Beach access project needs alternative plant species, more trees, SBAR says Santa

Claus Lane project receives preliminary approval

BY JUN STARKEY

The Santa Barbara County South Board of Architectural Review (SBAR) granted preliminary approval for the Santa Claus Lane Beach Access and Streetscape Improvement Project last week. The project will be brought back for final approval once the applicants address board concerns about plant species and planters in the parking area.

The Santa Claus Lane Streetscape Improvement Project is a collaborative effort between Santa Barbara County and Caltrans, to improve pedestrian, bike and coastal access. The project includes a crossway for pedestrians to cross the railroad tracks and safely access the beach, a bike path from Sand Point Road to Padaro Lane, enhanced parking along Santa Claus Lane and a roundabout at the east end of Santa Claus Lane.

The entire project stretches across a half-mile area broken into two parts: the West End, known as the beach access side, which stretches from Padaro Lane to the first residence along the road; and the East End, the business district side of Santa Claus Lane, which will encompass the business area along the road up until Sand Point Road.

The project also includes public restrooms, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, retaining walls and fences.

The project was approved by the California Transportation Commission in 2018, and has been reviewed by several local governing bodies, including the

SBAR in June 2019 and the South County Board of Architectural Review in August 2022.

At Friday’s meeting, staff reviewed comments made about the project at the board’s June 2019 meeting, and what steps had been taken to address con - cerns. These concerns included requests for landscape relief along sidewalks and retaining walls, additional planters between parking spaces, design drawings of restrooms with proposed light fixtures, exterior restroom lighting, additional light fixtures along the beach access area,

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