Should State Street reopen to cars?

Hi, Who exactly is the driving force behind this decision? What are the names of the handful of specific people truly in charge of whether this passes or not? Will this reach them directly, or get screened by some secretary, never to be seen by them?

Whoever you are: I would love to hear who this decision would benefit, and I'd like to know why you won't listen to the people who live here. It costs ZERO DOLLARS to keep State street car free. Something an overwhelming majority of people want. Are you seriously THAT un-creative, that you can't think of anything else you'd rather spend 700k or whatever dumb amount of money this is on???

I am in town right now, I have family who lives in Santa Barbara walking distance from State street, and I visit twice a year. Every time, coming here feels like a magical second home oasis that is different from other places, and riding my bike up and down state street is a big part of that. It's unlike other cities. It promotes COMMUNITY. I have met so many people there, I have spent money boosting your local economy by shopping at stores, restaurants, and bars that I would never have wandered into had I not been walking down that street.

Why do you guys hate nice things? Why do you want to butcher something that makes this quaint little town so charming, and sets it apart? Giving this street back to cars would change this place significantly in a bad way. It's honestly infuriating and I know many people who are not taking the time to write an email feel the same way.

If you genuinely think putting cars back on state street is a GOOD idea, you are out of touch with the things that actually matter in this little short life we have here on earth. Listen to the people who live here.

It's so rude to take this street away.

Whoever's idea this was, if it was one of you or a group of you, I hope every parking space you find actually has a motorcycle in it at the last second.

Sincerely, A human being who wants to enjoy being a human being living in a society that prioritizes people and interpersonal relationships and connections and community, not money and greed. Bye

[ Hello Mayor Rowse and City Council, Let's be frank: drivers have gotten worse, and I don't think that trend will stop any time soon. Allowing car traffic back on State Street reintroduces a lot of risk, and for what benefit? It's not easy to recognize businesses at a glance due to HLC's signage rules, unless drivers are driving drastically below the speed limit of 25mph. If drivers are going the speed limit but looking at businesses, they're distracted and not watching the road and their surroundings—which include cyclists, pedestrians, and pets.

I'm younger than most of the "reopen State Street" crowd, but I empathize with the people in our community who would like to see downtown go back to "the way it was." My hometown has also changed a lot in the past decade, in many ways that I don't love. But in addition to those changes, I'm constantly learning about new shops, restaurants, and community organizations that have opened since I moved away, and they give me a great sense of pride for my hometown.

It's not the end of the world when things change—it's inevitable. I feel lucky to live in a city where everyone cares so much about shaping these changes together. We have a chance to see the Master Plan through to completion, making State Street a world-class destination and a community hub for all ages.

Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep car traffic off of State Street.

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Best, [NAME]

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Dear City Council Members.

Here is my response to The State Street conundrum.

The Council did what they thought best in Covid 19. But, us pedestrians are fine on sidewalks where we belong. We have plenty of room on our sidewalks. It actually brings us closer to the windows of shops.

Bikes belong in a bike lane, just like traffic. We pedestrians have not felt safe with bikers riding all over amidst us. Many times, situations and near misses have been encountered. Having bike transport is great on one side of the street, but they can go around the block just like cars if they need to go back up the street.

I think this would help solve the e-bike gangs by making them conform to more safe rules. E-bike riders aren't generally purchasing food or shopping. In fact, most bikers are going from point A to point B, just like car drivers. Not shopping, not eating.

Taking into the study you posted, about City fire, EMTs, PD- first responders, I would Like to see a one lane north to the beach for cars back on State Street. Responders could use the other portion of the streetmaybe marked for that in some way.

I also would like to see a free city people mover transport that helps prevent so many cars.

Originally, I thought long about having right hand parking with meters (Like many other cities) where they could back out into the one lane again to drive on. The meters would be an option to often packed-out parking lots. Usually, meters are short term visits. They might have a discrete sign on them saying long term parking available behind blah blah. It's kind of a quaint come-back. There are new pretty meters.

The pop outs of cafes could be narrower. We pedestrians can still walk by them. HOWEVER, ours are ugly, not charming like Europe or Canada. They need to fit the charm of SB; the Mediterranean theme. So many look like hippie 70's pop ups at an Earth Faire.

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I have always felt SB needed pretty hanging baskets of flowers like Europe or Canada. They could even be mixed with succulents. As a landscape designer, this style was my specialty. If you think about the feel of Petersen's, La Arcada Plaza, at Figuroa and State Street, they have captured the feeling of the theme of SB pretty well. The planter displays, wall fountains, hanging baskets---charm. SB needs to enhance its beauty and not try to be something it isn't with pop art, etc So there is my vote. I can easily envision it, can you?

188 189 -- Barnesy [NAME] "There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you."

[NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I've been living in Santa Barbara since 2010 and I've never encountered a political issue more unreasonable than the reopening of state st. I simply haven't seen any credible evidence for opening the street to traffic. I feel bad for businesses, but there is no evidence traffic will help them. Meanwhile, there's a lot of evidence and direct statements of locals enjoying the state st promenade. The strength of the polarization simply makes no sense! I think it's great that the debate happened, and that some people took the stance to reopen, and that we had such discussions and commissioned such studied. But what should happen next is that we all learn from the experience and evolve our viewpoints. Rather, what is happening is that those on one side do the debate feel like they are losing and continually try to regroup to heal their ego. I love their energy. We need more debate! But go focus on something new, something where they still have a chance to be right and have an impact!

By the way, I don't see this as a right/left issue. I'm anti rent control, and I think our current city council position on that matter is misguided. But I still think it's dumb that reopening state street is somehow a conservative-leaning position in our town. Move on!

Please keep State Street Open to cyclist and pedestrians. It should be the landlords that should be penalized for not leasing out their spaces. There are other towns and cities in California that if landlord doesn't rent their spaces between six months and a year they get penalized. Why should the people get penalized because the landlords overcharge for their spaces in Santa Barbara? It makes it almost impossible for small businesses to be successful. Santa Barbara used to be about the people now it seems to be about the developers and what City council thinks is right. Why don't we put this to vote without any funding or anybody coming in from outside of Santa Barbara ask the people what they truly want. I think if you looked at the demographics, you would see that most of the people that don't want to open State Street are either older people or might've had a bad encounter with young people.

Who like all young people think they're invincible. Penalized the parents not the people. Or the developers and landlords. When State Street was open, it was a gridlock on the weekends. It was almost impossible to get down State Street in 10 to 15 minutes. I don't understand why driving your car and not utilizing your body would make it a better situation. It would be really nice of the Santa Barbara city council to listen to the people who live here. I'm 65 years old love riding my bike with my husband and my friends. It's a joy to be able to ride down State Street. Our biggest concern in Santa Barbara is Clean-Up the homeless that should be your number one priority. It's very sad to go to State Street a beautiful place in a beautiful city and be inundated with people laying on the sidewalk with all their stuff, harassing people walking by and scaring grandchildren.

Thank you, [NAME] Alexander Landscape & Designs Mobile: 319.863.0050 [EMAIL]

How many times does the majority of the population have to write in and say we don't want cars back on State Street?

I have never seen a city bend over backwards to pander so much to a handful of landlords who intentionally keep spaced empty and hike rent to unsustainable heights. We all know car traƯic increases the value of their buildings, and honestly the rest of us don't care. We want a safe, clean, stress free and car free State Street with aƯordable rent to keep businesses around. Both tourists and the majority of locals and small businesses here like the stress-free accessibility of a carless State Street. E-bikes haven't killed a single person on State Street, but cars have. It's frustrating how many times I have had to write in on this and how it keeps coming up despite the public feedback.

Respectfully, [NAME] Director of Visitor Experience MSt University of Oxford (She / Her / Hers) Sent from Chumash land.

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P (805) 961-5377 [EMAIL] 123 E. Canon Perdido St.

Santa Barbara, California, 93101 sbthp.org WEBSITE • UPCOMING EVENTS • BECOME AN ADVOCATE • VENUE RENTALS

[ Please do not let Title 31 expire. [NAME] car free.

Do the right thing, the democratic thing. Most SB residents want state free from cars, 80% of them, if that's not a consensus, I don't know what is. Most businesses on State and downtown also support keeping State for people and bikes.

This change has made downtown safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, which is part of the city's commitment to reduce traffic accidents. It also brings out people who were not on state before. State in 2019 was dead! Safety also comes with eyes on the streets and that is people walking and biking, not driving.

It costs nothing at this point to keep it car-free. A lot has been invested in a car-free State that would be tax-payer funds wasted, and on top of that it would cost hundreds of thousands to bring cars back.

Don't jeopardize the new vitality of our downtown.

Make the democratic and logical choice!

Maripaula

Hi!

I am reaching out to encourage a car free state street! I have only been living in SB a short while but the car free zone in the core of downtown has left a lasting impact on myself and everyone I know who has visited me.

My family and friends talk about how amazing it is that Santa Barbara has pushed to keep safety and community focused areas at the top of their agenda, maintaining a car free state street and it is definitely a contributing factor in getting them to visit me again !

I go out of my way to walk on state street because of the lack of cars, bringing me past and into stores I would not have otherwise visited, and feel the tangible calm of safety knowing I can bike without fear of getting side swiped by a passing vehicle.

I would encourage the city council to keep state street safer and car free!

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Thank you for your consideration, Adelaide -- [NAME] PhD student | Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara Young Lab | Website

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Hello: I am a longtime Santa Barbara resident and a very frequent user of State Street. I live 7 blocks off of State Street and am on State 3 to 5 times per week.

Conversations to fix State Street having been going on long before it was closed to cars.

Hopefully you have seen this article from 2009 when The Independent was reporting about a broken State Street.

The linked image cannot be displayed.

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The file may have been [NAME], renamed, or deleted.

Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.

The Retail [EMAIL] For the record, I love State Street being closed to cars. Bringing back to a car traffic would increase noise and pollution not to mention kill the laid-back energy. Can you imagine all the ride shares and delivery people pulling over with their blinkers on 'just for a minute'.

The horn traffic alone will be horrible.

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I am a tour guide and my guests love it. I find State Street to be vibrant and usable and an extended part of my neighborhood.

Thank you, [NAME]

I live about a mile from the car-free blocks of State and I walk or bike to work there every day. My "commute" gets immeasurably more pleasant the moment I stop having to navigate noisy, stinky, dangerous cars. I love taking breaks mid-day to stroll State and grab a pastry or lunch at a nearby restaurant, or to come down at sunset for a drink at Dusk.

I know there are design challenges to be overcome, but re-opening to cars would be a tragic step backwards. I first moved to Santa Barbara more than 20 years ago, and [NAME] is so, so, so much more pleasant to be on than at any point I can remember. Please don't let a small but vocal set of people dissuade you from the right thing: keep State car-free!

Thank you, [NAME]

It's absurd this keeps even being a debate. Cars on State Street benefits close to no one. Using State Street for car traƯic is ineƯicient for driving or accessing parking. If going to State Street via car, already the parallel streets are used for accessing public parking. For actually being on State Street, having it car free is immensely more enjoyable, safer, and heathier. Why are we debating risking the health, safety, and enjoyment of the many to allow cars on the road shows a naive a short sighted mindset of caving to car culture even in instances where it is an overwhelmingly negative proposition. It speaks to how out of touch people can be with reality. The people clamoring to have cars again on State Street are the people that rarely if ever frequent it and are in principle against any changes that put pedestrians and bicycles above the car.

[NAME] 749 Ward Drive Santa Barbara CA 93111 Email: [EMAIL] Phone: 805.964.8104 ext. 79204 This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are the property of Arthrex, Inc. and/or its affiliates, are confidential, and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom this e-mail is addressed. If you are not one of the named recipient(s) or otherwise have reason to believe that you have received this message in error, please notify the sender at 239-643-5553 and delete this message immediately from your computer. Any other use, retention, dissemination forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, while Arthrex uses virus protection, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

I am writing in support of keeping State St car free. It has taken some time and many adjustments, but I feel we are definitely on the right track. I took some time today to read comments from small business owners on State Street that were very much in favor of keeping it free of cars.. their opinions matter!

