Despite signaling that it was prepared to side with an appeal of two new homes in the Painted Cave community, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission changed course Wednesday and voted to approve the projects. The commission voted 3-2 in two separate cases to approve plans for the homes along Painted Cave Road, despite concerns from some neighbors who say the projects increase wildfire risk and could impede evacuations in an emergency. A large part of the commission’s decision was related to a fire-protection plan submitted by the owner of the properties, Laurel Springs Retreat LLC. Chytilo’s client says the two new homes along Painted Cave Road could increase wildfire risk and impede evacuations. Credit: Daniel Green / Noozhawk photoAttorney Marc Chytilo, who represents Peterson, criticized the process, calling it “amorphous.” He expressed frustration with the late submittal of the fire-protection plan and other documents from the applicant.