A New 'Indian Country' Development Strategy

Will a plan to convert otherwise non-developable land to to "Indian country" -- free from local zoning regulations -- become a new trend?

1 minute read

May 19, 2004, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Alexander is one of many residents who have expressed their dismay since Parker announced his intentions in early March to sell 745 acres of ranchland to the Chumash tribe. Initial plans called for building a resort hotel, two championship golf courses and up to 500 luxury homes. Since the land would be annexed by the tribe on sovereign land, the development could proceed without adhering to county zoning laws and land-use regulations... The project is believed to be the first of its kind attempted by a tribe in California. It has alarmed preservationists because the scale far exceeds any real estate development in the rural Santa Ynez community, located in Santa Barbara County."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, May 17, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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