It is so much more enjoyable to go to dinner and a show and maybe catch a little jazz or an ice cream after. We have discovered new places to try because that is what happens when you are out walking and enjoying your surroundings.

This is the future I hope we will choose for our beautiful home.

I remember when State Street was first opened up to pedestrians/bikers only and I believe we should not go back to allowing cars. I love the extra outdoor seating it gives restaurants. I love having more space to walk along State without being limited to the sidewalks. Driving on Anacapa or Chapala has always been quicker and easier anyways.

We should be continuing to make Santa Barbara more accessible. Walkable cities are the future! Also, reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing.

Please do not undo all the progress that has been done to make State Street safer and more enjoyable.

The majority of Santa Barbarans want no cars on State so let's keep it that way!

Best, [NAME]

Keep State Street car-free. I like the Master Plan. I love State Street.

Let it evolve into something wonderful, without cars.

Don't go backwards - don't put the smelly, noisy, crawling cars back again.

Thank You, [NAME] 50-year SB resident 1914 Santa Barbara St

Hello, I've email y'all before about this. As an SB resident and someone who runs a downtown State Street business, I ABSOLUTELY would love to see car traffic return to State Street in some capacity. This endless, stagnant closed street is devastating crucial elements of our local economy by reducing visibility and accessibility. DSBIA data shows almost a reduction of one million visitors downtown between 2024 and 2025. The Master Plan Appendices note that, on a good day, 2000 cyclists are on State Street. This is anywhere from 3-4.5 times LESS than car traffic (between 7000-9400, depending on the block) pre-closure.

This clearly isn't working. It's great that so many young people, most of whom I'm pretty sure are students and won't live here in a few years, want the street to remain closed before the master plan is funded. I do not think that is the opinion of many others who live here or visit here (who actually spend money downtown!).

-Meriwether Clarke, Lewis & Clark -- [NAME] | www.meriwetherclarke.com

Dear Council, My wife, my dog, and I are deeply concerned about the possibility of reopening State Street to cars: we've loved it so much since we moved here last year and can't imagine walking there on a weekend and have to constantly wait for cars when we want do go from a coffee shop to an ice cream place. Just consider that the sidewalks are already quite crowded on a weekend without the cars and imagine what it would look like when the cars are back. We moved here from Pasadena where the Colorado Blvd was always open to cars and we never enjoyed it there. Please keep it closed to cars.

Thank you, Akim

I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting tomorrow where the future of State St will be discussed. I have been a resident of SB for many years, and opening up State St as a promenade has brought many more people to State St. I don't like that e-bikes don't follow the rules, but that situation seems to be improving. I spend a lot of time downtown as a volunteer usher at various venues, and I love the more relaxed feeling of being on State St. Keep it as it is.

[NAME] W Valerio St

Please keep State Street car free and bike friendly. When I think of the amount of joy it has brought my personal family, I could not imagine going backwards.

From a socio-economical perspective, it can only help bolster tourism and hospitality numbers since it creates a space people actually want to visit and walk.

[ As a Santa Barbara local it's been difficult to watch the many changes to our beautiful, historic city.

State Street is iconic. For residents and visitors alike the ability to peruse the shops and dining was a benefit. Now it's closed to all but youth on motorized bikes. Pedestrians don't have a right of way. It's dangerous. No one is going to walk those 13 blocks. Just let cars back in.

Our historic parades and traditions need the street width and sidewalk space of State Street. Santa Barbara street can't accommodate crowds and therefore locals and visitors don't attend.

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COVID is over. Please bring back our main thoroughfare.

[NAME] from my iPhone

[ Please do not allow cars back on state street, especially at night. People are accustomed to walking state street now and allowing cars back on them will be a pedestrian safety risk.

It will also ruin the wonderful environment that's been created. It is so joyous to be able to walk down that street freely.

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Sent from my iPhone

I've been a resident since 1980 and believe what has happened to downtown is nothing short of a travesty.

Open State St to car traffic, get the wreckless, disrespectful, dangerous teen e-bikers in their own lane - the bike lane between the cars and the sidewalk, and bring people back to the businesses downtown.

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This change has met with widespread disapproval of your constituents as evidenced by the fact so few people go downtown.

State Street is no longer a highly desireable place which is truly sad and in need of am immediate change in course.

[NAME] Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

[ Hi, I'm writing in to urge you to keep State street car free. It has made a huge difference in how often I come downtown, bring visitors to downtown, and spend money at local businesses. Since it's actually enjoyable to stroll down a street that has no cars, I have many times gone into businesses like Dune, game seeker, or world market and bought things that I would not have purchased if state street was open to cars. Having state street car free has a direct impact on how often I come downtown, how much money I spend at businesses there, and whether or not I bring visitors into businesses and restaurants.

Best, Carmen Sent from my iPhone

Hello- please do not vote to let cars back on state street. The final state st enhancements will make a beautiful walking and biking which will be a great tourist attraction.

Please also do not give all the parking garages to developers. Having great parking options is a bonus.

All the best, [NAME] 805-883-8185 Let's brighten the world together!

Website www.katbleudesign.com Instagram [HANDLE] To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

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"Sweet Disposition", 2025

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Please keep state street car free! I love riding my bike and walking down state street. I live downtown and go there a lot.

I see first hand how vibrant and alive it is with pedestrians and no cars.

Thank you for your time, [NAME]

[ I was at the city council meeting waiting for 4.5 hours to speak for one minute about how the #s have gone down in accidents with vehicles in that area since closing and how it's better and safer for the environment As a 7th generation local - please do not reopen it to vehicles It's also great for business to have foot traffic Sent from my iPhone

[ Dear City Council, Thanks to the decision to keep cars off State State several years ago, the thoroughfare has become my family's preferred route when we're out on weekday evenings and during the weekend. On our bikes, we make the to detour several blocks over to State Street because it feels that much safer, and because we want to be where things are happening. Please keep it this way and keep building on this the trend that started when State Street was closed to cars.

Thank you, [NAME] 1611 Olive St. 93101

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I love car-free State Street. and although it's not perfect, we can make it better.

I don't understand the argument of the (few) business owners who want to bring cars back, I simply don't see how cars driving past their stores (and still having to park in the public lots) will do anything to increase their business.

Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep moving toward a long term goal of a beautiful, car-free promenade.

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[NAME] 1014 Santa Barbara St. [EMAIL]

[ Re-authorize the State Street closure. Please. Let's not go backwards. We are business owners on State, and live Downtown. Please for the sake of our businesses and the health of our comunity keep State Street car free!!!!! One Street is not too much to ask.

[NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Do not put cars back on State Street. Thank you!

[ Cars are pretty useless on state street. All it does is attract inconsiderate people to drive their loud vehicles on the weekends. Please do not open it back up to cars.

Enviat des del meu iPhone

I DO NOT support state street opening up to cars.

I REALLY, REALLY LOVE the idea of State Street being more people and community focused.

The mockups look like a utpoian version of State Street I would be thrilled to live in.

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Please reauthorize title 31.

Love, Steven

Open up State Street and see the economic benefits it will bring!!

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

[ I am a Santa Barbara resident writing in support of keeping State Street car free. Santa Barbara is such a unique and wonderful destination and State Street has the potential to be a stand out global attraction that thrives with both local community traffic & tourism.

If there are additional funds to spend on the area, I would strongly prefer they be spent on community improvements or events that make the area safer or more desirable versus continuing to repeat studies that reconfirm that the community prefers a walkable space, or worse using the funds to tear out progress that has been made.

While there are improvements needed to ensure the downtown area is thriving and safe, returning cars to the area solves neither problem. Nor will it make any difference in the empty storefronts, predatory rents, or homeless issues that have plagued State Street in the past several years. These are the areas to focus on.

This is an extraordinary and vibrant community and it deserves a downtown space that lives up to the true potential of the city. State Street should be the thriving heart of the city and all plans should be focused on healthy walkable and successful destination.

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Thank you, [NAME]

Dear Mayor & City Council: I'm writing to express my support for keeping State Street car-free.

While I don't live in the City of Santa Barbara, I visit frequently, especially State Street. I often drive, and sometimes I visit on my bike. Either way, having this section of State Street closed to cars makes visiting a more pleasant experience. To re-introduce cars to State Street would still not increase parking, and it would not increase accessibility to the businesses in this area. What it would do is make this area less safe for all and a less desirable place to visit.

I encourage you to preserve the pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements that have been a part of the current configuration. This is a major corridor for the city's bicycle network, providing a relative safer and low-stress route for families, seniors, and new cyclists of all ages.

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Keeping the existing car-free environment also makes economic sense. Most businesses along the corridor have already reported higher revenue since the street went car-free; reverting now risks undoing the positive changes that are already in motion. Reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

The City may also have to remove the Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State & Carrillo.

With the car-free configuration of State Street, visiting and shopping there are much more pleasant experiences. It's easier to walk around. It's easier to cross the Street. It's safer to spend time and shop there. Please reauthorize Title 31.

Sincerely, Kyle -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [NAME] "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

129 ~Margaret Mead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ I'm writing to urge you to keep State Street closed to cars.

I live downtown at 18 W. Victoria Street and I walk and bike on State Street practically every day. Since the street has been closed to cars it seems safer and much more of a vital neighborhood. More housing downtown is desirable, and it's a much more enjoyable place to live with the street closed.

Some days there are so many visitors along many blocks that it's hard to stay on the sidewalk. I observe many more people going in and out of shops and restaurants than when the street was open to cars. Granted, more should be done to stop reckless bike riding, which seems to mostly be kids. Still, it's great to see families, seniors, locals and visitors all enjoying the experience of visiting State Street.

Since the DSBIA began, the area is much cleaner than before. As an assessed member of the DSBIA, I object to their position on opening the street to cars, especially since I haven't seen any survey that they've done on the opinion of all of their assessed members.

Please support a car-free State Street.

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Thank you [NAME] 18 W. Victoria Street

Hi, This message is in support of Keeping State Street closed to cars.

I've lived in Santa Barbara for 20 years and I've lived in the DT area ( a few blocks from State) for the last 16 years. Closing State St. to cars opened it up for my wife, 2 young sons, and me. We go there more often and get more enjoyment out of it than we ever did before the closure.

I can let my kids ride their bikes and scooters there independently knowing they are safer in a car free area. We did not dine or shop much there before because the options and seating were limited and now love to just sit outside and watch SB life go by.

We, and everyone we know, go to State St to shop, eat, and hang out far more now than we did before the closure.PLEASE do not open it back up to cars!! The current situation is not without flaws but is still far more enjoyable and vibrant than it ever was before closure.

Thank you, - -- [NAME] Associate Researcher Climate Hazards Center UCSB Geography http://www.frankdavenport.com/

I live about a mile from the car-free blocks of State and I walk or bike to work there every day. My "commute" gets immeasurably more pleasant the moment I stop having to navigate noisy, stinky, dangerous cars. I love taking breaks mid-day to stroll State and grab a pastry or lunch at a nearby restaurant, or to come down at sunset for a drink at Dusk.

I know there are design challenges to be overcome, but re-opening to cars would be a tragic step backwards. I first moved to Santa Barbara more than 20 years ago, and [NAME] is so, so, so much more pleasant to be on than at any point I can remember. Please don't let a small but vocal set of people dissuade you from the right thing: keep State car-free!

Thank you, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] To whom it may concern, I am vehemently opposed to cars ever returning to State Street. Having a car free cycling and walking thoroughfare in the center of town has been life changing, making my daily commute safer, our city more lively, and our downtown more beautiful. Not only do I hope that state street continues to be car free, I hope that the city goes forward with a master plan which strives to make this car free street a more permanent feature of our city. Furthermore, I encourage you to investigate other streets in our town which could be shut down to car traffic, careless streets are the way to go!

Thank you and best, [NAME]

I like being able to wander along State Street without traffic and cars. I like the sidewalk restaurants and the farmers markets; I loved when the pianos were on the street and people were playing them. I visit State Street fairly frequently and am always impressed with how vibrant and busy it is — vibrant and busy, and yet in a quieter, more relaxed way. It's nice without cars.

Please keep State Street car-free.

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Thank you.

