Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta’s Newly Adopted Zoning Ordinance is Online

We are pleased to report that the City’s New Zoning Ordinance (NZO) is now available online for use. The NZO, now referred to as Title 17 of the Goleta Municipal Code, went into effect in April 2020, replacing old zoning regulations. The online, codified Title 17 is searchable and includes internal hyperlinks. There are also external hyperlinks to other government code citations. Navigating our land use regulations with this online platform is simplified and easier than ever before! Click here to check it out. Learn more about the City’s New Zoning Ordinance at http://www.goletazoning.com/.

Virtual Open House on Refugio Beach Oil Spill Restoration Proposals

As part of the settlement of the 2015 Refugio Beach Oil Spill, state and federal trustee agencies for natural resources are holding a virtual open house on May 13, 2020 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. At the meeting, the trustees will provide information and accept feedback on proposed restoration projects presented in the Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan.

During these virtual public meetings, the draft plan will be outlined, followed by a written question and answer session. Written public comments will also be accepted.

The draft plan describes the injuries to birds, marine mammals, subtidal and shoreline habitats and human use impacts resulting from the Refugio Beach Oil Spill. The plan also identifies restoration projects to restore injured wildlife and habitats, and to compensate the public for lost recreation. The agreed settlement with Plains All-American Pipeline to restore natural resources totaled $22.3 million. 

Written comments on the DARP must be postmarked by June 8, 2020, to be considered part of the official record. Comments should be sent by email or letter to:

Refugio Beach Oil Spill Natural Resource Trustees
C/O Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office
2493 Portola Road, Suite B
Ventura, CA  93004 
Attn:
Michael Anderson, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Jenny Marek, United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

The natural resource trustee agencies include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California State Lands Commission and the Regents of the University of California.

Each trustee agency has authorization to act on behalf of the public under state and/or federal law to assess and recover natural resource damages and to plan and implement actions to restore, rehabilitate, replace, or acquire the equivalent of the affected natural resources injured as a result of an oil spill.

Background 

On May 19, 2015, a pipeline owned and operated by Plains All American Pipeline ruptured releasing approximately 120,000 gallons of oil along the Santa Barbara coastline, 50,000 of which entered the ocean. The incident heavily oiled beaches in the area including Refugio and El Capitan state beaches, injuring wildlife and their habitat and fisheries, in addition to loss of recreation use. Wind and oil currents pushed the oil to Ventura and as far south as Los Angeles County.

For more information contact Eric Laughlin, California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 214-3279 or Ashley McConnell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (805) 677-3301.

Every day is Earth Day

Last month we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when 20 million Americans took to the streets to demonstrate against the impacts that 150 years of industrialism had on the country. A lot has changed since April 22, 1970, and the focus of this battle has shifted to the climate crisis, with the stakes getting higher every year. Although we could not physically mobilize together this year, the heart of the cause and our duty to do our part for the Earth remains the same.

There are many ways that you can continue to help our planet from your home or while maintaining physical distancing rules:

  1. Plant a home garden or a tree. Planting produce at home is a fun activity and can save you a future trip to the store, helps pollinators, and provides cleaner air. But make sure to avoid harmful pesticides.
  2. Buy local produce. This not only helps reduce pollution incurred by transporting goods a long distance, but also supports local business in this trying time.
  3. Throw away less. Ideas include skipping the plastic utensils when you order takeout, only buying what you’ll use, and recycling and composting when you can.
  4. Host a solo clean-up day. Picking up litter locally is a great way to remain physically active. Remember to put on your gloves, mask, and maintain a safe physical distance.
  5. Donate if you are able to. Research your favorite environmental organization and contribute to their work.
  6. Learn and share the knowledge. With more free time on our hands, now is the perfect time to read up on environmental issues and solutions.

Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Just Got Easier

The City is another step closer to reaching its 100% renewable energy goals. On April 21, the Goleta City Council unanimously voted to streamline the permit process for installing new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations. The new ordinance was adopted the day before Earth Day, apt timing as this action makes it easier to install electric vehicle charging equipment and moves the City one step closer to reaching its 100% Renewable Energy Goals. The transportation sector remains California’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 40% of the state’s total. Goleta’s action will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and help the City, its residents, and businesses, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our region.

This action will amend the City’s building code to streamline the process of obtaining permits to install charging stations for single-family homes, multi-family apartments, businesses, and government buildings by allowing electronic submittal of applications and minimizing review time. Goleta is now compliant with AB 1236, a state law meant to remove obstacles and minimize costs for permitting charging equipment. While less than 15% of jurisdictions throughout California have adopted such regulations, the new ordinance qualifies Goleta as “EV Permit Ready” under the state’s designation making Goleta and our partners in the county eligible for up to $4 million in California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) funds pending California Energy Commission selection.

The new ordinance goes into effect on May 22, 2020. Please find more information about application submittal requirements and the ordinance here.

The newest charging stations to be added to Goleta are the twelve Tesla superchargers that were installed in late April at the Camino Real Marketplace.

