Katy Perry’s plans to build a youth summer camp in California have sparked fierce backlash from hundreds of locals who are set on blocking construction.
The US pop star and her sister, Angela Lerche, are hoping to transform a sprawling 110-acre property in Goleta into a permanent home for a retreat catering to local “underserved youth”.
The project, named Gratitude Canyon, is being created under Perry’s Firework Foundation, which aims to give young people access to creative experiences they might otherwise miss out on.
The site formerly served as the headquarters of Bragg Live Food Products.
According to the Gratitude Canyon website, the sisters spent time at the site growing up and shared a close friendship with the company’s former chief executive, Patricia Bragg, who died in 2023 aged 94.
Plans for the camp include eight cabins, accommodation for counsellors, a dining hall, gymnasium, a swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, an amphitheatre and a soundproof recording studio, according to Santa Barbara County news outlet Noozhawk.
The proposal has met fierce resistance from neighbouring homeowners, who fear the project will bring thousands of visitors each year into their quiet canyon.
Nearly 400 residents have signed a petition opposing the current plans, citing concerns over traffic, noise and the danger of evacuating the area during a bushfire.
“We have zero problem with [Katy giving back to the community],” local Sandra McGreevy told Noozhawk.
While neighbours support the foundation’s mission and work with young people, they are against the proposed location.
One of their biggest concerns is that the camp could also operate as an event venue outside the summer months, attracting even more visitors to the area.
“The idea of a nature camp is not a bad one, but why is there this thing in the application about other events?” resident Deborah Holmes said.
The neighbourhood relies on a single access road, with residents fearing it could become gridlocked if hundreds of people attempt to evacuate during a bushfire.
Locals are also concerned about noise carrying through the canyon from the camp’s facilities, outdoor activities and events.
“The canyon is a naturally occurring bowl,” petition organiser Jen Lilienstein told Noozhawk.
“We are middle-class people who can’t afford to just pick up and move somewhere else because this happens.”
The Firework Foundation has defended its proposal, claiming that the development is designed to preserve the landscape while minimising potential disruption to locals.
According to the project’s website, approximately 97 per cent of the property will remain open space, agricultural land or landscaping, with camp activities occupying roughly 16 acres.
Addressing concerns over the site’s off-season use, the foundation stated the property would not be used as a commercial wedding or concert venue.
Instead, it could be used by schools, non-profit organisations and for occasional retreats, capped at just four special events a year.
The updated plans also incorporate bushfire safety measures, including vegetation management, emergency water supplies, evacuation procedures and a commitment that the site will be staffed 24/7 while children are present.
The Santa Barbara County South Board of Architectural Review delivered a positive preliminary assessment in June, though residents also attended the meeting to voice their objections.
Board member Valerie Frosche supported the design and even suggested the camp would have less impact on the surrounding area than a residential subdivision.
The project is awaiting final approval, with further environmental assessments and public hearings required before county officials make a decision.
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