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12 hours ago

Staff hearing officer Tess Harris approves 53‑unit project at 335 South Milpas, retaining Tri County Produce Staff Hearing Officer Tess Harris approved a coastal development permit, tentative subdivision map and CEQA streamlined determination for a 53‑unit mixed‑use project at 335 South Milpas that preserves the Tri County Produce market; approval is subject to conditions including remediation and a 10‑day appeal period.

A new mixed-use project at 335 South Milpas has been approved, preserving the beloved Tri County Produce market while adding 53 residential units—what does this mean for the community?

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2 weeks ago

Airport commission approves exclusive negotiating agreement allowing Costco to evaluate airport business-park site The commission unanimously approved an exclusive negotiating agreement letting Costco Wholesale Corporation evaluate a parcel north of Hollister for a potential gas station while the airport retains the right to cancel; commissioners raised traffic, intergovernmental coordination and data-sharing questions.

The Santa Barbara Airport Commission has taken a significant step towards a potential Costco gas station, sparking discussions on traffic impacts and revenue opportunities.

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2 weeks ago

Commission reviews draft resolution on federal immigration enforcement; public commenter urges stronger separation City staff presented a draft resolution reiterating compliance with the California Values Act and data protections; public commenter from Indivisible Santa Barbara said the draft falls short of fully separating local policing from federal immigration enforcement and raised concerns about surveillance contracts.

Santa Barbara's City Council is poised to take a stand on immigration enforcement, but will it be enough to protect community trust amidst growing concerns?

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2 weeks ago

Commission reviews Douglas Family Preserve management plan as residents press for more foxtail control Staff presented a management plan for the 70‑acre Douglas Family Preserve, describing invasive‑species removal, wildfire‑resiliency projects funded with Cal Fire and Coastal Conservancy grants, and an expanded volunteer program; residents urged more timely foxtail mowing, bagging and off‑site disposal to reduce hazards to dogs.

The Douglas Family Preserve is gearing up for vital management changes, but local residents are demanding faster action against invasive foxtails that threaten their parks and pets.

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2 weeks ago

Consultants say Santa Barbara air service has rebounded strongly; Chicago and San Diego routes expected Campbell Hill Aviation Group told the commission Santa Barbara capacity is up sharply versus 2019, carriers serving the airport are growing, and United and Alaska will add Chicago and San Diego nonstop service in coming months; presenters highlighted data on "leakage" and suggested the market can absorb additional capacity.

Santa Barbara Airport is soaring with a 96% capacity increase since 2019 and is set to launch exciting new nonstop routes to Chicago and San Diego!

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2 weeks ago

City outlines waterfront adaptation plan proposing raised paths, targeted protections as sea levels rise City staff presented a mid-project update on a two‑and‑a‑half‑year waterfront adaptation plan that models local sea‑level rise and weighs combinations of hard and nature‑based solutions — including raised walking/biking paths, revetments, and sand nourishment — while emphasizing phased design, Coastal Commission permitting, and near‑term community outreach.

Santa Barbara is taking bold action to combat sea-level rise and coastal erosion with an innovative waterfront adaptation plan that could reshape the future of its beaches!

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#SantaBarbaraCitySantaBarbaraCounty #CA #ClimateAdaptation #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Santa Barbara planning panel forwards draft short‑term rental ordinance to ordinance committee after hours of public comment After several hours of public testimony and lengthy questioning of staff, the Santa Barbara City Planning Commission voted to forward a draft short‑term rental ordinance to the city ordinance committee with requests for more analysis on enforcement, transient occupancy tax impacts, parking waivers and alternatives such as caps or a lottery system.

The Santa Barbara City Planning Commission is taking a bold step to address short-term rental concerns with a new ordinance that could reshape neighborhoods and tourism—will it strike the right balance?

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1 month ago

City consultant models EIFD scenarios; staff recommends Measure C debt route and committee directs staff not to pursue EIFD now Consultants presented EIFD (Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District) models showing $46M (city-only) to $77.7M (with 50% county participation) in illustrative funding over 10 years. Staff recommended using Measure C debt financing instead; the committee unanimously directed staff not to pursue an EIFD at this time and to explore Measure C options and county partnerships.

A new analysis reveals that an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District could unlock up to $77.7 million for affordable housing and infrastructure, but the committee has opted for a safer financing route instead.

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1 month ago

Committee opts not to form an IFD now, asks staff to pursue alternatives and report back After reviewing scenarios for an Improved Financing District to fund affordable housing, the Finance Committee directed staff not to form an IFD at this time and to continue exploring Measure C debt and county partnerships; the committee emphasized timing, project readiness and risk to the general fund.

After a thorough review of financing models for affordable housing, the committee decided against forming an Improved Financing District, opting instead to explore alternative funding methods.

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1 month ago

Council approves tenant‑based rental assistance funding; staff urged to plan for federal policy shifts Council approved consent transfers to continue the tenant‑based rental assistance program and asked staff to coordinate with housing providers, philanthropy and business partners to brace for federal policy changes that may affect mixed‑status households.

The Santa Barbara City Council has taken a crucial step to secure tenant-based rental assistance, but looming federal policy changes could put hundreds of households at risk—what's being done to protect them?