Thank You to Our Amazing Public Works Department

May 17-23, 2020, is National Public Works Week and a great opportunity to thank our talented Public Works Department. This group of 25 dedicated employees are responsible for the City’s infrastructure, parks and open spaces, street maintenance, storm water management, solid waste and environmental services, and engineering. Learn more about each division here, and watch this video where Public Works Director and City Engineer Charlie Ebeling gives an overview of the department.

The City of Goleta’s Public Works department works hard year-round to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Goleta. Every time you travel on a city street, take a stroll on the sidewalk, or spend some time at one of the many parks and opens spaces in our City, you are surrounded by the services provided by the Public Works department.  From constructing, cleaning, repairing, and maintaining city streets and sidewalks to creating and maintaining the parks and open spaces, Public Works is all around you.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Public Works department has kept up the highest level of service while many have transferred to working remote. The Maintenance Crew is continuing their essential work in the community. In doing so, the Public Works Department has implemented a number of safety precautions for the protection and the safety of its Maintenance Crew and the community.

City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “Public Safety includes operating and maintaining public infrastructure and facilities such as roadways, bridges, traffic signals, storm drain systems and many other public facilities. Public Works staff is grateful for the opportunity to provide these types of services to the Public and we take pride in the positive impacts Public Works has when the City’s infrastructure operates in a safe and efficient manner for the Public.”

Ultimately, in conformance with the State of California Governor’s Orders, the Department of Public Works will continue to perform important maintenance work that addresses Public Safety. The Maintenance Workers and all Public Works staff will continue to meet all safety regulations with safety being the highest priority.

Thank you, Public Works Department, for all you do for the community and adjusting in order to continue serving the community in these uncertain times.

Caltrans Seeking Public Comment Regarding Two Separate Bridge Replacement Projects

Caltrans is requesting feedback on two project which impact the City of Goleta. The public comment period is open regarding the environmental documents for two separate Caltrans Bridge Replacement Projects.  The first project location is on Highway 217 crossing over San Jose Creek and the second project location is on Highway 101 crossing over San Jose Creek.  The bridge projects are in the vicinity, and will be coordinated with, the City of Goleta’s CIP Project No. 9006 San Jose Creek Bike Path Project.

Caltrans is requesting feedback for both of these bridge projects, comments are due by May 27, 2020.  There will be no public meetings due to the COVID-19 Stay at Home order.  Website links to both projects are listed below and residents are encouraged to visit the websites for detailed project information.

State Route 217 San Jose Creek Bridge Replacement Project

The project would replace the existing State Route 217 bridge over San Jose Creek with a wider one that would provide standard lane and shoulder widths and a standard 10-foot-wide separated bicycle and pedestrian path on the northbound side (Atascadero Creek Trail).

Learn more about the project and view the Initial Study with a Proposed Mitigative Negative Declaration here.

San Jose Creek Bridge Replacement on US Route 101

The project will replace the existing northbound and southbound San Jose Creek bridges on U.S. 101 with a new single-span bridge.  

Learn more about the project and view the Initial Study with a Proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Assessment here.

Again, responses for both locations are due by May 27, 2020. Written comments can be submitted to Caltrans, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401, Attn: Senior Environmental Planner Matt Fowler. Comments can also be emailed to Matt Fowler at matt.fowler@dot.ca.gov or by calling (805) 542-4603.

More information on Caltrans District 5 is available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5.

Old Town Sidewalk Project Wraps-Up Phase One

The City of Goleta is pleased to report that the Old Town Sidewalk Improvement Project is wrapping up the first of five phases of construction with the sidewalk completion of the blocks of Orange and Magnolia Avenues north of Mandarin and Armitos Avenues. The sidewalks, curb, and gutter have been installed and residents are already using them in this current time of stay at home orders.

The final paving work and construction of the angled parking area was just completed for Magnolia Avenue. This will add much desired and needed parking for Old Town. The final grinding and paving on Orange and Armitos Avenues will be done at the end of overall construction for seamless pavement.

The next phase (Phase 2) is anticipated to be a staggered start. Work recently began on S. Fairview Avenue, and work on the block of Aguila Avenue is anticipated to start once soils are dry and the base paving is completed on Armitos Avenue. Work on Mandarin Avenue between Orange and Magnolia Avenues is anticipated to start next week. Construction for Phase 2 is anticipated to take 4-6 weeks before beginning Phase 3.

We continue to ask for your patience in dealing with the closed streets, construction noise, and disruptions to your lives while we bring you these much needed safety improvements. We are thankful to have Filippin Engineering performing the construction management and inspection, and to Toro Enterprises performing the construction work. Through the current process the teams have revised their health and safety protocols to implement safer work practices. These new practices allow the City and teams to continue to bring our community the much needed sidewalk safety improvements while keeping the community and the contractors safe during this pandemic.

