Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Holding Pattern for Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans

On September 3, 2019, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) presented a draft of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans to the Goleta City Council. The plans are for all Santa Barbara County airports, including Santa Barbara Airport. At this time, the project is in a holding pattern until SBCAG and member agency staff, including in particular the City of Goleta and Santa Barbara County, can resolve outstanding issues regarding the draft plans that were presented.

The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCP) designates compatible land uses around public use airports in Santa Barbara County and has an important role in assuring safety around airports. However, the plan in its draft form would have significant impacts on allowable land uses within City of Goleta limits, and would have the practical effect of rendering many existing uses non-conforming to the current General Plan or zoning requirements. In limiting future development potential, the draft ALUCP would also have the effect of displacing growth and planned residential density contemplated by the City’s General Plan to other areas.  

On September 19, 2019, the SBCAG Board delayed any action to approve Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans to allow time to resolve some of the outstanding issues.

There’s No Place Like Home

City Hall is in the final stretch of securing a permanent home. The City is in escrow to buy the entire two-story building where we are currently renting at 130 Cremona Drive. Once the transaction is complete, the City will acquire a portion of an existing 5.3 acre parcel. That portion of land will become its own 2.3 acre parcel as a result of the transaction and include the two-story building which is approximately 39,718 square feet. The City currently occupies about 66% of that space and will be undergoing a space needs analysis to determine how to best use the additional 13,323 square feet. Future plans for the building will include the installation of an elevator. The purchase price under the original agreement was $11,515,400, however the actual purchase price will be slightly less at about $11,476,700 as a result of a property condition credit to the City.

The acquisition will put the City in the position of owning a sizable asset as an owner rather than the obligation of lease payments owed to a private property owner as a tenant. The cost of purchasing versus leasing is estimated to save the City about $64,000 in the first year and the savings would continue to increase in the future. While there are a few details that need to be ironed out, escrow is expected to close by November 15, 2019. We will keep you posted and hope to officially announce 130 Cremona Drive as our permanent home soon.

Boo! Parking Restrictions Return for Halloween

Halloween not only brings trick-or-treaters to areas of Goleta, but also extra visitors to Isla Vista. To ease the impacts on residents, the City’s resident-only parking program will return from Thursday, October 31, to Sunday, November 3, for the neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista. Since Halloween is on a Thursday this year, the permits will be valid for an additional night. The parking permit program has been in effect since 2014, and has been a success thanks to the collaboration of residents, law enforcement, and the City.

Households in the affected areas will receive two permits in their mailbox by October 22, 2019. Affected areas include: University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods, including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The boundaries are: Cannon Green Drive to the west, Hollister Avenue to the north, Storke Road to the east and Whittier Drive to the south. The parking permits are required to be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window during the restricted hours (see below). Signage will be posted on the streets in advance to remind drivers, and electronic message boards will be at several entrances to the University 1 and 2 neighborhoods. Vehicles not displaying the appropriate permit will be subject to ticketing and/or towing. Parking restrictions are for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, when most party-goers are expected to be in the area:

  • 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 31, 2019, to 7:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2019
  • 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2019, to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019
  • 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019, to 7:00 a.m. Sunday, November 3, 2019

The overnight parking restrictions will not affect AYSO soccer games or others visiting Girsh Park over Halloween weekend. If you live in the area designated to receive a parking permit, and do not receive yours by October 22, please contact the City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Department at 805-690-5119 to make arrangements for a replacement.

For a map of the affected area and additional information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/halloweenparking.

Celebrate Goleta’s Newest Recreation Area Tomorrow, October 2!

A new recreation area is coming to Goleta! Join the City tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2, for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated multi-purpose athletic field behind the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) and next to the Boys & Girls Club. Join us from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. for activity stations, information booths, and speeches from Mayor Paula Perotte, the Project Team, and stakeholders. 

Gophers had made the field a popular hangout spot for themselves, so the City decided to take it back for the community’s use. The renovation was made possible through a Housing Related Parks Program grant worth just over $250,000 from the State of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, and nearly $250,000 in City funds.

The City broke ground on this one-acre project on June 19, and we can’t wait for people to begin using it! The project includes a new natural grass turf with gopher mesh for the field, new irrigation, a walking perimeter path, and a fitness station. This new recreation space is a great addition for the entire community, the hundreds of children who attend the Goleta Boys & Girls Club each day, and those who use the Goleta Valley Community Center.

We hope you can join us for this family-friendly event!

Homeless Encampment Clean-Up in Goleta

The City of Goleta coordinated a multi-agency effort in September to clean-up homeless encampments, trash, and debris found within the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owned rail corridor. The rail corridor goes through Goleta City limits, spanning just west of the Cathedral Oaks Overpass to Patterson Avenue. Over the four day operation, more than 12 roll off dumpsters full of debris were removed.

The clean-up efforts are consistent with the goals to reduce fatalities, safety hazards and future fires from occurring in and around the railway corridor going through Goleta, as found in the recent Santa Barbara County Grand Jury Report on Railway Safety. This is accomplished by closely working with property owner Union Pacific Railroad and allied agencies including: UPRR Police, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, Goleta Police Department/Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, MarBorg Industries, Homeless Services within the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, and the City of Goleta’s Public Works Department. 

