To all those that share the heartbreak of a closed State Street, the final adoption of the ordinance to keep State Street closed for another three years will be heard at the Santa Barbara City Council chambers this Tuesday, September 26th. There is no Time Certain but it is the last item on the agenda, Item 12:
SB City Council Agenda September 26th
If you can't attend in person, PLEASE email the council. Most public servants read the emails even if they don't agree with them. We need a weight of voices to make a difference.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may also be submitted via email to Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov prior to the beginning of the Council Meeting. All public comments submitted via email will be provided to City Council and will become part of the public record.
An aligned group:
And there website.
If you need help composing a letter, Bonnie Donovan, in better times a writer for the NewsPress, has one you can use - copy and paste:
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS September 22, 2023 – Autumnal Equinox
Mr. Mayor & Council Members:
Restore El Pueblo Viejo
This letter is a call to action- for division to cease, cooperation to commence, and for the vision that our city’s forebearers charted prior to the June 19, 1925 earthquake (and formalized shortly thereaber) be respected and balanced with the present needs of all of our community members. Any proposed changes need to be vetted in a non-biased, non-politicized manner with reasonable timelines.
As residents and taxpayers, we rely upon you, our leaders and city staff to make considered and objective decisions. Ideologies and subjective opinions are irrelevant and have no place in government. It is essential that we take care of today’s needs before skipping to other possibilities of what our town “should” or “might” be down the line. Let’s get back to the baseline first. Keep things simple, address our basic needs now and then work through the Master Plan to address possible future improvements. Protect the use of our Public Right-of-Way for all of our citizens and visitors.
1. Increase support of our local law enforcement to protect citizens, visitors, and property.
2. Ensure a safe and clean downtown, address and eliminate open drug use, hostile transients, and open toileting, etc.
3. Recognize that our downtown corridor and El Pueblo Viejo along State Street is one of our greatest city assets and attractions. Adhere to Historic Landmarks Commission regarding elements in El Pueblo Viejo district, as required and outlined in our City Charter Section 817, subsection (c) “The Historic Landmarks Commission shall have the power and duty to: Review and approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions, plans for exterior alteration, demolition, relocation, moving, or construction of or on: (1) any structures or real property within El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, (2) any structures or real property within any designated Landmark District, (3) any additional property authorized by action of the City Council; (4) a designated Landmark.”
4. Recognize all members of our community - young and old- ARE the community and have value.
5. Understand what equal access to the Public Right-of-Way means and that it is required by law. Ensure that access is provided for those who live with challenges. Families with children and strollers need access too!
6. Work for equal and proportionate distribution of city resources to all businesses.
7. Remove outdoor dining in the street - move outdoor dining back to sidewalks where it has successfully operated for years. We all agree and want outdoor dining! And we have always had it. We don't need special consideration for a few restaurants that infringes on the whole community.
8. Encourage shop owners that sell unique and bespoke wares. Shopping is one of the most popular activities when one is on vacation. Tourists want to shop and find something uniquely Santa Barbara to purchase.
9. Open up State Street to cars and bicycles and reinstate the trolley/shuttle – all sharing the two traffic lanes and with the pedestrians on the beautiful brick sidewalks.
10. Parades belong on State Street within El Pueblo Viejo. Temporarily close State Street (or portions thereof) for parades, weekly farmers market, etc. as the city has done historically.
11. Visit other communities- San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Solvang, Coast Village Road, Carpinteria’s Linden Avenue. All have returned to pre-Covid conditions with vehicles and pedestrians in their downtowns. And all are thriving.
Work to build housing with developers to achieve balance and diversity in our housing and built environment.
We encourage our community to embrace inclusivity and to welcome newcomers to our beautiful town and the enthusiasm that they bring. We encourage everyone that holds our city dear to participate in activities that bring a deeper understanding of Santa Barbara’s culture, history, buildings and natural environment.
We thank you for working on our behalf. We support our democratic process and count on you to support our needs. We will continue to be available, engaged and attentive.
Sincerely,