We will continue to provide updates on the project at tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW, including an estimated schedule of work for the current and future phases. Please feel free to email sidewalks@cityofgoleta.org, or call the Construction Manager at 805.450.7949, with any questions you may have.

Thank you again for your continued patience during our construction activities.

Ways to Volunteer

Goleta is a caring community, and there has never been a time that we need each more than now. Check on your neighbors, specifically the most vulnerable, to see if they need help. You may be able to pick up groceries for them or set them up with technology. Please remember to follow social distancing guidelines. You can also keep in touch with family and friends through text messages and video chat.

The County of Santa Barbara is in search of community members who would like to utilize their wisdom and talents by volunteering for various COVID-19 related projects. Volunteer assignments will be based on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of each individual volunteer and may include supporting emergency shelters, food distribution call centers, alternative care sites or other emerging needs. 

Community members interested in volunteering can sign up by completing the Volunteer Registration Form found on the Santa Barbara County Public Health portal and emailing the completed form to EOCLogistics@santabarbaraca.gov or by contacting the Santa Barbara City CERT Spontaneous Volunteer Center, Monday through Friday from 10am – 2pm @ (805) 564-5780 to sign-up over the telephone.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations are also being accepted. Learn more here: https://publichealthsbc.org/volunteering-and-donations/.

Additional volunteer opportunities available in Goleta include:

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is working to ensure the nutritional health of all residents of Santa Barbara County as our community battles COVID-19. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available, including:

  • Help assemble pre-packed bags of food to be distributed to our community.
  • Help manage and receive disaster related inquiries from community members by phone. Bilingual volunteers are preferred.
  • Pick up donated food and bread from local grocery stores. 
  • Assist with the packing and distribution of food at our new SAFE Food Net distribution sites.
  • Able and willing to make face masks at home and drop them off at warehouse locations. Masks should meet CDC requirements and be in a plastic bag when dropped off.

Learn more and create a volunteer account at https://foodbanksbc.org/give-help/volunteer/.

United Boys & Girls Clubs
United Boys and Girls Clubs are a Food Bank Distribution site during this time. They could use volunteers to help bag canned goods. The Goleta location (5701 Hollister Ave) has two shifts: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If you can help, please contact Tina Ballue at tballue@unitedbg.org or Kate Newbury at knewbury@foodbanksbc.org.

Bucket Brigade

Donate blood
Urgent shortage: donors needed. If you are healthy and able please consider donating blood now. As this disease continues to spread there will be significantly less people able to donate.

Statewide Opportunities
California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new website (https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/) where Californians can sign up to lend a helping hand during the pandemic through organizations like Red Cross, United Way and the California Food Banks Association. Other opportunities to volunteer include tutoring, fielding 211 calls, making face coverings, volunteering at shelters, calling to check in on seniors, translating and helping with tax prep.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month falls at a time when many of us can use some extra support. The stress and anxiety of COVID-19 has put a new kind of pressure on us. It’s more important than ever that we take care of our emotional well-being during this time. If you or someone you know needs help, Santa Barbara County’s Behavioral Wellness has services that can help and a 24 hour hotline: 888-868-1649.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has put together the following strategies for coping with isolation:

  • Practicing mindfulness and relaxation exercises
  • Stay connected by phone and electronically
  • Keep current connections strong
  • Stay informed through reliable sources
  • Limit your screen time
  • Eat healthy and drink plenty of water
  • Call elderly and house-bound friends and neighbors to see how they are feeling. Bring them meals and special treats, being mindful of their vulnerability and susceptibility.
  • Play board games with your kids
  • Read to your children and have them read to you
  • Take on a home project, paint that wall that you have been thinking about
  • Work in the garden
  • Have push-up contests or do yoga together
  • Make special meals and involve the whole family, eat healthy!
  • Order in meals from favorite restaurants that you don’t think normally do takeout
  • Get outside – go for walks, runs, and hikes (maintain social distancing)
  • Assign someone at work as your Morale Officer to focus on your team’s wellness

Learn more at https://publichealthsbc.org/emotional-wellness/.

Keep Sending us Your #GoodLandGoodPeople Photos

Thank you to everyone who has sent us photos for our #GoodLandGoodPeople campaign! We have received so many fantastic pictures of all the great things people are doing to help one another and stay sane during the COVID-19 pandemic and Stay at Home order. Please continue to share your #GoodLandGoodPeople images with us. We are looking for three types of photos:

  • Creative ways you and your family are working/schooling/playing/staying busy during the Stay at Home Order.
  • People in our Goleta community we can pay tribute to for helping others during this time. This includes medical professionals, grocery store workers, first responders and more.
  • Uplifting images from our community that will make us smile.

To participate, email your photo and a brief description/caption to PIO@CityofGoleta.org. Follow us on Facebook (@CityofGoleta) and Instagram (@CityofGoleta) to see the great photos we have already shared and to see what’s next. Feel free to share your photos on your social media accounts as well and use the hashtag #GoodLandGoodPeople.

Thanks for helping us spread some happiness and humor to keep us all going!