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Santa Barbara News-Press: June 28, 2023

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W E D N E S DAY, J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 3

Preparing for the Fourth City of Santa Barbara announces celebration plans and safety rules By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

DAVE MASON/NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTOS

The Santa Barbara City Council has voted to extend temporary parklets on lower State Street to beyond the end of this year.

State Street’s closure extended Santa Barbara City Council permits continuation of parklets

Independence Day is a special occasion meant for celebration, but it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers that come with it. From injuries caused by fireworks and the risk of wildfires to overindulgence and reckless driving, there are several factors that can put you and your family at risk over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the city of Santa Barbara. “The city wants to take this opportunity to remind the community about some important topics to keep in mind during the upcoming July Fourth weekend. Remember that staying safe means taking the time to think before you react,” Kacey Drescher, communications specialist, said in a statement. “We are also proud of our sense of community and implore people to be courteous of their

neighbors,” Ms. Drescher said. “While our nation celebrates the freedom that comes from the sacrifice of service members, Tuesday’s celebration of America’s birthday can cause stress for some veterans. The loud and unexpected noises, like the sounds from fireworks, are very common triggers for many combat veterans who are suffering from PTSD.” FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL — Personal fireworks are dangerous and illegal in Santa Barbara. Even pyrotechnics labeled “safe and sane” are illegal. If you are caught with fireworks of any kind, the fine could be costly. The use of unauthorized fireworks can easily create a brush fire or result in serious injury, officials noted. Misdemeanor citations could be issued to those possessing or using personal fireworks within the city. Please see FOURTH on A4

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council voted Tuesday to extend the closure of lower State Street to motor vehicles beyond the end of the year, and to allow outdoor dining parklets on the downtown promenade and beyond. The temporary parklets will continue to be allowed on the 400 to 1300 blocks of State Street and the zero block of West Victoria Street. But they will be banned elsewhere in the city. The 500 to 1200 blocks of State Street (the promenade) will remain closed to vehicular traffic. The new ordinances approved by the council will take effect Jan. 1, the day after the emergency ordinance closing part of lower State Street and permitting the erection of temporary outdoor business facilities (the parklets) is set to expire (Dec. 31.) The parklets will remain subject to the rules and regulations under the Economic Recovery Extension and Transition Ordinance approved by the council to close State Street. The ordinance also allows outdoor parklets, including maintenance of valid outdoor business facility license agreements and payment of required monthly license fees. These fees help to defray the overall cost of promenade operation and maintenance. Revised vehicle configurations on the 400 and 1300 blocks of State, and the zero block of West Victoria, will remain in place and keep those blocks open to both traffic and parklets. The council’s actions will continue the closure of the promenade and allow the parklets

ELECTION 2024

Cole talks about why he’s running against Carbajal Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of occasional stories about local candidates as the News-Press begins its coverage of the 2024 races. By LIAM HIBBERT Parklets have proved to be popular with diners and restaurant owners, but landlords and retailers say it’s unfair that restaurants and bars, which make up a minority of State Street businesses, should dictate the future of downtown Santa Barbara.

to remain in place, until Dec. 31, 2026, or until adoption of the Master Plan permanent ordinance implementing the traffic pattern recommendation in the Master Plan, whichever is earlier. The council also voted to allow temporary outdoor dining on private property outside of the 500 through 1300 blocks of State Street if the owner secures the appropriate permits, and establish a grace period allowing them to submit a complete application and remain in operation beyond Dec. 31 while their application is processed by the city. In addition, the council directed

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staff to bring to the Ordinance Committee for consideration a citywide parklet program within a public right-of-way but outside the Promenade, which would include, among other things, ADA monitoring and compliance and liability issues. Finally, the council voted to direct staff to bring an item back to formalize a new configuration of a State Street interim operations subcommittee to replace the ad hoc committee and allow for maximum public input in the planning and design process, a move strongly backed by Councilmembers Kristen Sneddon

and Mike Jordan. Councilmember Sneddon said she strongly supported “retooling” the ad hoc subcommittee to open up the process to new ideas. “I do not believe we have seen yet what we can see, or given it a full chance for it to blossom,” she said. Both Mayor Randy Rowse and Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez insisted the council take action Tuesday. “It’s not about redesigning the street. It’s about managing what we have,” Mayor Rowse said. “We have a design process in place. Please see PARKLETS on A4

NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Thomas Cole, a Republican candidate running for U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s seat, described what he brings to the state’s 24th Congressional District — and how his lawsuit against the Santa Barbara school district is connected. “We need to get the Marxists and Communists out of government,” Mr. Cole told the News-Press. “I want to get a completely different take on government.” Mr. Cole said he believes that the federal and local governments are overrun with communists who have allowed for the spread of what he considers to be dangerous ideologies such as man-made

COURTESY PHOTO

Thomas Cole

climate change and transgenderinclusive bathrooms. On June 6, Mr. Cole filed a lawsuit in federal court against 10 defendants, including the Please see COLE on A4

INSIDE

L O T T E RY RESULTS

Classified................. A7 Life..................... A 3-4 Obituaries............... A8

Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO PLUS: 7-12-13-17-41 Meganumber: 9

Tuesday’s DAILY 4: 0-9-1-3

Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 8-34-35-41-52 Meganumber: 12

Tuesday’s FANTASY 5: 2-17-26-30-34

Tuesday’s’s DAILY DERBY: 07-03-08 Time: 1:42.76

Tuesday’s POWERBALL: 6-28-39-43-54 Meganumber: 12

Sudoku................... A5 Sports . .................... A8 Weather................. A8

Tuesday’s DAILY 3: 7-0-7 / Tuesday’s Midday 1-7-1


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