[NAME] 48 La Cumbre Circle Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Certaines personnes qui ont [NAME] ne reçoivent pas souvent de e-mail de la part de [EMAIL]. Pourquoi c'est important

State Street is so much more enjoyable since we closed it to cars. I love the expanded seating and dining areas. Having a safe thoroughfare to ride my bike provides peace of mind and brings me down State more than I ever did in my car.

Reopening half the block in front of Granada was a mistake, it was more enjoyable when good lion and sama sama had the outdoor dining. Handicap accessible drop off for the Granada should be made available from the back parking lot.

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Keep it open! It's what everyone wants, and we are starting to figure out how to better utilize the space.

- [NAME]

Dear Members of the Santa Barbara City Council – In my view, closing State Street to cars was a great decision that has made the downtown area much more desirable. I come down to State Street (and spend money at retail shops and restaurants) much more often because State Street is pedestrian friendly. I acknowledge the problems with e-bikes and e-motorcycles, but the solution to that problem is to restrict their use on State Street, not to bring back cars. Respecƞully, [NAME] Bren School of Environmental Science and Management University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5131 office: 3424 [NAME] email: [EMAIL] phone: (805) 893-2788 website: https://bren.ucsb.edu/people/andrew-plantinga Environmental Markets Lab (emLab): https://emlab.ucsb.edu/

Dear SB City Council, I'm writing in support of keeping downtown State Street in Santa Barbara car-free. I only moved here a few months ago, but I was immediately struck by how vibrant and lively the car free portions of State Street are. It feels safer and more comfortable to walk on State Street than the downtown of pretty any other city I've been to, and the businesses seem to be thriving. Please keep it that way!!

Sincerely, Annapurna Post-Leon

[ Downtown Santa Barbara is safer, more inviting, and an overall better experience when we don't have cars. When state street blocked off cars it was a signal that we are trying to invest in our community. Cars create wasted space that's taken from pedestrians. It would be a true shame to open state street back up.

Hello! I am writing yet again to express my support for a car-free State Street. In fact, I'm not quite sure why we are still having this conversation. Please, I am begging the City Council to just build the dang thing already. Give us a beautiful, inviting space for our community to thrive in the heart of our city.

I live four blocks from State and am on the street just about every day. It is a far more pleasant, lively place now that it ever was when cars were allowed to drive on it. There are people -- walking, riding bikes, hanging out in parklets, enjoying each other and the outdoors.

Please continue the Promenade and expedite the planning/execution of the master plan for a car-free, people-friendly downtown.

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With many thanks, jen.

[NAME] santa barbara, ca

[ Hello and thank you for your attention to this matter.

It's unwise to spend money to reopen State temporarily. If it's done, I don't see the council reauthorizing its closure afterward and spending money again to close it. It's so much more pleasant to spend time on State with the closure and it actually feels lively for the first time in my life. There's no want for additional parking.

Businesses should also be considered - many of them have staffed up to cover additional seating in parklets and they have been jerked around by this tug-of-war between a limited number of landlords and what the majority of people using State want. Please keep State closed to cars.

… 1 more paragraph

Thank you, [NAME]

I am writing in support of keeping State St car free. It has taken some time and many adjustments, but I feel we are definitely on the right track. I took some time today to read comments from small business owners on State Street that were very much in favor of keeping it free of cars.. their opinions matter!

It is so much more enjoyable to go to dinner and a show and maybe catch a little jazz or an ice cream after. We have discovered new places to try because that is what happens when you are out walking and enjoying your surroundings.

This is the future I hope we will choose for our beautiful home.

… 1 more paragraph

I remember when State Street was first opened up to pedestrians/bikers only and I believe we should not go back to allowing cars. I love the extra outdoor seating it gives restaurants. I love having more space to walk along State without being limited to the sidewalks. Driving on Anacapa or Chapala has always been quicker and easier anyways.

We should be continuing to make Santa Barbara more accessible. Walkable cities are the future! Also, reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing.

Please do not undo all the progress that has been done to make State Street safer and more enjoyable.

The majority of Santa Barbarans want no cars on State so let's keep it that way!

… 1 more paragraph

Best, [NAME]

Please extend / re-authorize Title 31 to keep State Street car free!

The downtown area is so much more pleasant, safe, active and fun without cars! Pedestrians and cyclists are what you need for success on State - not cars.

Please keep the pedestrian zone.

… 2 more paragraphs

Thanks!

[NAME] Santa Barbara

SB Officials, Please keep State Street car-free! It is a material improvement that makes downtown much more accessible and inviting.

[NAME]

Please keep state street open. It's the obvious choice. And has made downtown more vital. I own a business just off state street and the car free street has made life so much better.

[NAME], Psy.D.

Please keep state street car free!

The car-free street makes me feel so much more safe as a pedestrian. The quiet and safety from vehicles makes state street one of my favorite places to go, and I always take visitors there.

Cars are noisy, polluting, and lethal and state street is out downtown's only refuge from them, allowing pedestrians to really enjoy the space and small businesses.

… 3 more paragraphs

I strongly support keeping cars off State Street!

Thank you for your deliberation on this issue and please support our pedestrian community!

[NAME]

[ Please vote YES to keep State Street car-free.

Walking along State Street without the noise, exhaust, and hazards of cars is truly pleasant and makes us want to visit the restaurants, theaters, and bars more frequently. The plan to have retractable bollards to allow emergency vehicles and parades is a good one. Those are the only vehicles that are really necessary on the State Street Paseo.

Thank you for giving us a true gathering space for humans.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME]

TO: Santa Barbara City Council Please reauthorize Title 31 while the full Master Plan continues toward adoption later this summer. The car-free street makes downtown safer, cleaner and more pleasant for all.

[NAME] 741 Senda Verde #B Santa Barbara, CA 93105

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Do not open State St. to cars! It's safer and a much more enjoyable experience without cars.

It was always stressful to drive on State anyway. Keep it as is!

… 1 more paragraph

Plus, you already voted to keep it closed. Why are we doing this again? Will we just keep re-voting until the other side of the argument gets their way?

Dear Clerk of Santa Barbara, I am writing to express my support for keeping State street closed to cars. Back when State street was open to cars, I personally was almost hit by a car speeding up State street. State Street is much safer and more pleasant without cars. I use the bike lane to commute to my job in the funk zone, and it is a very safe way to get across town.

Related, I have two safety concerns with how the bike lane has been working: 1.) I have seen a lot of kids on e-bikes who ride dangerously. They don't stay on their side of the bike lane, ride multiple riders across, swerve back and forth, pop wheelies, and ride at unsafe speeds. My personal opinion is that the only way to improve this dynamic is for the police to write tickets and educate them on safe riding.

2.) There are also always pedestrians walking in the bike lane. I've personally had close calls when young kids in a group next to the bike lane suddenly running into the bike lane. Perhaps, striping a third lane, just for pedestrians, similar to the butterfly beach area could improve this problem? I would also say that the Cabrillo bike lane is dangerous for the same reason.

Lastly, thank you to all the people at the City who have put so much thoughtful time and energy into this issue.

… 1 more paragraph

Thanks, [NAME]

Dear SB City Council, I enthusiastically encourage you to please reauthorize Title 31 to keep State Street car-free. One of my absolute favorite parts about Santa Barbara (third only to the beach and the mountains) is the lively, safe, and car-free State Street area. I absolutely love walking around State Street with my friends and family, not having to worry about cars, smell exhaust, or hear loud trucks rolling by. The expanded outdoor eating areas are so perfect for a place with as great of weather as SB. The electric shuttles seem like a perfect solution for those who have limited availability, and I think solutions like that are far smarter and community-oriented than just opening up the whole street to cars again. Logistically, it's also more affordable to keep State Street car-free compared to ripping out the new sidewalk infrastructure and bike lanes that have been developed.

It's also WAY safer. It is the only place downtown that I actually feel safe biking. This issue in particular is deeply personal to me. Last fall, my fiancé was hit by a car while he was biking downtown. He suffered a severe concussion, broken clavicle, broken neck, and broken ankle. His helmet saved his life. Biking around SB is incredibly dangerous, and drivers do not pay enough attention while driving around town despite the high number of pedestrians and bikers. A car-free State Street is essential to the safety of bikers and pedestrians who want to enjoy downtown SB without having to worry about getting run over by a careless driver.

Please, for all of us in Santa Barbara who love spending an afternoon wandering around State Street with our loved ones, reauthorize Title 31. Thank you for taking the time to read public comments, and thank you for serving our community on the City Council.

… 1 more paragraph

All the best, [NAME] -- [NAME] (she/her) PhD Candidate | Bren School of Environmental Science and Management University of California, Santa Barbara Past and Future Climates Group [EMAIL] | 231-838-1254 | LinkedIn | sadiecwikiel.com UCSB is situated on the unceded lands of the Barbareño Chumash people

Dear Mayor and City Council, I write to urge you to keep State Street permanently car-free from Haley to Victoria. I have been a resident of Santa Barbara for 7 years, the last 5 of which I've lived downtown. I have an undergraduate degree from UC Davis in sustainable urban and regional planning and I moved to Santa Barbara in 2019 to get my master's degree in environmental policy at UCSB's Bren School. After graduating, I was encouraged by my employer to move to Los Angeles to be closer to my office and colleagues. However, despite the economic challenges of living in Santa Barbara as a young person, I can't bring myself to leave. And its not because I think I will find my future husband here among the many surfers and manchildren living out of their vans. I love Santa Barbara because every day I feel safe and comfortable walking, biking, and running wherever my heart desires.

State Street being closed to cars gives me peace of mind that I won't be brutally screamed at and flipped- off by men driving by in their trucks for not "biking on the sidewalk" as I have been while biking in the Class II bike lane on Cabrillo Street. State Street being closed to cars means that I feel safe walking and biking home late at night with the majority of my commute being isolated from potential drunk drivers. And State Street being closed to cars makes me incredibly proud to show off our little city to my friends and family who visit from other very special places - Carmel-by-the-Sea, Hawaii, Europe, New York, Napa Valley, etc - and who all fall in love with Santa Barbara. The State Street promenade sets downtown Santa Barbara apart from other desireable California and US cities because, whether people want to admit it or not, walkable, activtated urban spaces make us feel happy, engaged, seen, and connected. The city feels alive and human when cars are taken out of the picture. If anything, we should be discussing how to further activate and embrace State Street as a space for pedestrian enjoyment.

Please, do not go backwards. Keep State Street closed to cars.

… 1 more paragraph

Thank you, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear Santa Barbara City Council, As someone born and raised in downtown Santa Barbara I urge you to please reopen State Street to vehicle traffic and aim to return State St. to a vibrant, safe place and a good representation of our beautiful city. Growing up in Santa Barbara being able to go on car rides down State St, being part of the historic Fiestas, Christmas and Summer Solstice parades, riding the downtown shuttle and shopping at quality stores is a core memory of my childhood and early adulthood. People learn about businesses and restaurants WHILE DRIVING. I no longer go downtown at all unless it's for an errand or I need to buy something at the few retail stores left. The high turn over of businesses and business closures has made it so that SB is no longer a quality shopping hub to do in person shopping. The idea that pedestrian traffic will slow down if [NAME] is open is false. What will decrease are the amount of bike accidents with reckless bikers/scooters/etc. What [NAME] has become is not a good representation of what this beautiful city is. Loitering, make shift kitchens/vendors after hours, unsafe bikers mixed with pedestrians that need to look over the shoulders to not be run over and random objects in the street is not making SB more beautiful. Open State St. back to how it was. This city is not only meant for bikers. The block of Castillo between Micheltorena and Sola St. is a parking disaster for the families that have been living there for generations all for the couple bikers that actually use the bike lane on any given day. We do not need to be the #1 most bikeable city in America. There are plenty of bike lanes, trails and places in Santa Barbara for bikers. Please prioritize pedestrians, fixing our roads and improving lighting for the existing vehicle traffic in our neighborhoods. So much money has been wasted on this topic; on something that never needed fixing in the first place.

Tourism will still continue, pedestrians will be able to walk without looking over their shoulder, and our historic events can return to their deserved location. We are not Santa Monica, we do not need a State St. promenade. We are Santa Barbara.

