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MON DAY, M A RC H 29, 2 0 21
Busy weekend on State Street Businesses see an increase in foot traffic
Council to explore building size standards By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara City Council will receive an update from staff on the development of new building-size standards for multi-unit housing based on lot size. This shift will allow a maximum building size rather than the previous maximum number of units per lot, otherwise known as floor-to-lot area ratio. “The intent of the proposed building size standards is to present consistency in community design, provide sensitivity to the city’s historic resources, clarify community expectations and expand opportunities for additional, smaller housing units,” the staff report said. A working group held an online workshop for the community to provide feedback on building sizes in different parts of the city. The mapping exercise showed pictures of various building sizes and allowed the registrants to drop
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Skye Smith, left, a sales associate who usually works at the Thousand Oaks location, helps out Sunday afternoon at Brandy Melville, 939 State St. Ashlyn Gardner, who opens and closes the storefront, rings up a customer.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Foot traffic on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara increased throughout March’s weekends, and business along the promenade is increasing. Sunday, the sidewalks were crowded as tourists and locals peered through windows and browsed the racks. People posed in crosswalks dressed in their Sunday’s best while friends leaned back to capture the shot.
It’s a welcome change, one that gives businesses hope for the future. State Street business owners previously told the News-Press that they felt a change President’s Day weekend and were starting to see pre-pandemic levels of business. Nationwide, the amount Americans spent on goods in February 2021 was 10% higher than February 2020, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
But clothing and footwear sales were down 3% compared to February 2020. The data also showed a 5% decrease in sales in the service industry, with food services and accommodations taking a 19% hit. One State Street business, Creamistry at 935 State St. changed ownership Feb. 28, 2020. David Lee and his wife purchased the ice cream shop from its old owners, excited for the investment. When the pandemic hit weeks later, they
lowered their expectations. Their plans to move into town were tabled for a bit, so they commute everyday from Thousand Oaks. “Somehow we survived so far, and we’re looking forward,” Mr. Lee said. He and his wife recently hired new employees after seeing business increase and the weather heat up. “I’m really looking at the stats Please see state st. on A8
Foot traffic on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara Sunday shows a notable increase.
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email: gmccormick@newspress.com
Complaint filed against opponents of Cold Spring bond measure District files lawsuit against parent By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Jennifer Miller, a trustee at the Cold Spring School District, filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission after a group campaigned against Cold Spring’s L2020 Bond Measure during the November 2020 election. The Fair Political Practices Commission received the complaint March 24 and has 14 days to decide if it will open a case. The group operated by two names, Taxpayers for Responsible School Spending and Our Students Deserve Better Committee. The complaint alleges that the organizations did not properly file a statement of organization with the FPPC or report expenditures. Committees must register with the FPPC and report contributions and expenditures if they receive at least $2,000 in contributions or spend $1,000 in expenditures. The complaint points to a halfpage ad in the Montecito Journal, mailers, postcards and yard signs as expenditures. Yuri Calderon, chief business official and general counsel for Cold Spring, board member Gabrielle Haas and Dylan Johnson, Cold Spring parent, verified the letter of complaint. The L2020 campaign resulted in a vote of almost 52% in favor of the bond measure, but it needed 55% to pass. Cold Spring School District, which operates an elementary school in Montecito, filed a lawsuit March 10 against Amanda Rowan, alleging workplace harassment.
(Ms. Rowan filed editorials with local media outlets during the November election strongly opposed to L2020.) The district’s board of trustees released a statement March 17 regarding legal expenditures of $100,00. The statement does not identify the party in question, just labels them “the parent.” The statement points to a September 2020 incident in which Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina called a parent “in the ordinary course of managing the school environment.” After the conversation, the parent retained Tim Cary of the local law firm of Price, Postell & Parma, LLP. Mr. Cary sent the district a cease-and-desist letter Nov. 13. From Dec. 10 to March 15, Mr. Cary submitted five requests for public records of a broad scope, including video surveillance. The district states it has produced several hundred records and is still using resources to fulfill his demand. The parent continued to file complaints, one directed at Dr. Alzina, and another cease-anddesist letter. March 8, the district received a letter from a lawyer representing the California Teachers Association, stating a negative effect on morale and feelings of safety regarding the incident. In the case against Ms. Rowan, the district seeks protection for four parties, including two teachers, an office assistant and a teacher’s husband who helps out with the classroom. email: ahanshaw@newspress.com
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pins to mark on an interactive map where these building sizes were appropriate. Staff will then merge that information with other proposed amendments to the Municipal Code to implement the new citywide standards for apartment and condominium development. The goal is to replace the current Average Unit-Size Density Incentive (AUD) Program, which expires on Aug. 31, 2021. Staff expects an economic analysis that considers these related work efforts together to cost approximately $60,000. In addition, on Tuesday morning, the council will hold a special closed meeting to discuss the appointment for the position of Fire Chief. The closed session will take place at 11:30 a.m. followed by the regular council meeting at 2 p.m., which can be viewed on City TV Channel 18 or streamed live at www.santabarbaraca.gov/cap.
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Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 11-12-20-27-45 Meganumber: 6
Friday’s DAILY 4: 0-9-1-1
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 4-25-37-46-67 Meganumber: 15
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 2-24-29-34-37
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 05-04-11 Time: 1:41.82
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 6-14-38-39-65 Meganumber: 6
Friday’s DAILY 3: 7-6-9 / Sunday’s Midday 2-3-2