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1 month ago

Council receives FY26 second‑quarter budget review, approves staff recommendations and two resolutions City finance staff outlined projected structural deficits, reserve depletion risks (reserves projected to exhaust by FY2028), and potential revenue options including a property transfer tax and a transient occupancy tax increase; Councilmember Jordan moved to adopt staff recommendations and two resolutions and the motion passed unanimously of those present (Councilmember Harmon absent).

Santa Barbara faces a looming budget crisis with reserves at risk of depletion by 2028, prompting urgent discussions on potential tax increases and spending adjustments.

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1 month ago

Residents urge Santa Barbara City Council to clarify police response to ICE activity and expand services for trafficking survivors Multiple public commenters told the council that local police are not adequately protecting residents from ICE operations and trafficking, asked the council to adopt clear policies and to invest in survivor‑centered services; staff said a prior resolution will be reimplemented and staff will study protocol updates.

Santa Barbara residents are demanding action as concerns about police collaboration with ICE grow, calling for stronger protections and investment in survivor services.

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1 month ago

Santa Barbara council hears widening budget gap, approves Q2 adjustments and budget schedule City staff warned of a structural general‑fund shortfall and projected reserve depletion by fiscal 2028; the council accepted Q2 budget adjustments and directed staff to refine options including potential revenue measures for a Nov. 2026 ballot.

Santa Barbara's City Council faces a staggering $5.9 million deficit and warns that without action, reserves could vanish by 2028—what's next for the city's budget?

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1 month ago

Residents press Santa Barbara council on ICE encounters; staff to return with updated police/immigration protocol Multiple public commenters described alleged ICE incidents and urged the council to adopt binding policies limiting local cooperation; staff said a resolution clarifying police protocols will return to council on March 10 for further public input.

Santa Barbara residents are demanding changes to local policies after witnessing troubling interactions between ICE agents and community members, urging the City Council for increased transparency and accountability.

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1 month ago

Santa Barbara finance committee flags widening budget gap, advances revenue options including transfer tax City staff told the Finance Committee the general fund faces a structural deficit that could exhaust reserves by FY2028 and recommended a package of midyear adjustments and revenue options—including a property transfer tax, temporary fee increases and targeted cannabis-tax changes—to help close the gap.

Santa Barbara is facing a looming budget crisis that could drain its reserves by 2028, prompting city officials to propose urgent revenue measures including a new property transfer tax.

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#SantaBarbaraCitySantaBarbaraCounty #CA #BudgetDeficit #CommunityImpact #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Director's report: production steady, Cater Reservoir bids high; desal plant curtailed through October to pursue maintenance Staff reported steady production, higher-than-expected bids for the Cater Reservoir resiliency project (average ~$42 million, about 40% over engineers' estimate), a plan to idle the desalination plant until October for capital work, and estimated energy and chemical savings of roughly $1.0 million during the curtailment.

Santa Barbara's water commission faces rising costs with Cater Reservoir bids soaring 40% above estimates, while savings from curtailing the desalination plant could hit $1 million!

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1 month ago

Santa Barbara staff present lower 2025 water demand baseline and seven-scenario demand envelope City staff told the Water Commission the 2025 urban water management plan baseline projects lower potable demand than the 2020 baseline and introduced a seven-scenario demand envelope that ranges from a 15% decrease to a 31% increase relative to baseline by 2050. The UWMP is due July 1, 2025.

Santa Barbara's new water management plan reveals a significant drop in projected demand, but uncertainty looms with seven possible future scenarios by 2050.

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#SantaBarbaraCitySantaBarbaraCounty #CA #WaterConservation #ClimateAdaptation #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning

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1 month ago

Commission backs recommendation for mayor to seek state, federal funding after presentation on California Aqueduct subsidence Staff told the Water Commission that subsidence has already reduced roughly 44% of capacity in affected reaches of the California Aqueduct and that DWR estimates capacity loss could reach 87% in 10 years without repairs; commissioners voted to recommend the mayor seek state and federal funding for repairs estimated at about $3.9 billion over 10 years.

The California Aqueduct is facing a crisis, with subsidence already slashing capacity by 44% and projected to hit 87% in just 10 years—urgent action is needed to secure our water supply!

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1 month ago

City staff: 1,942 ADA transition findings complete; 1,632 remain as city advances signage, doors and City Hall work City staff reported substantial progress on Santa Barbara's ADA transition plan, saying 1,942 findings are complete and 1,632 remain; interior signage work and door maintenance are underway while City Hall elevator and larger structural items await design, permits and funding.

Santa Barbara is making strides in its ADA transition plan, with 1,942 findings completed, but 1,632 crucial tasks still await design and funding!

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1 month ago

Commercial fishermen urge Harbor Commission to act on state MPA petitions; commission to consider drafting letter At public comment, representatives of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara warned that several petitions to modify marine protected areas could severely restrict local fishing access. Commissioners discussed next steps, including drafting a letter for the Fish and Game Commission and coordinating with city council and the commercial fishing work group.

Commercial fishermen in Santa Barbara are sounding the alarm over proposed changes to marine protected areas that could threaten their livelihoods—are you ready to dive into the details?