… 1 more paragraph

Sincerely, Elizabeth Concerned citizen

Dear Santa Barbara: I'm a regular walker, shopper, and fan of downtown State Street. I was especially pleased during the period when electric bikes were discouraged from speeding up the middle. But in any case, the air is so much fresher and cooler and the trees and plants are so much healthier without the cars. Drivers have the run of the entire city except for these few blocks -- please allow pedestrians to continue to enjoy them.

Thank you, [NAME] 2801 [NAME] Santa Barbara 805-455-4974

Hi Team, I am writing to express my strong support for keeping State Street fully closed to car traffic and fully open to pedestrians and bikes at all hours. A pedestrianized State Street is a huge draw for locals (like us!) and tourists alike, and encourages us to visit businesses downtown and interact with our communities. It also provides a much needed safe haven for pedestrians, cyclists, and rambunctious toddlers in a city full of increasingly large and dangerous cars and trucks. Keeping State Street car-free seems like a no- brainer from a community, business, and economic perspective, and doing so will save the City money in the short and long run while increasing tax revenue from added business and rent as the area becomes more attractive.

Thanks for all of your hard work in service of making Santa Barbara a wonderful place to live and visit!

… 1 more paragraph

Thanks, [NAME]

Keep State Street open! The common argument that it would "bring more business" to state street makes no sense, as there was never parking for easy access to stores on state to begin with. Having the street open for walkers and bikers makes it accessible to all, and parking on every cross street makes it accessible for those who can't walk far.

The plan to open it overnight seems like a recipe for disaster between drunk folks walking and biking around state and potential for drunk drivers coming through.

Keep it open! Thank you!

Dear City Council members: I urge you to keep State Street car-free and keep the magic of the pedestrian/ bike corridor alive. State Street has become a destination for many of my friends and family. We meet up to listen to live music, watch World Cup soccer matches, stroll the Farmer's Market, dine [NAME] in the parklets, and go to the movies. What I love most about the car-free street is that I can relax in a peaceful environment, catch up with friends and neighbors, not worrying about noise, traffic, cars. We also love the little golf carts that provide free rides, connecting the different ends of the street. I feel safe riding my bicycle and have switched to running almost all errands on two wheels. Please keep the magic of State Street going and keep it a pedestrian zone.

Many thanks for your consideration.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] 1809 Cliff Street, SB 93109

State street is a crucial part of my bike commute! It is safer for pedestrians and bikes without cars. I am willing to ride the extra few blocks just to ride down state street because I feel much safer. Please don't open state street up to cars!

Please keep State Street closed to cars but include: NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH A LICENSE TO MOVE PEOPLE FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

E-bikes are dangerous in the areas where people are walking and these bikes are out of control! There is no reason they should be allowed in the areas that are setup for pedestrians. There are currently no regulations governing the use of these bikes that should include an age limit, speed, helmets, test etc. They are no different than a motorcycle! Personally I would prefer not seeing bikes or skateboards either but that might be a harder to pass.

Thank you [NAME] Santa Barbara Resident

Hi, I've lived in SB for 50 years and am saddened at the neglect of State street. But I wholeheartedly believe that no cars on state street is the better than allowing them. There are so many lovely towns in the US that are car free and make you feel you are on vacation. Pearl street in Boulder and Santa Monica has one too. Europe is full of them. Cars have never been allowed to stop on state street so I really don't understand any advantage to allowing them. Just to have more looky-loos. More car exhaust.

Currently state street is still a mess. Bikes should not be allowed. These motorized bikes are the same as cars and the lanes take up the majority of the road. Remove bikes as well (unless walking them) and allow restaurants to expand out and have more room. Add pop ups in the middle of the street.

Flower beds and benches. So much more enticing than allowing cars to drive down the street.

… 1 more paragraph

Thx [NAME] from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

[ Keep state street free of cars! Instead, spend a little energy and budget to permanently transform the promenade. Ie: dd dedicated bike lanes with curbing - this has all been done before, take a trip to the Netherlands or Denmark and copy the pros.

… 1 more paragraph

Keep State street Car-Free and open to bikes!!!

I commute daily from home on the mesa to hospital & oƯice on the bike, + take the kids on the cargo bike up state on the weekend for lunch, activities & treats. My wife and I ride downtown instead of driving for date nights. So much nicer, more vibrant and safer without cars. I grew up here in SB (1983), and empty retail & business were absolutely present when cars were there before COVID. Cars will NOT increase business revenue.

I plead with SB city council to double down on pedestrian access and good bike lanes. It's a jewel of our town!!

[NAME] MD, MA Assistant Clinical Professor Division of Hematology/Oncology [EMAIL] Phone (805) 563-0041 Fax (805) 563-0051 111 [NAME], Third Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 uclahealth.org/community-cancercare/santa-Barbara UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this message from your computer.

State Street is so much more enjoyable since we closed it to cars. I love the expanded seating and dining areas. Having a safe thoroughfare to ride my bike provides peace of mind and brings me down State more than I ever did in my car.

Reopening half the block in front of Granada was a mistake, it was more enjoyable when good lion and sama sama had the outdoor dining. Handicap accessible drop off for the Granada should be made available from the back parking lot.

… 2 more paragraphs

Keep it open! It's what everyone wants, and we are starting to figure out how to better utilize the space.

- [NAME]

… 1 more paragraph

Attention City Council Members, Please allow Title 31 to expire and return State Street to its pre Covid configuration, with traffic lanes in both directions for vehicles.

Include a turn out lane for emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, pick-up drop-off for passengers including handicapped for easier access store fronts.

All bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters and skateboards should ride in the street.

Keep sidewalks safe for pedestrians.

… 4 more paragraphs

Return mid-block crosswalks for pedestrians.

Please reinforce all traffic rules for all modes of transportation.

Keep State Street Safe for all.

[NAME]

… 1 more paragraph

Please allow Title 31 to expire and return State Street to its pre Covid configuration, with traffic lanes in both directions for vehicles.

Include a turn out lane for emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, pick-up drop-off for passengers including handicapped for easier access to store fronts.

All bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters and skateboards should ride in the street.

Keep sidewalks safe for pedestrians.

… 4 more paragraphs

Return mid-block crosswalks for pedestrians.

Please enforce all traffic rules for all modes of transportation.

Keep State Street Safe For All!

[NAME]

I've been a resident since 1980 and believe what has happened to downtown is nothing short of a travesty.

Open State St to car traffic, get the wreckless, disrespectful, dangerous teen e-bikers in their own lane - the bike lane between the cars and the sidewalk, and bring people back to the businesses downtown.

This change has met with widespread disapproval of your constituents as evidenced by the fact so few people go downtown.

… 2 more paragraphs

State Street is no longer a highly desireable place which is truly sad and in need of am immediate change in course.

[NAME] Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Please let the City Council know that I strongly support continuing title 31 to allow State Street to continue in its current configuration as a promenade with outdoor restaurant seating and as a pedestrian-focused street, with possibilities for experimentation to create more seating and slow down e-bikes.

I am a long time resident of Santa Barbara City and I frequently visit the businesses on State Street. I have no problem parking my car in the city owned lots and I also frequently ride my electric bicycle on the bypass.

Thank you, [NAME] 3731 [NAME], Santa Barbara, CA 93105

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Hi, I've been living in Santa Barbara on and off since 2004 and would love to see State Street remain car free. It's incredibly more vibrant as a car-free zone! We just need more plants, more grass, less segmentation between sidewalks and street! Also, more patrolling, kept safe for kids and free of cars (and speeding ebikes!).

Thanks!

… 1 more paragraph

Alex

Return State to cars in both directions with bike lanes also.

Please make State Street a beautiful community space without cars in perpetuity. The challenge is finding the money to do this and dealing with the biking community to reduce the conflict between bikers and pedestrians.

Hi, I've lived in SB for 50 years and am saddened at the neglect of State street. But I wholeheartedly believe that no cars on state street is the better than allowing them. There are so many lovely towns in the US that are car free and make you feel you are on vacation. Pearl street in Boulder and Santa Monica has one too. Europe is full of them. Cars have never been allowed to stop on state street so I really don't understand any advantage to allowing them. Just to have more looky-loos. More car exhaust.

Currently state street is still a mess. Bikes should not be allowed. These motorized bikes are the same as cars and the lanes take up the majority of the road. Remove bikes as well (unless walking them) and allow restaurants to expand out and have more room. Add pop ups in the middle of the street.

Flower beds and benches. So much more enticing than allowing cars to drive down the street.

Thx [NAME] from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

Please keep state street car free! I've lived in downtown Santa Barbara for over 5 years and I'm a patron of multiple businesses downtown every single day because state street is such a pleasant place to be without cars. The atmosphere of community, music, culture, arts, is all thriving without cars and it is one of the reasons I choose to live in Santa Barbara.

Tourists flock to town on weekends to spend the day walking up and down state street because it is such a nice atmosphere without cars. I walk this street every day and marvel at the beauty of the trees, architecture and culture that state street creates. It's the most unique part of the town and it makes Santa Barbara special.

There is ample parking to get to businesses in parking decks right on the street - parking should not be a reason for needing to reopen state street to cars. There wouldn't even be even be that many parking spaces on the street if it opened. Also, reopening state street would make it much more dangerous for pedestrians and bikers!

Thank you!

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] W Canon [NAME], Santa Barbara, CA 93101 - via iPhone

Keep State Street open! The common argument that it would "bring more business" to state street makes no sense, as there was never parking for easy access to stores on state to begin with. Having the street open for walkers and bikers makes it accessible to all, and parking on every cross street makes it accessible for those who can't walk far.

The plan to open it overnight seems like a recipe for disaster between drunk folks walking and biking around state and potential for drunk drivers coming through.

… 1 more paragraph

Keep it open! Thank you!

Hello, I am a resident of downtown Santa Barbara. I have lived in the heart of downtown for the last 15 years. I walk and bike through downtown, using the state street corridor, almost daily. I often stop at a restaurant or a local store to make a purchase. My friends and family members and I attend downtown events because we can do so easily and enjoy the pleasant car free atmosphere. I use the state street loop shuttle 1-2 times per week and utilize the state street ebike stations several times a week.

If street opens to cars I, and other residents, will be less likely to spend time and money downtown because it will be less appealing. There is no parking on state street and the cars only bring hazards, noise, traffic, and pollution. It is undeniable that the small businesses and restaurants have increased patronage and visibility because of the foot traffic increase caused by the street closure.

I hope that you will take the widespread public support of the state street closure into consideration and avoid the costly process of reopening the street to cars. Please consider the negative impacts that increased car traffic would have on our downtown community and small businesses. Please keep state street community and business friendly.

Thank you, [NAME]

… 2 more paragraphs

Hi, I would like to voice my strong strong support for keeping State Street Car-Free and reauthorizing Title 31.

Having a car-free space to safely walk around one of the liveliest parts of our city is absolutely essential to the vitality of this community. I have not met a single person who prefers to have cars driving, and everyone loves being able to safely explore, shop, eat, and drink without the threat of cars.

I speak from experience as someone who was recently hit by a truck in a hit-and-run, just one block off of State Street. Cars are dangerous, and drivers in this city are some of the least aware of pedestrians.

There is plenty of parking available near state street, plenty of side roads to take, and I have never had an issue transporting myself to downtown and would receive no benefit by being able to drive on this one additional street.

It would add a lot of cost to opening up State Street, and I personally think it would hurt business. I am excited to walk around on State St. now, but if it became a street for cars again, I would not come down there as often. Please maintain this vibrant part of our city, it is really one of the best aspects of our town to both locals as well as those visiting. Anyone who suggests it would bring businesses back to bring cars back has no idea what they are talking about, and I'm sure you can tell.

… 3 more paragraphs

Cheers, Neil -- [NAME] Scientist Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory Email: [EMAIL] To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

UC Santa Barbara

Hi, I'm writing in support of keeping State Street car free. Even when it was open to cars, I never drove on it because parking options are much better on other streets. Since it closed to driving, it has been a much better experience. It has a European feel to it, feels more community-oriented, and also is safer not worrying about cars as I walk around.

