6 Thursday, December 5, 2013
your views Coastal View News • Carpinteria, California
PLANNING: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
tion efforts had been deemed complete by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department in the mid 2000s. When construction begins, the county health department will monitor soils for any contamination in the areas where there had formerly been underground gas tanks. As approved, the 8,080-square-foot, two-story building will provide three fewer on-site parking spaces than required by city code. The developer commented that in order to provide adequate interior room for two retail spaces on the ground floor, an upstairs office and two one-bedroom apartments, there would only be enough space remaining on the lot to provide 12 parking spaces, two of which would be in one-car garages for the apartments. Architect Tray Burnell commented, “It’s not as simple as it seems sometimes to say just take away some building and add more parking. It would make it unfeasible.” Commissioner Jane Benefield felt the parking issue was a choice of the applicant, not a necessity. “They’re not unable to provide the parking spaces; they’re unwilling,” she commented. In the approved plans, the developer will have to pay parking impact fees of $5,000 each for the three spots. Before casting her vote of approval, Benefield said, “I think the building is very attractive. I like it… But, you’re on notice that I’m concerned about (the parking).” Representing applicant M3 Multifamily, John Martin commented that the 3,274-square-foot, upstairs office space will be used to relocate the apartment management company from Santa Barbara. “We would like to bring our business to Carpinteria; this is what this is all about,” Martin said. He said the additions of retail and residential components at the site were necessary to adhere with the downtown commercial zoning. He described the first floor retail locations as “a very attractive space,” and compared them to Crushcakes on Carpinteria Avenue. The spaces will be built as “retail shells” and eventually tailored to tenants’ needs. Planning Commissioner John Moyer was concerned that the retail space immediately at the corner of Carpinteria and Holly avenues “screams café or restaurant,” which would only increase parking demands at the site. An outdoor patio area is incorporated into the designs. Planning Commissioners agreed that the parking constraints made the location unsuitable for a restaurant, but the issue would be brought back to planners before business permits could be issued for future tenants of the site. Applicants originally presented a proposal for the site to the Architectural Review Board in February, and the drawings were generally panned for being too tall and too close to the sidewalk. The original proposal had two separate buildings on the site. Since then, the applicant scaled back designs to a single building, varied heights reaching a maximum of 29 feet, pushed the building back from the sidewalk and added more landscaping to appease the ARB and Planning Commission. The ARB will revisit final drawings and conduct an “in-progress review” of the construction.
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‘Tis the season for scammers
The caller said, “Don’t hang up. You have won a free home security system.” Upon asking who they were and how they are paid, they hung up. That was Security Solutions from Florida. Minutes later I got another unsolicited call. They said they are Credit Management Association from San Deigo. They say they can reduce my interest rates on any Master Card, Visa or American Express. I asked why I can’t call them myself to lower my interest rates. The caller said, “That’s our job, and it doesn’t cost anything.” I asked, “Then how are you paid?” He hung up. Be aware.
Danel Trevor Carpinteria
One man’s trash
The Carpinteria City Council was discussing E.J. Harrison’s loss of revenue due to our local entrepreneur scavengers. Yes, by contractual agreement E.J. Harrison has a legal right to recycle and collect all revenue from our discarded waste, and the fee they charge us is partially based upon this profit margin. E.J. Harrison’s legal position was well stated, but the impoverished and/or homeless recyclers were totally ignored. Have you ever observed the recycling center behind CVS? Honestly, it’s a survival place for the impoverished. If you truly observe “street people,” you recognize that many extremely poor individuals have few employment opportunities. This practice of raiding dumpsters is their work, and a miniscule profit may allow
them to purchase a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter or even a bottle of booze. From a contrarian point of view, where was the support for the poor folks at the city council meeting? None! Unfortunately, the poor and destitute many times ruffle the feathers of the well-to-do. Yes, citizens do complain to city hall regarding our scrap entrepreneurs. Concession to the poor: Sometimes when the waste-pickers are rummaging through the trash, the compassionate thing to do is just look the other way. Yes, the unfortunate and homeless need to eat, perhaps even at the community’s expense.
Bob Henry Carpinteria
Wags and wheels
As the city is gearing up to host public meetings regarding options for placement of a skatepark, we propose an alternative location not yet considered in the mix: the eastern end of Union Pacific Railroad Parcel B on the south side of the tracks at Linden Avenue. There is plenty of open space to also accommodate a long-needed off-leash park for man’s best friend—our four-legged companions! Like skateboarders, canines also need to stretch their legs, play and practice their agility in a safe designated area. What a great westward expansion of Tomol Park this would be! Car parking should continue to be located on the north side of the tracks and expanded west if need be. Carpinteria’s ability to accommodate multiple special interests through its parks and open space is indeed extraordinary.
Marla Daily Carpinteria
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A Carpinteria Education Foundation Project benefitting Sports Programs at CUSD
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Come see us at Farmer’s Market on Dec. 5th