December 18, 2025
News Roundup
Santa Barbara County Is Facing Big Budget Shortfalls
Other recent news: Santa Barbara starts on the path to rent stabilization; reforming the way that the harbor's boat slips are sold; the Hilton's 73-room expansion gets the go-ahead; indoor volleyball facility in the works; Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can operate through 2030; no more identifying buyers of local real estate. 13
December 12, 2025
December 4, 2025
November 28, 2025
The Argument Against the Paseo Nuevo Deal
Other recent news: The land under the former Nordstrom store is now excluded from the proposal; SBIFF's downtown multiplex got named; Zoe Bikini to close; new fees and requirements possible for Santa Barbara massage therapists; adaptive reuse of an old airport hangar and two Quonset huts; an update from Edhat. 6
November 20, 2025
Delta Is Ending Flights Between Santa Barbara and Atlanta
Other recent news: Birnam Wood's plan to remove the 77 eucalyptus trees along East Valley Road; city council member Kristen Sneddon is running for mayor; an option for fewer affordable-housing units at Paseo Nuevo; more citations issued to e-bike riders; the University of California bought a Hope Ranch house for UCSB's chancellor; Summer Solstice Celebration's 2026 theme. 24
November 13, 2025
The Trump Administration Plans to Reopen the Santa Barbara County Coast to Drilling
Other recent news: The contentious proposal to redevelop Paseo Nuevo; 18-story Builder's Remedy project submitted to Carpinteria; objections to the design of Sears lot at La Cumbre Plaza; Gold’s Gym locations bought by Eos Fitness; the renovation of Dwight Murphy Field. 17
November 6, 2025
The Push for Public Access to Hollister Ranch Beaches
Other recent news: Changes coming to Cacique Street homeless shelter; a long look at California's insurance problem; county supervisors deny Sable Offshore permit transfer; improvements to Franklin Creek trail in Carpinteria; the tree of the month. 1
October 23, 2025
Santa Barbara Has Hired a New State Street Consultant
Other recent news: The number of international visitors is down; addressing the city's budget shortfall; an update on the Electrify America vehicle-charging station; Santa Barbara County looks to phase out all onshore oil operations; Sable Offshore loses in court; first steps toward a new trail linking Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez. 20
October 16, 2025
Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Hits a Roadblock
Other recent news: Update on the apartment complex behind the Mission; SpaceX launches likely to increase; cannabis taxes continue to disappoint; converting downtown commercial buildings to residential got easier; new Santa Barbara Police Department headquarters delayed; rent stabilization ordinance faulted for lack of transparency; Lower Tunnel Trail reopened. 9
October 9, 2025
Burning Questions
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
- Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?
Recent Comments
Exactly this. I haven't heard any realistic alternatives yet. — BrR
The land is privately owned and zoned for development. What operates on it today exists at the discretion of the owners, and that can change… — BrR
Those tract homes are tacky and not good enough for precious Carpinteria. Carp deserves much better than those eye sores. — KK
It’s not vacant parcel: it’s a beautiful co-op organic farm, Farm Cart Organics, that feeds our community, and a farm school, Carpinteria Children’s Farm, and… — Sarah
Respectfully, there was never a version of development on this site that Carpinteria was going to welcome with open arms. That's the problem. Even if… — EM
My comment on your post here last June: https://www.sitelinesb.com/nearly-200-housing-units-proposed-for-the-carpinteria-bluffs/ “the developer is saying it’ll use the density bonus to accommodate the housing instead—and retain the… — SkyG
I’d definitely prefer a hotel with restaurant, farm, grounds, etc. than Orange County tract homes. — BW
For anyone curious, the "farm resort" initially proposed—and intensely resisted by Carpinteria residents—is described in this post: https://www.sitelinesb.com/99-room-farm-resort-proposed-for-the-carpinteria-bluffs/ — Erik Torkells
The state is going to force housing on communities that don't plan for it. Carpinteria can either shape what gets built here or wait for… — BrR
Genuinely curious what outcome you'd prefer. The land is privately owned and zoned for development. If not this, then what? Leaving it vacant forever isn't… — EM