I think my visits to state street would decrease dramatically if cars were allowed on the road again. It truly has been one of the best updates to downtown SB in the ~10 years I've been here!

There should be some laws about young folks not driving e-bikes without a drivers license perhaps to make things safer, but that is a separate issue.

… 2 more paragraphs

Please consider keeping it car free!

Best, Ally

[ Dear Santa Barbara, Please keep State Street care free!

So many cities around the world and here in California have done this to much success, please look at the Promenade in Santa Monica. Business is thriving. Cars driving up and down state street doesn't make it any easier to access the shops, cars still have to park on either side of State Street. I would prefer if bicycles were not allowed just pedestrians, please.

Take wheels and machines of of the most beautiful avenue in Santa Barbara.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] and [NAME] 2732 Painted Cave Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Dear Santa Barbara, Please keep State Street care free!

So many cities around the world and here in California have done this to much success, please look at the Promenade in Santa Monica. Business is thriving. Cars driving up and down state street doesn't make it any easier to access the shops, cars still have to park on either side of State Street. I would prefer if bicycles were not allowed just pedestrians, please. Take wheels and machines of of the most beautiful avenue in Santa Barbara.

[NAME] and [NAME] 2732 Painted Cave Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Hello City Council members, Regarding item 26 for the June 30th meeting, please vote to keep State Street car free. This part of the street has never had parking, just loading zones, so access has not been impeded in any way since this change was orginally made.

Sincerely, [NAME]

[ State Street should remain car free! It doesn't make sense to open cars on state street since there's not even parking on state street. You have to walk if you take a car no matter what.

Hello- please do not vote to let cars back on state street. The final state st enhancements will make a beautiful walking and biking which will be a great tourist attraction.

Please also do not give all the parking garages to developers. Having great parking options is a bonus.

All the best, [NAME] 805-883-8185 Let's brighten the world together!

… 2 more paragraphs

Website www.katbleudesign.com Instagram [HANDLE] To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

"Sweet Disposition", 2025

[ Downtown Santa Barbara is safer, more inviting, and an overall better experience when we don't have cars. When state street blocked off cars it was a signal that we are trying to invest in our community. Cars create wasted space that's taken from pedestrians. It would be a true shame to open state street back up.

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I love car-free State Street. and although it's not perfect, we can make it better.

I don't understand the argument of the (few) business owners who want to bring cars back, I simply don't see how cars driving past their stores (and still having to park in the public lots) will do anything to increase their business.

Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep moving toward a long term goal of a beautiful, car-free promenade.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] 1014 Santa Barbara St. [EMAIL]

This is just silly at this point. The data is clear, state street is doing better than it was pre- pandemic, when cars were allowed. Car on State Street was not, is not, and will not be the solution. The master plan that makes State into a 3rd place is the answer. Stop with this back and forth. No cars on state! Locals and visitor (who's dollars we spend on) live the promenade and want it made preeminent.

Thank you [NAME] (518) 415-2309 [EMAIL] "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will believe its whole life that it is stupid" - [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Do not open State St. to cars! It's safer and a much more enjoyable experience without cars.

It was always stressful to drive on State anyway. Keep it as is!

Plus, you already voted to keep it closed. Why are we doing this again? Will we just keep re-voting until the other side of the argument gets their way?

[ Please do not allow cars back on state street, especially at night. People are accustomed to walking state street now and allowing cars back on them will be a pedestrian safety risk.

It will also ruin the wonderful environment that's been created. It is so joyous to be able to walk down that street freely.

… 1 more paragraph

Sent from my iPhone

I DO NOT support state street opening up to cars.

I REALLY, REALLY LOVE the idea of State Street being more people and community focused.

… 3 more paragraphs

The mockups look like a utpoian version of State Street I would be thrilled to live in.

Please reauthorize title 31.

Love, Steven

[ Cars are pretty useless on state street. All it does is attract inconsiderate people to drive their loud vehicles on the weekends. Please do not open it back up to cars.

Enviat des del meu iPhone

Hi, Please keep state street car free! State street is more fun, safe, and vibrant without cars.

The current system is working. We have enough parking. We can travel safely and swiftly across state street to get where we need to go. And now the heart of Santa Barbara is a welcoming place for all.

-- [NAME] [EMAIL] 805-760-3905 UC Santa Barbara | 2017

[ DO NOT ALLOW CARS ON STATE STREET!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Please keep state street open. It's the obvious choice. And has made downtown more vital. I own a business just off state street and the car free street has made life so much better.

[NAME], Psy.D.

Dear Mayor Rowse and City Council, I am writing to urge you to reject the State Street Master Plan and any plan that would permanently close State Street to automobile traffic.

I have closely followed this process over the years. What I observed left me deeply concerned—not only about the decision to keep State Street closed, but also about the direction being proposed for the future of downtown Santa Barbara.

The discussion seems to prioritize themed placemaking over the qualities that have made Santa Barbara one of the most beautiful and distinctive cities in California. Rather than reinforcing our architectural heritage and historic character, many of the concepts appeared better suited to a theme park than to the civic heart of our city. [NAME] Street into "districts" with whimsical design elements risks replacing Santa Barbara's timeless identity with something artificial and trendy.

This vision does not stop at State Street. It extends to surrounding streets and neighborhoods, gradually degrading the character of our historic downtown far beyond the promenade itself.

[NAME] devoted her life to preserving the architectural integrity and beauty of Santa Barbara.

The design standards that distinguish our city were carefully developed over generations. They deserve to be strengthened, not diluted.

Beyond the design concerns, I continue to oppose the permanent closure of State Street to automobiles. State Street has always been the commercial and civic spine of Santa Barbara.

Businesses depend on visibility and convenient access. Residents, seniors, visitors, and people with mobility challenges deserve a downtown that is accessible to everyone, regardless of how they travel.

A successful downtown should accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and motorists—not permanently exclude one of those groups.

The City has already invested significant time and money in this process. That is all the more reason to avoid committing even greater public resources to a plan that permanently alters the character of Santa Barbara while remaining deeply divisive within the community.

I respectfully ask you to reject the current Master Plan, repeal Title 31, and reopen State Street to automobile traffic. We need to pursue a balanced solution that restores accessibility while preserving the architectural heritage and timeless character that make Santa Barbara unique.

Thank you for your consideration.

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Respectfully, [NAME] since 1991

[NAME] Mayor and City Council, I'm writing in support of Item 26 to urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and keep State Street Car-free. I love State Street, and I say that as someone who does not drive. I grew up in New York City, where getting around on foot is simply how life works, and being in a walkable place is vital to me. Santa Barbara has built exactly that on State Street. That walkability is a big part of what made me feel welcomed here into the community. I'm also a PhD student researching how we make cities more walkable and liveable, and State Street is one of the top examples I point to in my own work. When I explain why features like outdoor dining, open-air markets, and spaces for community gathering matter, this is the place I describe. It isn't hypothetical for me, this is a concrete example of a successful walkable feature in a city, it's right here. And State Street does so much more than just look nice.

A car-free street keeps these areas open for community, for the small, ordinary moments that matter: passing a neighbor and stopping to talk, running into people, having room to just be around each other.

From my research, those things are real. Walkable public space supports our physical and mental health, it's better for the environment, and it strengthens the social ties that hold a neighborhood together. Santa Barbara has built something that many cities are still only planning for.

The practical case is just as strong. The City's own staff report shows that reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing, while letting it expire could cost around $700,000 to tear out the current setup and put vehicle lanes back. State Street is also the spine of the City's bike network, and reopening it to cars makes it a higher-stress route that families, older adults, and newer cyclists are far less likely to use. [NAME] and the expanded dining on the 500 block are current, and both depend on the street staying car- free. Businesses along the corridor have even reported higher revenue since the change. Reverting now would undo that momentum just when downtown is bouncing back.

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This is a low-cost, no-regrets decision. Title 31 only needs reauthorizing for the interim, while the full Master Plan (which Council already voted to support the concept of on April 28) keeps moving toward adoption later this summer.

Thank you so much for your time, and for the work you're doing on the future of State Street.

Sincerely, [NAME] of the 93117

Dear Mayor and City Council, I write to urge you to keep State Street permanently car-free from Haley to Victoria. I have been a resident of Santa Barbara for 7 years, the last 5 of which I've lived downtown. I have an undergraduate degree from UC Davis in sustainable urban and regional planning and I moved to Santa Barbara in 2019 to get my master's degree in environmental policy at UCSB's Bren School. After graduating, I was encouraged by my employer to move to Los Angeles to be closer to my office and colleagues. However, despite the economic challenges of living in Santa Barbara as a young person, I can't bring myself to leave. And its not because I think I will find my future husband here among the many surfers and manchildren living out of their vans. I love Santa Barbara because every day I feel safe and comfortable walking, biking, and running wherever my heart desires.

State Street being closed to cars gives me peace of mind that I won't be brutally screamed at and flipped- off by men driving by in their trucks for not "biking on the sidewalk" as I have been while biking in the Class II bike lane on Cabrillo Street. State Street being closed to cars means that I feel safe walking and biking home late at night with the majority of my commute being isolated from potential drunk drivers. And State Street being closed to cars makes me incredibly proud to show off our little city to my friends and family who visit from other very special places - Carmel-by-the-Sea, Hawaii, Europe, New York, Napa Valley, etc - and who all fall in love with Santa Barbara. The State Street promenade sets downtown Santa Barbara apart from other desireable California and US cities because, whether people want to admit it or not, walkable, activtated urban spaces make us feel happy, engaged, seen, and connected. The city feels alive and human when cars are taken out of the picture. If anything, we should be discussing how to further activate and embrace State Street as a space for pedestrian enjoyment.

Please, do not go backwards. Keep State Street closed to cars.

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Thank you, [NAME]

Hello, I am writing to voice my strong support for keeping State Street car-free.

This pedestrian- and bike-friendly zone makes Santa Barbara uniquely welcoming, vibrant, and profitable. Restoring vehicle lanes would impose a heavy fiscal burden on the city without justifiable benefit. Local businesses have reported stronger earnings since State Street went car-free, proving that foot traffic drives economic growth.

For my community and me, State Street offers a valuable "third space" to gather, shop, and dine. As a cyclist, I appreciate a space where I can ride downtown without fear of traffic. As a driver, I appreciate fewer bikes on the surrounding roads. As a pedestrian, I appreciate a vibrant space where I can safely walk and connect with the community day or night. We have a unique opportunity here to enjoy the beauty of coastal California without being confined to watching it from a car window or dealing with the constant hassles of driving.

In an era where true community spaces are dwindling, having a car-free downtown is essential for our collective well-being. Third spaces like this foster social connection, reduce isolation, and build a stronger sense of local trust and identity by allowing neighbors to cross paths naturally. These spaces encourage physical activity and time outside, reducing stress and boosting mental health across our community. Furthermore, keeping cars off State Street actively supports Santa Barbara's climate goals by cutting tailpipe emissions and noise pollution, moving us closer to a cleaner, greener future.

It would be a significant financial, social, and environmental loss to dismantle this incredible asset to our community. Thank you for your time and your continued dedication to Santa Barbara's future.

Thank you, [NAME]

[ I am a Santa Barbara resident writing in support of keeping State Street car free. Santa Barbara is such a unique and wonderful destination and State Street has the potential to be a stand out global attraction that thrives with both local community traffic & tourism.

If there are additional funds to spend on the area, I would strongly prefer they be spent on community improvements or events that make the area safer or more desirable versus continuing to repeat studies that reconfirm that the community prefers a walkable space, or worse using the funds to tear out progress that has been made.

While there are improvements needed to ensure the downtown area is thriving and safe, returning cars to the area solves neither problem. Nor will it make any difference in the empty storefronts, predatory rents, or homeless issues that have plagued State Street in the past several years. These are the areas to focus on.

This is an extraordinary and vibrant community and it deserves a downtown space that lives up to the true potential of the city. State Street should be the thriving heart of the city and all plans should be focused on healthy walkable and successful destination.

Thank you, [NAME]

public health and safety, and quality of life!