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1 month ago

Harbor Commission recommends negotiations with Corazon Sal de Mar for Anchor Rose downstairs space The Harbor Commission voted unanimously Feb. 20 to recommend city council begin lease negotiations with Corazon Sal de Mar for the 2,954‑square‑foot downstairs restaurant at 113 Harbor Way (former Anchor Rose). Staff said Corazon scored highest in an RFP review and projects substantial investment; final financial and credit documents will be verified during negotiation.

The Santa Barbara Harbor Commission has taken a bold step towards revitalizing the waterfront by recommending lease negotiations for a new elevated Mexican-seafood restaurant at the former Anchor Rose location!

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1 month ago

Santa Barbara Airport committee reviews climate adaptation plan emphasizing near-term flood measures City staff and consultants presented a draft climate adaptation plan for Santa Barbara Airport focused on near-term measures — berms, floodplain restoration and channel improvements — to reduce increasingly frequent storm flooding; the plan calls for costing three priority actions and further feasibility studies.

Santa Barbara Airport is taking bold steps to combat increasing flood risks with a new Climate Adaptation Plan that prioritizes immediate action!

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2 months ago

Committee hears CIP update: State Street repairs, Lot work and upcoming structures assessment Project planner Chelsea Swanson updated the Downtown Parking Committee on recent and planned capital projects including State Street brick repairs, Lot 5 repaving, Lot 9 safety work, ADA work at the depot lot tied to a DOJ review, and a forthcoming parking-structures assessment to inform the five-year CIP.

The Downtown Parking Committee is gearing up for major improvements, including State Street repairs and a comprehensive assessment of parking structures to enhance our city’s accessibility and efficiency!

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2 months ago

Santa Barbara committee eyes pay-by-plate pilot for Depot Lot to reduce exit queues and cut staffing costs Staff proposed converting Lot 13 (the Depot Lot) from gated kiosks to a pay-by-plate/pay-by-phone model as a near-term experiment to improve circulation, reduce kiosk staffing costs and better serve Amtrak and bus users. The committee asked about pricing, enforcement and impacts on long-term parkers.

Santa Barbara's Downtown Parking Committee is considering a bold shift to a pay-by-plate system for Lot 13, aiming to reduce congestion and cut costs—could this transformation reshape downtown parking as we know it?

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2 months ago

South Coast Chamber presents five‑year strategic plan and starts economic development foundation The South Coast Chamber of Commerce unveiled a five‑year strategic plan and announced formation of a Santa Barbara Economic Development Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) to expand workforce development, streamline permitting input and gather local economic data to support business retention and growth across the region.

The South Coast Chamber of Commerce has launched an ambitious five-year plan to transform Santa Barbara's economy, creating a foundation to boost workforce development and streamline business growth.

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2 months ago

Santa Barbara council adopts wide‑ranging single‑use materials ordinance, including Mylar balloon and polystyrene limits The City Council approved an update to local single‑use materials rules that expands polystyrene restrictions, sets compostability standards for disposable foodware, limits small single‑use water bottles in retail, bans Mylar balloons and plastic/mylar confetti at sale or distribution in the city, and phases in reusable foodware requirements with exemptions and assistance for businesses.

Santa Barbara is taking a bold step to protect its environment by banning Mylar balloons and expanding restrictions on single-use plastics!

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2 months ago

Santa Barbara council adopts expanded single‑use materials ordinance after public debate The Santa Barbara City Council on Feb. 10 adopted an ordinance updating municipal code to broaden prohibitions on expanded polystyrene and single‑use items, add compostable foodware standards, restrict small single‑use water bottles on city property and ban certain balloons and plastic confetti; staff announced grants and phased enforcement.

Santa Barbara is taking a bold step towards sustainability by banning single-use plastics and introducing new regulations to support local businesses in their transition!

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2 months ago

Citizen Portal News California (@citizenptnewsca.bsky.social) Santa Barbara City Council's bold move to modernize contract approvals could reshape the future of city projects—are you ready for the change? Click to read more! #SantaBarbaraCitySantaBarbaraCounty...

Santa Barbara City Council's bold move to modernize contract approvals could reshape the future of city projects—are you ready for the change?

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2 months ago

Santa Barbara launches "On Your Impact" campaign to boost resident climate actions The city introduced a 10-month "On Your Impact" challenge in March, offering monthly topics, pledge forms, digital badges and bilingual outreach to encourage simple, measurable resident behavior changes and neighborhood participation.

Santa Barbara is launching an exciting 10-month campaign, "On Your Impact," designed to inspire residents to take tangible climate actions with engaging incentives and community participation!

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2 months ago

Appeals board declines hardship waiver for 1165 Coast Village Road, directs accessible route from Coast Village Road The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals declined to ratify the building official's hardship determination for permit BLD2025-00295 at 1165 Coast Village Road and directed the building official to require a compliant accessible route from Coast Village Road to the altered lower-level suites under CBC Chapter 11B.

The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals has refused to grant a hardship waiver, mandating an accessible route for a controversial project that could cost the owner up to 86% of the build-out budget.

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