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How Far Can the City Council Kick a Can Down State Street?

The recommendations re State Street given during the meeting of HLC on June 20th were completely ignored the next day during the City Council discussion of State Street.   During that Public Comment,  CC Member K Sneddon, also the HLC liaison, implored the HLC to give CC direction for State Street for parklets.  She began with the usual drivel of how she appreciates HLC’s guidance, and how they have been “circum-navigated” in the past.  Her questions: Will we have outdoor dining, aside from what we already have – (ODLA the 20 year policy for outdoor dining license agreement) 2. Yes/No on parklettes in the 3 areas; On State St, off State St and on private property, i.e. parking lots etc. She said 90 parkletts exist off of State St.  and she asked for “very clear input”.  Yet during the CC meeting June 21, when the fate of State St was decided to remain closed and in limbo until Dec 2026, she failed to speak up and insist staff include the HLC recommendations in their report on item 26.  HLC should have had an opportunity to present their recommendations and reasons prior to public comment or Council discussion.  Five of 6 members of HLC said undeniably NO parklets on State St, and that State St should “revert to what was before”,  (Covid Emergency) which was OPEN to vehicles.  The only dissenter in this opinion was Steve Hauz who represented HLC during the CC meeting.  Anyone who watched that HLC meeting would have had a hard time supporting all of K Sneddon’s motions:  guilty by omission.

Our mayor has stated his position clearly. Some of his major points are the following.  Due to the emergency shutdown, we ignored our aesthetic standards and traditions while we watched our downtown suffer from our lack of action. The Master Plan process projection is 7-10 years and no capital resources have been identified to execute the plan.  It is time to change our interim strategy.   

A trolley service is needed to activate the street and accommodate those who have limited mobility. For trolleys, at least one traffic lane is necessary to insure the intersections function safely as a public street.  This allows for defined bike lanes and short-term drop-offs curb designations for deliveries and convenience.  The limited roadway promotes calm, between signaled cross streets and activated pedestrian flashers, and include bike lanes. Unsafe biking was not an issue when the street was open to traffic contrary to some vocal public discussions.

The bike lanes on State Street are integral to the city-wide Bicycle Master Plan.  Whether the street is fully opened for the remainder of the period between now and when the State St Master Plan is finished is a question that needs an immediate answer.  The compromise of a couple of blocks remaining closed while the rest are opened to traffic, suggested by Councilmember Eric Friedman, should be executed as an interim experimental plan.

Santa Barbara warrants a bustling sidewalk and robust dining presence downtown. The wide sidewalks, if cleared of planters while maintaining trees to accommodate right-sized outdoor seating contiguous to the businesses, making them easier to control, in compliance with current health and building codes, would help SB regain aesthetic standards.  Local architect Cass Ensberg published a simple sketch that outlines possibilities that can be done quickly without exorbitant capital outlay and promote a very “walkable” downtown.  The street should be as “programmable” as possible, allowing for event closures, Farmer’s Market or live performances, while having the flexibility to stage our traditional parades.

State Street belongs to all of us, including the less mobile.  Without the ability to transport people downtown by vehicle or trolley, we ignore the needs and rights of many Santa Barbarans and visitors.  Our traditions and downtown remain seriously threatened. 

The form of the State Street Master Plan can evolve over time, yet we need to return to vitality sooner than later. While retail did slow for a couple of years, before the shutdown, SB experienced one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in California.  Investors interested in remaking Paseo Nuevo need the certainty of cogent direction.  A simple interim plan quickly and economically implemented is possible.

A theme we observe formally called bullying. Many of us have grown up on the TV show “Survivor” where the group throws out one of the members.  We hear that this Thursday the July 20th, meeting of the Board of SBCC Trustees is to censor one of the board members, Victoria Gallardo.  Are the trustees against one person for speaking their opinion?  Or maybe their work ethic?  We watched Kristin Sneddon basically censor the opinions of the HLC regarding State Street, and we have witnessed our City Council gang up against Mayor Rowse and outvote his common sense, the only one with business experience in the City.  Remember the flip flop of the charge for sq footage for parklets?

We question the poor decisions resulting in redos’ at SBCC, no smooth operation there.  Why do so many administrators and leaders at SBCC get hired only to leave?  They are certainly paid enough.Thanks for reading The Santa Barbara Current ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.