Santa Barbara News-Press: September 18, 2020

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Kayaking at its best

Basketball, anyone?

Santa Barbara Adventure Co. receives national award - A4

UCSB basketball teams hit the tennis courts outdoors for practices - A10

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F R I DAY, SE P T E M BE R 18 , 2 0 2 0

New hot spot by the sea Family-friendly restaurant opens in harbor

Planning panel rejects Paseo Nuevo pact By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

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The Santa Barbara Planning Commission unanimously disapproved of the Paseo Nuevo development agreement at Thursday’s meeting, thereby recommending that the City Council not adopt the pact. Vice Chair Lesley Wiscomb compiled a list of findings to back the disapproval, writing, “The draft development agreement does not represent the best interests of the city and its citizens regarding the downtown core and the efforts currently underway to revitalize downtown.” She stated the agreement “lacks the Paseo Nuevo Owner’s/ Pacific Retail’s commitment and requirement to work with the Downtown Revitalization Council Subcommittee and other interested and involved groups as a partner in developing an integrated plan to improve our downtown.”

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By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In place of Chuck’s Waterfront Grill and Endless Summer Bar & Cafe at 113 Harbor Way, restaurateur Aaron Petersen has a vision for a family-friendly, wallet-friendly environment. Salty at the Beach is one product of his vision, a bar and grill that had its grand opening Thursday on the second floor above the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. With two patios boasting panoramic views of the harbor, frozen rosé and piña coladas, eight 50- to 70-inch flat screens and a menu with everything from poke to hot dogs to miso salmon, Salty at the Beach reflects Mr. Petersen’s locally stocked, familyoriented idea. The restaurant seats a maximum of 100 customers, and has a full bar packed with local wines, craft beers and the infamous Endless Summer Mai Tai. “The views upstairs are absolutely phenomenal,” the owner told the News-Press. “Just phenomenal. And it’s a great community down on the harbor.” Mr. Petersen and his family own three other restaurants in Solvang: CHOMP Burgers, Fries and Shakes; Brekkies; and Mortensen’s Danish Bakery. He plans to open CHOMP on the Rocks on the level below Salty at the Beach in around three weeks. CHOMP on the Rocks will emphasize the importance of family time even more, complete with burgers, milkshakes and not a TV in sight. As a family man himself, Mr. Petersen said he wanted to provide something every member of the family can indulge. With the adjacent Maritime Museum, he said it’s in a perfect location for families looking for a bite to eat after enjoying what Santa Barbara has to offer. Please see hot spot on A2

RAFAEL MALDONADO/NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Sen. Jackson’s bill covers risk reduction By JOSH GREGA NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Salty at the Beach has a full bar and a wide variety of options on its menu to cater to every family member’s needs.

By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

This week, the California Department of Public Health approved nine more waivers presented by elementary schools in Santa Barbara County. This brings the total to 17 approvals. On Sunday, state officials approved the following schools: Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara and Goleta; Crane Country Day School in Santa Barbara; St. Raphael School in Santa Barbara; St. Mary of the Assumption School in Santa Maria; Valley Christian Academy in Santa Maria and Marymount of Santa Barbara. On Tuesday, Cold Spring School District in Montecito, the Montecito Union School District and Providence School in Santa Barbara received approvals.

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Elementary students in the Montecito Union School District are cleared by state public health officials to return to school. It is one of 17 Santa Barbara County schools with the approval.

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Please see PASEO on A2

Wildfire bill sent to Gov. Newsom

Restaurateur Aaron Petersen opened a new restaurant at the harbor, Salty at the Beach, a family-oriented place with panoramic views.

More waivers approved for local schools

email: ahanshaw@newspress.com

Furthermore, she said the development agreement “does not provide ‘significant economic benefits’ to the city while providing significant economic benefits to the company through an unencumbered optional lease extension.” The multimillion-dollar deal by PNO shifts financial obligations contained in the existing lease from the city to PNO, and at the end of the 45year term of the agreement, PNO could extend the ground lease for 28 years. “Pacific Retail has been, in my view, unwilling to share their balanced redevelopment plan, in spite of the many references to such a plan in the draft development agreement,” Ms. Wiscomb said at the meeting. “A delay doesn’t suggest a goodfaith partnership with the city. I believe the city and its citizens are entitled to and should insist that PNO provide the balanced redevelopment plan

Senate Bill 182, a wildfire risk reduction bill authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), has made its way to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until the end of this month to act on it. Sen. Jackson’s bill is accompanied by two other firerelated bills, Assembly Bills 3164 and 3074 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale). In a conference call on Wednesday, Sen. Jackson remarked that it is “urgent” for the state to enact the bill as a measure to mitigate the risk of damage caused by wildfires. Though California is currently in the midst of an especially destructive and deadly wildfire season, Sen. Jackson said that it is “not an anomaly.” “This is part of a trend in our state of more catastrophic wildfires that burn larger areas and cause more damage,” she stated. Sen. Jackson noted that the housing crisis has driven California residents to settle in fire-prone areas even as wildfire risk increases. She explained that situation demands a change in “how we plan and build communities in very high-risk fire severity zones.” SB 182 aims to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire damage to fire-prone communities by requiring developments in those areas be built with fire mitigation in mind. The bill’s wildfire risk reduction measures include retrofitting at-risk structures, augmenting local planning requirements toward minimizing fire risk and reducing development pressures in highrisk fire areas. Sen. Jackson said that while some California communities

NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO

Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) says it’s urgent for the state to mitigate the risk of damage caused by wildfires.

have enacted measures along these lines, it’s high time that the state as a whole had such guidelines. “We are sorely lacking a consistent, statewide, scientifically-based effort and standards, and that is the critical piece that this bill brings to the table,” she said. Under SB182, new developments in high-risk areas would be built according to new wildfire risk reduction standards established by the state fire marshal. Those standards would include evacuation routes, defensible space for homes and communities, and sufficient availability of water and fire response. The bill would also prohibit cities and counties from approving new construction unless it meets required wildfire risk reduction guidelines. “It is through strong statewide standards that we can consistently build as safely as possible throughout the state,” Sen. Jackson said. email: jgrega@newspress.com

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L O T T E RY RESU LTS

Comics................. A8 Classified.............. A9 Life.................... A 5-6

Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 13-18-28-38-42 Meganumber:4

Thursday’s DAILY 4: 7-0-7-3

Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 25-28-38-59-62 Meganumber:22

Thursday’s FANTASY 5: 1-22-33-36-37

Thursday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-08-05 Time: 1:41.58

Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 10-17-31-51-53 Meganumber: 1

Obituaries........... A10 Soduku................. A7 Weather.............. A10

Thursday’s DAILY 3: 5-2-6 / Thursday’s Midday 7-2-0


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