Agreed Joe S!
The recently purposed second track would cause tree lined Padaro, my favorite biking route, to lose most of the trees including old growth for at least 1.1 miles on the 101 side. There’s sections which will have no trees at all as tracks and trains will be a few feet from the street.
Thanks for giving Whisper a shout out. It’s such a special way to experience the waterfront in Santa Barbara (and surprisingly affordable!). We also run “the happiest boat in the harbor”, Lil Toot and yacht cruise staring at just $35!
Celebration Cruises
237 Stearns Wharf
(805) 465-6676
www.celebrationsb.com
The proposed second train track location would
be better situated between the SB station and the Goleta Station. More room. Less tree removal.
Could be a workable alternative.
This is inaccurate, Dennis. While there are Eucs that were planted over 100 years ago along Padaro, they are not the majority of trees. There are over 100 pines, in addition to dozens of mature native Coastal Live Oaks, Cypress, and Sycamores. These trees are not only a beautiful green canopy for this California Coastal Trail, but they are natural C02 emission removers next to the freeway and rail tracks. Yes, they eat C02 and emit oxygen.
A little correction anyone can verify by walking the Lane. There are very few euchs along Padaro Lane. The most abundant species on the west end where the side rail is planned are old Monterey Cypress.
The people making the environmentalist argument just flew in from Aspen on private jets.
Wow, great list. For a small town, we have a lot to offer. Lotusland is my favorite place on earth and the Music Academy is a rare gem that many aren't aware of. Other favorites are the Santa Barbara Zoo, Natural History Museum and tour of the Mission.
You beat me to it!
El Paseo walkway near the restaurant lobby?
This is a skylight in the hallway on the way to the historic El Paseo restaurant.
I find the architecture and hardscaping very boring. It looks like it belongs in LA or Orange County. Why can’t we keep more of the Spanish Colonial Revival aesthetic, which is timeless and has character?
Saturday Fisherman's Market on the pier (by Brophys), every Saturday 6-11a. Meet your fishermen and get the freshest local seafood available, sooo good!
While I sympathize with the Padaro homeowners there are two noteworthy reasons to remove the majority of the trees and add the additional mile of siding track. First, the majority of these trees are non native eucalyptus which are highly flammable and the most mature can consume up to eighty gallons of water from our depleted groundwater reserves per day. Second, the additional double track in this area will relieve congestion between Union Pacific freight trains and the SurfLiner service that will improve adoption of rail service for commuters between Ventura County and Santa Barbara. We should always take a societal or community perspective with these types of improvements.
I think those Padero Lane residents would be concerned about the loss of trees which currently largely block the view of the freeway and reduce noise more than the loss of some parking spots. Currently, with the trees, walking along Padero is much like walking down shady lane, and that will likely change dramatically. Of course, he track directly through Carpinteria was in place by June 22, 1887. The section running northwest from Carpinteria beside what is now Padaro Lane, toward Summerland and Miramar, was most likely laid during late June through early August 1887. So, it's not like they didn't know the train tracks were there when they moved into their homes.
Agree!
Many of these people who whine and cry about not enough housing are the same ones who bitch about losing trees in turn for improved infrastructure and public transportation that would actually support the type of population increase that would come with more housing. We don't need more permanent residents and we don't need people in other parts of the country buying SB homes they visit 1 week per year.
This is a disappointing take from the author. The railroad right of way, where this work will occur is where the railroad has a right to build. The fact that residents have illegally planted landscaping there for decades, should not hinder a modest public benefit project. This private encroachment has occurred along Padaro Lane (the road) as well, where private property owners have put landscaping, walls, and PRIVATE parking (with fake no parking signs), depriving the public of beach parking.
That’s a great list and going to check out the train museum with my 5 year old grandson. I would also add the natural history museum (mechanical dinosaurs are fun) and of course the Moxie in downtown.
You don't need a kid to go to the Sea Center - it's fun and informative, and will bring out the kid in any adult.
I’d like to get this as a tattoo. Or maybe a billboard. Probably a billboard. Bravo, regardless.
“ You should remember that where you’re sitting right now used to be a tree, a field, or open land at some point. You benefit every day from development that required change. Just because you’re comfortable with the changes that happened before you got here doesn’t mean everyone else should be denied the opportunity to benefit from improvements today.”
I suspect the residents of Padaro Lane are more concerned with losing their parking carve outs on Union Pacific property than with losing the trees.
Tony, I was just having a little fun with my morning coffee when I wrote that comment and didn't mean to trigger anyone.
Regarding action, I try to be a good steward of the land and support local regenerative agriculture and ecological efforts.
I really don't get the"just because you got yours doesn't mean that nobody else gets theirs" thing. One of the main reasons to preserve the natural environment is for future generations - perhaps even when it goes against current growth needs.
And lastly, MAGA doesn't have a great track record with the environment and LOVES concrete. Look no further than the Whitehouse rose garden. That's more factual and political. Plus the "MAGAfication of Montecito" rolls of the tongue nicely. Give it a try!
I appreciate your earnestness and tenacity and desire for process. I share it. But after 10 years of a huge vacancy, a dying mall, and then a horribly obnoxious idea from the current owner to put up 7 stories and tear down the entire beautifully designed mall, I think we have a good deal before us. I can assure you that when Macy's was offered up for lease, every broker worth a bag of beans was out there hustling every potential opportunity. A lot of money in brokerage fees was on the table for the taking. These brokers can sell ice to an eskimo - yet - they came up with nothing. If this is being rushed, it's because this is such an amazing opportunity for SB downtown. Many of us just want a bustling and fun city, with people around supporting good restaurants and retail. A meeting spot which for friends, family and strangers that is interesting and fun. The ever important third space. We see it in Europe everywhere but in the U.S. it's usually in tacky indoor malls. We get State street and our wonderful outdoor mall back with this.
Don’t ignore the opportunity costs of looking for other deals. Not only do you risk losing this deal, there’s no guarantee another deal would be better. And it would add at least 2 years until a new deal would happen. That’s years of delaying the direct parking revenue, indirect sales tax from more people in downtown, additional years of City staff time working on the RFP and maintaining the empty property, years delaying the projects the housing fund could spend the $6m on, risks losing other tenants in Paseo Nuevo, etc.
A bird hand is better than 2 in the bush
Exactly, Christian. Very well said. This project is needed, right now.