Dear City Council Member, I implore you as a resident of Downtown Santa Barbara with an infant, PLEASE keep cars off of State Street! Reauthorizing title 31 is low-cost compared to the alternative which costs $700,000 according to the city report.

Santa Barbara's downtown is the most pedestrian and bike friendly city in all of Southern California, a beacon and shining example for smart urban planning. Downtown SB is loved for its wonderful quality of life as a result of it's pedestrian friendly nature.

Cars are noxious, dangerous, and loud. Reintroducing them, even temporarily, will have costs, even beyond the $700,000 projected. A major pollution from automobiles is PM 2.5, a pollutant that can cause decreased cognition [1], heart and pulmonary disease [2], and is an acute hazard to sensitive groups [3].

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Please reauthorize and keep cars OFF OF STATE STREET!

Best, [NAME] [1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-70646-6 [2] https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm [3] https://www.epa.gov/pmcourse/patient-exposure-and-air-quality-index "Over the long term, the future is decided by optimists. To be an optimist you don't have to ignore all the many problems we create; you just have to imagine improving our capacity to solve problems." - [NAME]

To the Santa Barbara City Council, RE: Tuesday Jul 29 Agenda Item 26 - I'm writing to urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and maintain the current configuration of the State Street Promenade.

I moved to Santa Barbara in 2019 to attend the Bren School at UCSB, and secured a remote job for an environment nonprofit that enabled me to stay in town for the last 5 years. 90% of my decision to remain in Santa Barbara is proximity to a walkable downtown. I walk to the farmer's market twice a week to shop for groceries, I dine out on State Street at the local restaurants at least twice a week, and the majority of my shopping is conducted by walking to and along State. I ride a Bcycle to the East Beach volleyball courts at least 4 times a week. None of this would be even close to the same enjoyable experience if car traffic returned to State Street. It is significantly safer and more comfortable to travel downtown using the protected spaces, and duplication of accessible routes is particularly important when construction and road work block alternatives (current example: Castillo underpass).

To be clear, I use my car quite a lot - for quick errands, when I have a lot to carry, etc. But my experience is that the cross-street access and availability of parking provided along Chapala and Anacapa are more than sufficient to meet the needs of accessibility by car. If the City wants to support the aspects of downtown that promote accessibility, healthy mobility, a sense of place, and sustainability which attract younger generations who will continue to contribute to Santa Barbara's economy and community, I think keeping State Street car-free is non-negotiable.

Thank you for your consideration, 79 [NAME] Senior Manager, Climate & Insights She/Her/Hers (Why I use pronouns) [EMAIL] ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ReFED | Rethinking Food Waste LinkedIn · Instagram · ReFED.org ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, I'm writing to express my strong support for keeping State Street closed to cars and open to pedestrians, bikes, families, visitors, and local businesses.

The car-free State Street has become one of the best parts of downtown Santa Barbara. It makes our downtown feel more welcoming, vibrant, safe, and uniquely Santa Barbara. As someone who lives, works, shops, eats, and spends time in our community, I believe this has been a major improvement for both residents and businesses.

A pedestrian- and bike-friendly State Street encourages people to slow down, explore, visit local shops, eat at restaurants, meet friends, and spend more time downtown. That is good for business, and it is good for the character and health of the community. Instead of State Street being treated primarily as a roadway, it has become a shared public space where people actually want to gather.

I understand that there are details to improve, including accessibility, emergency access, design consistency, deliveries, maintenance, and making the space feel beautiful and intentional. But those are reasons to keep improving the promenade, not reasons to reopen State Street to cars. The right path forward is to invest in a thoughtful, safe, well-designed downtown corridor that prioritizes people first.

Santa Barbara has an opportunity to build a downtown that reflects our values: walkability, local business, public life, sustainability, and community connection. Reopening State Street to cars would be a step backward.

Please continue supporting a car-free State Street and move forward with a permanent vision that keeps it open, active, and welcoming for pedestrians, cyclists, businesses, residents, and visitors.

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Thank you for your service and for considering the voices of community members who want to see downtown Santa Barbara thrive.

Sincerely, [NAME]

To whom it may concern, I am writing to urge you to take the necessary steps to keep State Street car free. I am an 8 year resident of Santa Barbara, UCSB alum, and visited many times prior to this when car traffic was allowed on state.

I cannot emphasize the improvement in the quality of the downtown experience that results from a car- free, walkable State.

As a resident of Eastside, walking and biking through State is not only enjoyable, but it encourages me to support local businesses. Nearly every time I walk down State, I meet community members and explore new shops, something that I would not do if I had to drive and park.

When I am in downtown with my car, I actively wish I was walking or biking, as this is a faster, easier, and more enjoyable way to move about downtown. The parking situation and traffic are bad enough as is, I cannot even imagine what would happen with additional car traffic.

Remember that Santa Barbara is the American Riviera, and nearly a "Blue Zone;" the walkability and people-first design of a city has a direct impact on the physical and social health of its residents. Please continue our city's journey in the direction of health — no cars on State!!!!

Thank You, [NAME]

(!) Dear Mayor and Council, Previously, I submitted comments regarding the draft State Street Master Plan, in which I praised the plan and its originators for embracing pedestrianization as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and high quality of life in Santa Barbara. The State Street Promenade is, in fact, one of the defining reasons I chose to make Santa Barbara my home.

It recently came to my attention that the legislation establishing the promenade includes a sunset clause, and its future is once again up for deliberation.

I write to express my strong support for amending Title 31 to retain the promenade as the most practical interim implementation of the Master Plan. Reverting to the pre-pandemic, vehicle-oriented configuration would represent a costly step backward for pedestrian experience, economic vitality, roadway safety, and a more equitable, low-carbon future. Such a reversal is clearly in direct opposition to the objectives of the Plan.

It is my hope that the City will remain steadfast in maintaining and elevating the State Street Promenade as the unique pedestrian civic space it has become.

Sincerely, [NAME] of District 6 [EMAIL]

June 29, 2026 The Honorable Mayor Rowse and City Council Members City of Santa Barbara 735 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Re: June 30, 2026 City Council Meeting Written Public Comment for Item # 26. Subject: Interim Implementation of the State Street Master Plan Dear Mayor Rowse and Members of the City Council, I am a Downtown Santa Barbara resident and am writing to express my support for Option A: maintaining the State Street Promenade in its current configuration until the State Street Master Plan is implemented.

The State Street Promenade is within walking distance of my home, and I enjoy it daily. For me, it has the feel of a European-style pedestrian district, with its historic character, tree-lined streets, outdoor eateries and restaurants, social scene, outdoor markets, and bike paths.

The State Street Master Plan reflects the dedication of so many in the community, the city staff, and this Council, who have worked hard to help create a viable future for our downtown corridor, one that envisions a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant, safe, and uniquely inviting historic downtown center, an amenity for the Santa Barbara community and neighboring cities alike.

I am excited about the State Street Master Plan and respectfully request that Option A be adopted, maintaining the State Street Promenade in its current configuration to enable implementation of the Master Plan.

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Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our community.

Sincerely, [NAME] Architect Email: [EMAIL] T: 917-747-1934-1934

Dear Mayor, City Council, and those who call Santa Barbara their home, Please do not re-open State Street to cars. This is an important ongoing experiment. A pedestrian mall, a cultural paseo, revitalizes our downtown. Incubating organic development gives this City an opportunity to develop a unique downtown character and become a destination for locals and visitors alike.

Already, the area is becoming somewhere people want to linger; dine and shop as evidenced by the higher revenue reported by local businesses since the street went car-free. Currently, the [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs. Their continuing success depends on State Street staying car-free.

A car-free corridor is key to the City's bike network which, with the creation of separated pedestrian and bike lanes would make the downtown a healthier and, a more viable public space. The reduction in accidents has made the area demonstrably safer.

There is no downside to reauthorizing Title 31. It benefits everyone and costs nothing. In contrast, according to the City's staff report, leƫng it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

The budget to re-open State Street to cars only further accelerates depletion of Santa Barbara's coffers. And, to what end? A familiar urban ghost town that is unable to compete with Goleta's shopping malls?

Please thoughƞully exercise your decision making power for the good of this community. It's a wonderful life, if you have the vision to see its future.

Sincerely, [NAME] from my iPhone

Reopen State Street to TraƯic and Parades to Revitalize Our Community Dear Mayor and City Council, As a concerned member of the Santa Barbara County community, I am writing to strongly urge the City Council to reopen State Street to vehicular traƯic and return our downtown to the vibrant, flowing corridor it once was.

While the pedestrian promenade served its purpose as a temporary emergency measure during the pandemic, that era is long over. Today, nine blocks of our historic downtown look like a ghost town compared to what it once was. The extended closure has caused a noticeable loss in economic vitality, foot traƯic, and natural flow. Many longtime businesses are struggling, and storefronts sit empty. We need to bring life and accessibility back to our city's core.

Furthermore, closing State Street has broken a beloved Santa Barbara tradition: parades. The historic Fiesta parade and other community celebrations can no longer pass through the heart of our city in the traditional way, severing a crucial link in our local cultural heritage.

I respectfully ask the Council to reconsider current pedestrian-only policies and revert the street to a layout that accommodates cars and allows parades to wind their way once again through our downtown.

Thank you for your time, your public service, and your continued dedication to the economic and cultural health of Santa Barbara.

Dear City Council, I'm a local Santa Barbara resident; I work and live near upper State Street. My bicycle is my primary mode of transportation. I strongly urge the council to vote in favor of reauthorizing Title 31. Cars are dangerous, the State Street corridor is lively without them, and Santa Barbara can be a leading pedestrian friendly city.

Cars are dangerous. Automobiles have the highest accident and fatality rate per mile than any other form of transportation. There have been 0 auto related fatalities on the State Street corridor since it has been closed to cars. It would be shameful to introduce this level of risk back into our community.

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State Street is amazing without cars. Everyone loves it. I love it. Everyone that comes to visit loves it.

It's magical to walk from the Waterfront to The Arlington without having to worry about being run over and or contend with the noise and exhaust of automobiles. I stroll State Street in my free time. There are too many stores that have taken too much of my money because I happened to be walking by on a sunny day.

Santa Barbara can be a leader. Walkable cities are the future and SB has the opportunity to set an example by keeping State Street a pedestrian zone. People want to live and work in pedestrian-centric areas. Downtown housing and offices are increasing already. A car-free State Street is the foundation for a lasting and vibrant community.

Commuting down state street is my favorite part of the workweek. I moved here in 2021 and I still feel so lucky everytime. I will be very disappointed if this is taken away.

… 1 more paragraph

Thank you, Ben

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keep state street car free!

• More usable space for businesses. Restaurants and shops can spread into the street with outdoor seating and displays, which tends to boost foot traffic and sales for hospitality-type businesses.

• Better experience for visitors and locals. Santa Barbara's economy depends heavily on tourism, and a walkable promenade plays well with that — people linger, browse, and spend more when they're not dodging traffic.

• Safety. Fewer car-pedestrian conflict points, especially with the area's bar and restaurant density at night.

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• 48 Identity and placemaking. Comparable to pedestrian districts in other beach/resort towns — it gives the city a distinct "destination" feel rather than just a drive-through corridor.

— [NAME] [EMAIL] khrossi.[EMAIL]/khrossi/

Dear Council Members, Please consider renewing Article 31. State Street's vibrant and newly found soul would be irreparably damaged if vehicle access were allowed to return, even if temporary. Please help move Santa Barbara's community and economy towards a healthy, sustainable and greener future, one less reliant on cars.

Thank you for considering.

… 1 more paragraph

Sincerely, [NAME]

[ Hello, I'm in support of keeping State St. car free!

It makes Santa Barbara's downtown unique to other Southern California cities, because this type of road closure isn't widely offered!

It encourages people to walk around, because it is safe. And brings a certain synergy, especially during our busier months.

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Please consider my public comment when making a decision for the future of state street!

The notion of allowing cars back on State Street is foolish and would cost taxpayers an estimated $700,000.

The 2020 ordinance has worked well to establish a true European atmosphere to downtown Santa Barbara. After all, we ARE known around the world as the American Riviera.

