment in history, and how can we work together for the betterment of the community?’” she said.

“Their main economic engine is visitor-serving,” Hartmann said, noting the Chumash Casino has a hotel spa and promotes wine tasting.

“They really promote the valley. I don’t think they would deliberately kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” Hartmann said, adding she seeks negotiation. ” I want to say, ‘Let’s be good neighbors.’”

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