Representatives from Santa Barbara County Behavior Wellness were present during the clean-up effort to offer shelter and services to homeless individuals they came into contact with. The City is working on our first ever Homeless Strategic Plan which will be finalized by next summer. We will be reaching out to the community for input, so stay tuned.

Goleta City Council Meetings Now Beginning at 5:30 p.m.!

Beginning tonight, October 1, Goleta City Council meeting times will start at 5:30 p.m. Closed session will be held at 4:00 p.m. Meetings will remain on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Previously two sessions were held on meeting dates: afternoon (1:30 p.m.) and evening (6:00 p.m.), there will now only be one evening session (5:30 p.m.). The City is hopeful that holding City Council meetings after normal business hours will encourage more people to attend and participate in local government.

Attend meetings in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B). If you are unable to come in person, you can watch meetings live or at your convenience on the City’s website at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaMeetings. Council meetings are also aired live on Channel 19, and rebroadcast Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Find out ahead of time what Council will be discussing during the meeting. Sign up here to have agendas sent to your inbox or cell phone. Confirm the meeting date ahead of time on the City Calendar.

We hope to see you at an upcoming City Council meeting!

Photo: Linda Blue Photography
Back row left to right: Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, Councilmember James Kyriaco, Mayor Pro-Tempore Kyle Richards
Front row left to right: Councilmember Roger Aceves and Mayor Paula Perotte

 

Prepared, Not Scared

This September’s theme for National Preparedness Month is Prepared, Not Scared. Preparing yourself and loved ones for an emergency can be overwhelming. FEMA’s annual National Preparedness Month wants to help. Weekly themes for 2019 are:

  • Week 1: Save Early for Disaster Costs
  • Week 2: Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters
  • Week 3: Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters
  • Week 4: Get Involved in our Community’s Preparedness

Here are some things you can do right now to prepare for an emergency:

  • Sign up for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at www.ReadySBC.org.
  • Sign up for emergency information from the City of Goleta at http://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency.
  • Make an evacuation plan.
  • Have a battery-powered radio ready to listen to local radio stations if the power goes out. 
  • Be familiar with 211. Santa Barbara County’s 2-1-1 Helpline is the first point-of-access to all community services, including emergency information. A live person is available to answer questions 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and in multiple languages.
  • Finally, know your neighbors and look out for each other. Share verified information from trusted resources.

Follow the City of Goleta on Facebook (@CityofGoleta) and Twitter (@GoletaPIO) for tips throughout the month and visit www.ready.gov/september for more information.

Get ready for a Sweet Time at the 28th Annual Goleta Lemon Festival

One of Goleta’s largest celebrations, the Annual Goleta Lemon Festival, returns for its 28th year September 28 & 29, 2019, at Girsh Park (7050 Phelps Road). You’ll find wonderful food, a fantastic family atmosphere, and variety of entertainment and activities that have made this the most anticipated event in the Goleta Valley.

Local favorites Area 51 and Tequila Mockingbird will be rocking the main stage. The ever-popular ‘Safety Street’ is the largest interactive display of Fire, Police & Emergency Services in the County and will feature a variety of safety demonstrations. The weekend also includes the Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show. Don’t miss the pie-eating contests and arts and crafts vendors. Admission and parking are free.

The Lemon Festival is from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28 and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29. Get more information and purchase pre-sale kids activities wristbands for $5 off at www.LemonFestival.com. 

Creek Week Celebrates 20 Years

The 20th Annual Creek Week is September 21 – 28, 2019! It is an annual celebration of Santa Barbara South Coast’s creeks, watersheds, and the ocean. Throughout the week, local organizations host events to help build awareness and stewardship of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria’s natural treasures. Creek Week kicks off with Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21. Other events throughout the week include guided nature walks, project tours, restoration events, creek clean-ups, and more. Visit sbcreekweek.com, or like the event at www.facebook.com/SBCreekWeek, to stay up to date as events are added to the schedule.

Participate in this year’s coloring contest by clicking here for a printable coloring page. Share your completed artwork on Facebook or Instagram tagged with #sbcreekweek for a chance to win a fun prize!

Creek Week is coordinated by the City of Santa Barbara Creeks Division, County of Santa Barbara Project Clean Water, the City of Carpinteria, the City of Goleta, UCSB, and Explore Ecology.

2019 Lemon Run: Celebrating Elementary Education

The Goleta Education Foundation’s annual Lemon Run is Sunday, September 22 at Goleta Beach Park! This fun, congenial, community-building event supports the Goleta Education Foundation’s Innovation Grants. Innovation Grants are awarded annually to educators within the Goleta Union School District who bring inspiring, innovative, and engaging learning opportunities to elementary-aged students and their families. Learn more about the Goleta Education Foundation at www.goletaeducationfoundation.org.

Ready, set, get going at 8:00 a.m. with the 10K Grand Prix, followed by the 5K Jr. Grand Prix at 9:15 a.m. and the 1K Family Fun Run at 10:15 a.m. Races are on the flat and fast Obern Trail bike path, and are perfect for all ages and abilities. With prizes from local businesses, art for all ages, and food from local farms and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, you definitely want to lace up your shoes for this Goodland tradition! Register to run, walk or volunteer at the Lemon Run at https://runsignup.com/lemonrun2019.