In the past 5 years countless tourists have enjoyed the relaxed feeling of strolling & cycling State Street. The word has doubtless spread throughout the world and certainly to our neighbors in CA, bringing in vitality and revenue to the City.

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So why break what works, and have the nerve to charge taxpayers for the reversal?

There are plenty of well situated parking garages up and down State and also Anacapa for easy access to those who insist on driving.

There is no excuse for this asinine proposal to allow cars on State.

[ As a Santa Barbara local it's been difficult to watch the many changes to our beautiful, historic city.

State Street is iconic. For residents and visitors alike the ability to peruse the shops and dining was a benefit. Now it's closed to all but youth on motorized bikes. Pedestrians don't have a right of way. It's dangerous. No one is going to walk those 13 blocks. Just let cars back in.

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Our historic parades and traditions need the street width and sidewalk space of State Street. Santa Barbara street can't accommodate crowds and therefore locals and visitors don't attend.

COVID is over. Please bring back our main thoroughfare.

[NAME] from my iPhone

Hello! I am writing yet again to express my support for a car-free State Street. In fact, I'm not quite sure why we are still having this conversation. Please, I am begging the City Council to just build the dang thing already. Give us a beautiful, inviting space for our community to thrive in the heart of our city.

I live four blocks from State and am on the street just about every day. It is a far more pleasant, lively place now that it ever was when cars were allowed to drive on it. There are people -- walking, riding bikes, hanging out in parklets, enjoying each other and the outdoors.

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Please continue the Promenade and expedite the planning/execution of the master plan for a car-free, people-friendly downtown.

With many thanks, jen.

[NAME] santa barbara, ca

… 1 more paragraph

Please keep State Street car free!

For the environment, for the businesses and for the patrons.

This makes Santa Barbara unique. It encourages walking and biking.

Thank you, [NAME]

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please!

Dear City Council— As I was biking under the 101 on State last night one of the cruiser muscle cars gunned their engine deafeningly in the echoing space.

As I crossed Carrillo, a different car violently gunned what sounded like a muffler-less engine, and peeled out around the corner, tires shrieking.

The contrast with car-free State Street really made me appreciate the quiet, absence of exhaust, and relief from the mortal danger of being run over by a several thousand pound speeding car.

Kids on e bikes are a nuisance and can be startling, but cars present actual mortal danger, killing cyclists and pedestrians in our town each year. Air pollution takes years off of all our lives, as does lack of exercise.

State Street is a refuge for kids, cyclists, pedestrians, and people with mobility challenges, to see, be seen, shop, and get around free from worry of being killed—quickly or slowly—by cars and their emissions.

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Yes to e bike speed enforcement, no to deadly cars.

I look forward to the taming of speeding bikes, so State is once again a place where the tiniest of local residents can learn to ride a bike, as was the case in the earlier configurations.

Meanwhile, I urge you to support Option A and direct staff to maintain the current promenade configuration.

Thank you— [NAME] Parent of two local cyclists, soon to be grandparent of another

Walkable public spaces increase everybody's quality of life. Foot traffic in popular public spaces gives us a sense of community, keeps our air cleaner, encourages movement and healthier living, and saves money.

Do not listen to those who say it is killing business. They are misidentifying a cost of living/rent crisis with a lack of cars. Businesses are struggling because costs are high, and indirectly because people have less disposable income (because costs are high).

Driving on a 5 block long stretch of ONE STREET will not fix this problem--that is preposterous.

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Please keep State St. car-free!

Best Regards, [NAME] UCSB Class of 23 and East Side resident.

Hi, I would like to submit my comment in favour of keeping state street car free. I am a pulmonologist practicing and living in Santa Barbara and I believe that keeping state street car free will have a direct positive income on the health of our population. Low traffic zones have a proven reduction to air pollution both in zone and in surrounding neighbourhoods, and reduction in air pollution is critical in maintaining healthy lungs. I am referencing this model in London to support this claim. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42342017 Large scale models of urban cities also show that car free and congestion free zones help increase activity among the populace, that can contribute to health gains of anywhere from 420 to 826 disability adjusted life years per 100,000 people. Active commuting is shown to reduce the relative risk of a cardiac event by 11% in this same population. I am referencing these 2 articles from the AHA/Circulation, and Lancet to support these claims: ahajournals.org https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27671670 Finally, seeing state street just full of pedestrians is wonderful as a community member and someone who cares about the social wellbeing of people in this city. Please take this comment into consideration when casting your vote tomorrow.

[NAME] MD 108 Northridge Rd Santa Barbara, CA 93105

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear City Council Members, I hear there is a vote coming up to determine whether or not State street should remain car-free or not. It absolutely should.

There's a reason downtown walking areas are common in Europe and other places. In fact, there are several. They support local retail businesses which rely on foot traffic, citizen health through decreased air pollution and increased movement, and social cohesion by removing the physical and mental barriers that exist between passengers and pedestrians.

But all that aside, it's just nice to be able to walk around the downtown business district without the noise, smell and danger of cars. In fact, if I had my druthers, bikes would be disallowed as well, so that pedestrians could mill around in the middle of the street at will, car-free and carefree.

But you know, baby steps. For now, let's at least keep out the cars.

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Thanks for your consideration, [NAME]

Plan I strongly oppose the interim reopening of State Street to cars. This proposal appears expensive and unnecessary given the existing pedestrian-oriented infrastructure and ongoing planning process. I work and State Street and walk it every day. It's more vibrant and thriving than ever with locals and tourist admiring the pedestrian and bicycle oriented environment free from noise and car pollution. I grew up here and no one ever drove up and down State Street to shop or frequent any local businesses; we drove to the City's plentiful parking lots to walk.

Reallocating funds toward a short-term, reversible change risks wasting resources that could be better invested in a thoughtful, long-term solution that supports downtown vitality. I urge the Council to avoid premature action and focus on approval and implementation of the State Street Master Plan. Stop wasting our city's limited resources on redundant and unnecessary extensions. Invest in the future not moving backwards.

Cars will do nothing to support local businesses, they'll merely add noise, air pollution and safety hazards back to State Street.

[NAME]

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[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Oh, for the love of God, could we put this nonsense to rest? [NAME] closed!

Want to drive? Plenty of street available to you.

Too lazy to get out of your car? Not a reason for others to be stuck breathing your nasty exhaust fumes.

Think it's "bad for business"? Think of solutions. Businesses were closing long before State St did.

Categorically allergic to change? Too bad. Grow up.

Having grown up here, I can assure anyone that having a clean, fresh-air State St is long overdue.

Thank you.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] Santa Barbara

… 5 more paragraphs

Hello: I am a longtime Santa Barbara resident and a very frequent user of State Street. I live 7 blocks off of State Street and am on State 3 to 5 times per week.

Conversations to fix State Street having been going on long before it was closed to cars.

Hopefully you have seen this article from 2009 when The Independent was reporting about a broken State Street.

The linked image cannot be displayed.

The file may have been [NAME], renamed, or deleted.

Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.

The Retail [EMAIL] For the record, I love State Street being closed to cars. Bringing back to a car traffic would increase noise and pollution not to mention kill the laid-back energy. Can you imagine all the ride shares and delivery people pulling over with their blinkers on 'just for a minute'.

The horn traffic alone will be horrible.

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I am a tour guide and my guests love it. I find State Street to be vibrant and usable and an extended part of my neighborhood.

Thank you, [NAME]

Santa Barbara has decided, debated, and reaffirmed again and again that State Street is better without cars. I love going downtown and being able to safely walk or bike, dine outdoors, and hang out with friends without breathing exhaust fumes, listening to engine noise, or worrying about being run over by a careless driver. We are slowly but surely making progress toward a revitalized downtown area surrounding a State Street that is human-centered instead of car-centered. Bringing cars back to State Street would reverse all that progress, inhibit future growth, and cost the city tons of money. Please listen to Santa Barbara, renew Title 31, and keep State Street free of cars.

-Kara

City Council: I urge you to reauthorize the ordinance keeping cars off the portion of State Street in its current configuration. Who needs the dangers of cars vs. pedestrians/bikes, the noise of car and truck engines and the air pollution? State Street is much more inviting for residents, not to mention visitors, as is.

Thanks for considering my views.

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Sincerely, [NAME] 4th Council Dist.

Dear City Council Members, I walk downtown almost every day, and for the last five years I've enjoyed doing so on a car-free State Street. Strolling, shopping, eating and drinking, people-watching, catching up with friends, biking — everything you can do on State Street is better without the noise, pollution, commotion, and dangers generated by cars. Opening State Street to car traffic won't address the root causes of retail vacancies, but creating a pedestrian-centered promenade rich in third spaces will help support a vibrant downtown. I urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and keep lower State Street car-free.

[NAME]

Dear Santa Barbara: I'm a regular walker, shopper, and fan of downtown State Street. I was especially pleased during the period when electric bikes were discouraged from speeding up the middle. But in any case, the air is so much fresher and cooler and the trees and plants are so much healthier without the cars. Drivers have the run of the entire city except for these few blocks -- please allow pedestrians to continue to enjoy them.

Thank you, [NAME] 2801 [NAME] Santa Barbara 805-455-4974

[ Please vote YES to keep State Street car-free.

Walking along State Street without the noise, exhaust, and hazards of cars is truly pleasant and makes us want to visit the restaurants, theaters, and bars more frequently. The plan to have retractable bollards to allow emergency vehicles and parades is a good one. Those are the only vehicles that are really necessary on the State Street Paseo.

Thank you for giving us a true gathering space for humans.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME]

[ Keep Downtown State Street for people!! I enjoy walking downtown, it's healthier to smell the flowers than to smell gasoline fumes!!

[NAME] from my iPhone

Please keep State Street car free. I have visited State Street since I was an infant and I love the comfortable and safe atmosphere that is State St. without cars. I can go without the pollution, smell, noise, and risk while we stroll, bike, shop, and dine. I support a pedestrian and cyclist-centric future.

Sincerely, [NAME] homeowner and mother of two

Dear Mayor, Clerk, and SB Council Members, I urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and maintain the current configuration of State Street while the Draft State Street Master Plan moves through the adoption process later this summer.

The City's own staff report makes clear that reauthorizing Title 31 comes at no additional cost. By contrast, allowing it to expire would require an estimated $700,000 simply to remove the current configuration and restore vehicle lanes—an unnecessary expense for a temporary change.

Reopening State Street to cars would also create additional complications. The Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State and Carrillo may need to be removed, even though the grant requires it to remain in place for two years. That could mean relocating and repainting the artwork or repaying grant funds.

In addition, the [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining pilot on the 500 block both depend on State Street remaining car-free. Allowing Title 31 to lapse would jeopardize these active pilot programs before they have been fully evaluated.

State Street also serves as the backbone of Santa Barbara's bicycle network. Reintroducing vehicle traffic would make it a higher-stress corridor that families, older adults, and newer cyclists are far less likely to use, reducing accessibility and transportation options.

… 4 more paragraphs

Finally, businesses along the corridor have reported increased revenue since State Street became car- free. Reversing course now risks undermining that progress at a time when downtown continues its economic recovery.

This is a practical, low-cost, no-regrets decision. Reauthorizing Title 31 simply preserves the current conditions while the Master Plan—whose overall concept the Council has already supported—continues through the public process toward adoption.

Thank you for your consideration and for supporting a thoughtful, fiscally responsible path forward.

Sincerely, [NAME]

… 2 more paragraphs

To the Santa Barbara City Council, My name is [NAME] a resident of the City of Santa Barbara for over 20 years. I am emailing today in support of reauthorizing Title 31 to keep State Street car-free.

This is a low-cost, no-regrets decision: Title 31 only needs reauthorizing in the interim, while the full Master Plan (which Council already voted to support the concept of on April 28) continues toward adoption later this summer.

Besides the overarching reasons to keep State Street car-free (to continue the increased amenities like sidewalk dining, higher foot traffic, safety of cyclists), there would be an immediate financial cost that the City cannot afford right now.

Allowing cars back on State Street would, according to City staff, cost an estimated $700,000 to pull out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes. The City also might have remove the art at State & Carrillo and repaint elsewhere or return the grant funds. This could mean a combined cost of possibly $800,000 to the City at a time of major budget concerns.

