••• The Montecito Trails Foundation announced the reopening of 1) San Ysidro Trail all the way to E. Camino Cielo, and 2) the first two miles of Old Romero Road.
••• “The I ♥ Montecito space at the Montecito Country Mart will be a short term petite exhibit,” says Olivia Joffrey, “a love letter to Montecito and the Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it: on the walls we will be featuring local stories, collective memories, and hometown heroes via historic photos and artifacts. The exhibit will be free and open to the public. My creative agency has been responsible for the design, research, and curation of the exhibit in concert with the Montecito Country Mart team.”
••• Add Ensemble Theatre Company to the list of theater companies partnering with Britain’s National Theatre to livestream its productions: “Screenings of award-winning productions including the smash hit new play Inter Alia [October 21] with Oscar-nominated actor Rosamund Pike, The Importance of Being Earnest with Tony-nominated actor Sharon D. Clarke [December 8], and multi-Tony-winning play War Horse [February 23].” There’s more on National Theatre Live in this recent New York Times article.
••• The folks at Radius Commercial Group sent over more info on the plan for 918 Chapala Street (Canon Perdido/Carrillo): “Motion Training Collective will be a premier hybrid training gym in Santa Barbara, blending group fitness classes, open gym access, and personal training in a stylish, community-driven space. It will offer expert-led classes that utilize strength, cardio, hybrid formats, and proper movement mechanics. Founded by local elite trainers and athletes Wyatt Woods, Jonah Tzintzun, and Julian Martinez, Motion Training Collective strives to see its members push past their limits and to become the best version of themselves. There will be a strong emphasis placed on community, with a focus on connecting Santa Barbara locals to one another as they seek to elevate their health and lifestyle. The gym is set to open in the beginning of October 2025.”
••• Locally based chamber music collective Camerata Pacifica presents an all-string program, including works by Brahms, Peteris Vasks, and Anton Arensky, on September 26, at the Music Academy of the West.
••• Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories from business owners about the hell that the city and county have put them through as they tried to open here. Recently, one offered to go on the record about it, but I dissuaded him/her, because I didn’t want to put anyone in jeopardy. I do think, however, that a roundup of people’s stories, with details changed to hide their identities, might be useful—perhaps it will lead someone high up in the city and/or county to start making changes. If you’d like to talk, let me know at [email protected] or 917-209-6473. Anonymity guaranteed.
••• Suzanne Vega plays the Lobero Theatre on February 14.
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“roundup of people’s stories” – DO IT!
These stories need to be heard. The city and county processes must undergo major changes to truly support entrepreneurship, fill vacancies, and allow meaningful progress. The City Council bears responsibility her. They have the power to make real, tangible impacts.
If they insist on regulations and controls, then they must also commit to clear and enforceable timelines. Right now, too many projects disappear into a bureaucratic black hole. This isn’t just about businesses, it’s the same nightmare for residents trying to build ADUs or homes for themselves. The system isn’t working, and it’s time for accountability and action.
We are on day 127 of waiting for feedback from Fire(for FPC) on our tenant improvement permits. We have received nothing. We are a local family business who needs a new space to grow. That is 4mo of rent, insurance, etc. Unfortunately the rest of the world doesn’t stop when permitting stalls out. Its disheartening to have invested so much in the community for decades and then have to run the permitting gauntlet to survive. I hope there is a way to improve the process so locals are willing to invest in their own community and help it be as vibrant and successful as it should be.
Silly you. You’re following the rules and the law.
It would be nice if site lyne would edit press releases, such as the one about the new gym and delete some of the hype and superlatives.
What is happening to the old IHOP on Calle Real off Turnpike? it has ben vacant for about 3 years!
Chick-fil-A has been planning to open a restaurant there for years. I tried asking a few months ago whether it’s still a go, but I got no response.
Much of the “Hell” tenants must go through has more to do with the City/County simply covering their ass and enforcing the onerous requirements of the California Building Code. I made some minor tenant improvements to a fitness studio many years ago (removing walls, installing new recessed lights, and reconfiguring a bathroom, among other things), and the permit process took eight months to complete. In our first-round resubmittal, we learned that a remodel exceeding 50% of the building’s valuation or floor area often triggers the installation of a new fire sprinkler system throughout the entire building, not just our unit. Luckily, our landlord paid for it. Even worse, we were asked to provide an ADA accessibility study, since our small TI project triggered ADA requirements to reconfigure the parking lot, parking spaces, etc. On top of that, I was required to hire engineers to complete an electrical plan and a plumbing plan. I could go on and on…it was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life – and you will not get any empathy from people who work at the city. I’m no expert, but it seems that reform is needed at the state level. With that said, there is still plenty the city/county can do to streamline the permitting process and make it easier for new businesses.
The city is highly inefficient and failing its citizens. It prioritizes projects over addressing resident needs. Laws are not enforced, particularly with a construction project on our street, ongoing for over a year. Issues include:People living at the construction site.
Illegal sidewalk blockages for weeks.
Disruptive work, like Sunday night jackhammering or window removal at 9:30 PM.
Complaints through the city’s portal are ignored, though direct emails to officials is the way to get responses. To get results, persistently email ALL department officials and CC the city council. For example, permit delays of up to four months can only be resolved through relentless follow-ups with officials and the council.
Phone calls don’t work, now that you can ever get a hold of anyone. The portal certainly doesn’t work. There are some great departments and people coming through for the citizens, but for the most part, they have made it a system in the city of complacency, delays, denying… It’s ashamed. But it’s most cities in Southern California.