And if the City reauthorizes Title 31, there are no additional costs, as well as this smartly being in line with the considerations of the Master Plan.

[NAME] 31 to keep State Street car-free.

… 2 more paragraphs

Thank you, [NAME] cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.

- Andre Gide

Dear City Decision Makers, My family and I enjoy biking along state street regularly and keeping it car free seems like the best decision to keep state street feeling friendly and open.

Other points that have come to my attention as reason to keep State street open:  The City's staff report is clear: reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

 If cars come back, the City may have to remove the Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State & Carrillo. The grant requires the art to stay in place for two years, so that likely means repainting it elsewhere or repaying the grant money.

… 4 more paragraphs

 [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs right now, and both depend on State Street staying car- free to keep running.

 State Street is the spine of the City's bike network. Reopening it to cars makes it a higher-stress ride that families, older adults, and new cyclists are a lot less likely to use.

Our family would be greatly disappointed if state street were to get cars again, please make the decision to keep state street car free.

Thank you, [NAME] from my iPhone

… 2 more paragraphs

Dear Mayor, City Council, and those who call Santa Barbara their home, Please do not re-open State Street to cars. This is an important ongoing experiment. A pedestrian mall, a cultural paseo, revitalizes our downtown. Incubating organic development gives this City an opportunity to develop a unique downtown character and become a destination for locals and visitors alike.

Already, the area is becoming somewhere people want to linger; dine and shop as evidenced by the higher revenue reported by local businesses since the street went car-free. Currently, the [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs. Their continuing success depends on State Street staying car-free.

A car-free corridor is key to the City's bike network which, with the creation of separated pedestrian and bike lanes would make the downtown a healthier and, a more viable public space. The reduction in accidents has made the area demonstrably safer.

There is no downside to reauthorizing Title 31. It benefits everyone and costs nothing. In contrast, according to the City's staff report, leƫng it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

The budget to re-open State Street to cars only further accelerates depletion of Santa Barbara's coffers. And, to what end? A familiar urban ghost town that is unable to compete with Goleta's shopping malls?

… 2 more paragraphs

Please thoughƞully exercise your decision making power for the good of this community. It's a wonderful life, if you have the vision to see its future.

Sincerely, [NAME] from my iPhone

Santa Barbara City Council,  The City's staff report is clear: reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

 If cars come back, the City may have to remove the Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State & Carrillo. The grant requires the art to stay in place for two years, so that likely means repainting it elsewhere or repaying the grant money.

… 5 more paragraphs

 [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs right now, and both depend on State Street staying car- free to keep running.

 State Street is the spine of the City's bike network. Reopening it to cars makes it a higher-stress ride that families, older adults, and new cyclists are a lot less likely to use.

 Businesses along the corridor have already reported higher revenue since the street went car-free. Reverting now risks undoing that momentum right when downtown is trying to bounce back.

This is a low-cost, no-regrets decision: Title 31 only needs reauthorizing in the interim, while the full Master Plan (which Council already voted to support the concept of on April 28) continues toward adoption later this summer.

Thank you, [NAME]

Regarding agenda item 26, I'm voicing my support to keep State Street car free. I've been a Santa Barbara resident for almost four years, in addition to the four I spent prior in Goleta as a student at UCSB. A car free State Street is safer, healthier, and in this agenda item's decision, cheaper for taxpayers.

The City's staff report is clear: reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

Thank you, [NAME]

 The City's staff report is clear: reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

 If cars come back, the City may have to remove the Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State & Carrillo. The grant requires the art to stay in place for two years, so that likely means repainting it elsewhere or repaying the grant money.

… 3 more paragraphs

 [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs right now, and both depend on State Street staying car- free to keep running.

 State Street is the spine of the City's bike network. Reopening it to cars makes it a higher-stress ride that families, older adults, and new cyclists are a lot less likely to use.

 Businesses along the corridor have already reported higher revenue since the street went car-free. Reverting now risks undoing that momentum right when downtown is trying to bounce back.

To the Santa Barbara City Council: As a resident of downtown SB, I strongly urge you to reauthorize Title 31 to maintain State Street in its current configuration until the State Street Master Plan is implemented. There are so many reasons to love and support a car-free State Street, not to mention the unnecessary costs of removing the current setup and restoring vehicle lanes. Reauthorizing Title 31 is a low-cost, simple choice that makes sense while the City works toward the long-term vision of the Master Plan.

Thank you!

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] 6

State Street is perfect without cars. It's safe for me to ride my bike as I explore town or go get groceries and its safe for me to take my nieces to because they can focus on being kids and not on whether they'll survive the walk or ride. Plus, its free to reauthorize Title 31 while not doing so is going to cost us around $700,000 as well as put grants (Bloomberg) and pilot transit programs (Loop) at jeopardy because they both rely on a car-free State. Finally, businesses on State report more revenue without cars so not reauthorizing Title 31 will reduce sales tax revenues while incurring additional expenses. Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

Hello, Please do not reopen State Street to cars! As a local business owner for 45 years of a retail store on State Street, I can tell you that we need the street to remain a promenade. Reopening will reduce our much- needed foot traffic, and since we have been in business with and without cars, we can assure you that foot traffic has increased significantly since the street became a promenade. We will not survive with less foot traffic.

Here is the part that makes this an easy call: keeping State Street car-free costs the City nothing. Reversing it will cost taxpayers an estimated $700,000.

Sincerely, Adele Spalluto Italian Pottery Outlet 929 State Street.

Hello I continue to support car-free State Street, and everybody I know does as well. Letting the regulation expire and making the changes to possible allow cars at this point, specially if it the changes will be reversed later.

Thanks very much [NAME] 1809 Cliff Drive, #1 Santa Barbara

[ Hello, I've lived in Santa Barbara for almost 10 years. I've had the specific misfortune of turning onto State Street when it was open to cars and the distinct pleasure of walking down a car-free State Street.

We should be moving toward an accessible future for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing and is a step in the right direction.

I, and the majority of Santa Barbarans, look forward to the State Street Master Plan with no cars on State.

… 1 more paragraph

Sincerely, [NAME]

Please extend Title 31 and keep State Street closed to vehicles. The loss of outdoor seating would devastate businesses.

[NAME]

Hello, I would like to submit comment asking the city council to reauthorize Title 31 to keep State Street closed to cars. The city is already working towards finalizing going forward with the Master Plan that plans to keep State Street closed to cars and open only to pedestrians and cyclists. It makes no sense to reopen the street to cars when that is not part of the current long term plan. And would also be a waste of money to reopen a street to cars that will just be closed to cars again. Keeping State Street as is until the Master Plan goes into effect will continue to allow us to walk and bike to get around downtown safely and better explore and visit the local businesses downtown. It is currently the street I feel safest for biking in town because it is closed to cars. And I would like to continue to be able to do so and continue using the Bcycles around town. It is easier to see more of what businesses are on State Street when walking or biking because it's at a slower pace and easier to just stop and walk into the businesses.

Please keep State Street closed to cars.

… 1 more paragraph

Thank you, [NAME] Some people who received this message don't often get email from [EMAIL]. Learn why this is important

Hi, I am a resident who has lived downtown for decades and I am a firm supporter of keeping State Street Car-Free. It is a much more pleasant experience being able to walk and bike without sharing the space with cars, the street is more vibrant with summer music and dancing events in the street, and dining without breathing exhaust fumes or hearing loud cars is a huge improvement. I have enjoyed and benefited from all of the Closed State Street enhancements and use the BCycles multiple times a week to patronize businesses along the corridor.

I understand that if the street were reopened right now it would be "temporary" until the Master Plan could be implemented permanently and deliberately. However -- especially given the Council budget woes that have recently come to light -- I think it's unconscionable to consider spending ~$700,000 to temporarily undo the measures already implemented when it would be free to keep things as-is until it's time to implement the Master Plan.

Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

… 1 more paragraph

Thank you, [NAME]

City Council: Regarding Item 26, please extend State Street's car-free status until the master plan is complete.

It makes no sense to change it now, when we're so close to finalizing the master plan. It would be a huge wasted expense, disrupt the main artery I use to bike around town several times a week, and probably increase accidents and injuries back to the levels from before it was closed off.

I've read much of the Master Plan for State, and I think it describes a beautiful and practical plan to achieve vitality. The retractable bollards make it flexible if the city changes its mind in the future. And the varying ground textures will go a long way to reducing bicycle speeds through simple, effective psychology as Europeans know well from their long experience.

Please don't screw it up just before we have the plan in place. Just keep the status quo by extending State Street's car-free status for now.

Thank you.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] 3411 Calle Noguera Santa Barbara, 93105 805-215-0741

Hello Mayor and City Council Members, I am submitting these comments to express my strong SUPPORT for a car-free State Street. I submitted comments to this point recently during the State Street Master Plan update. State Street has become a vibrant and welcoming place since the street was closed to vehicular traffic in 2020. I shop every week at the Tuesday Market and am energized by the number of people who are out and about downtown on a Tuesday evening.

Over the years there have been fun pop-up events, dancing in the street, music, etc. I am more motivated to go to State Street since it is no longer just a through-way for cars.

Please do do not do the absurd and spend the estimated $700,000 it would cost to get cars back on State Street. This would be an incredible waste considering the investments that have been made to make the street walkable and bikeable as well as directly at odds with the information that was shared with the community by the State Street Master Plan team only a few months ago.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] Spring Street, Santa Barbara 93103

I strongly support keeping State Street car free, as it is now. The current plan is working well and I read that merchants support it. I also read that some folks, on NextDoor, comment that they don't feel safe with e-bikes going fast and prefer cars.To me, this doesn't make sense. The "good old days" are not going to return. eBikes won't go away, but will still go down State Street, but with cars to avoid at the same time, the danger of collisions will only increase. The solution to eBike danger is education and enforcement and I really doubt that adding cars to the mix on State Street will make things better.

Please continue with the master plans that are now receiving wide support. There will always be "naysayers".

Best, [NAME], Ph.D.

… 1 more paragraph

University of California, Santa Barbara Dept. of Earth Sciences (Emeritus) Santa Barbara, CA. 93105 http://earthlearningsolutions.org/

… 3 more paragraphs

Hi there, I am providing my public comment for Item 26 for Tuesday's 6/30 council meeting.

I strongly urge city council to re-authorize title 31 and keep State Street car-free.

I am a downtown resident and have lived downtown for many years. State Street is more pleasant, vibrant, and profitable without cars.

Frankly, it's silly that city council has had to have so many votes to consistently keep a State street that prioritizes both residents and tourists, State Street business owners, and a thriving downtown corridor.

1. Reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 - and this is when city council has admitted a budget problem. There is no justification for this waste.

2. Businesses along the corridor have already reported higher revenue since the street went car- free.

3. Having cars on State risks never implementing the true Master Plan and adds an additional hurdle (re-closing to cars) to actually make the master plan a reality. Don't put up unnecessary roadblocks.

4. There is no compelling reason that cars need to be on State Street. The best argument that folks make is that they want to "cruise" down State again. This is inane. Cars do not traffic business, buy goods, or eat at restaurants. People do these things and they do so in much greater numbers when they are on bike or foot.

… 3 more paragraphs

Please make the sane and positive choice to keep cars off State Street.

PS - this message was sent to several emails to ensure it reaches the right recipients.

Thank you, [NAME] 15+ year downtown Santa Barbara resident

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear City Council - Please vote in favor of keeping State Street open. You are just completing all the work with developing the longterm plan for downtown. You have involved planners, consultants, architects, and members of the public in the development of this plan. Please don't waste all the time, input and money and deny its implementation.

People say that the businesses on State Street need to have cars on State Street in order to survive. That's ridiculous.

Hardly anyone is going to see a store from their car, find a place to park in order to go that store. A person WALKING down State Street would have a much greater likelihood of doing so. The combination of the economy, people not shopping as much in physical stores, and the configuration of long narrow store on State Street is impacting sales in stores more than state street being closed.

The desire to close State Street is short sighted, makes all the time, thought and money put into this process worthless.

Please vote to keep State Street open.

… 1 more paragraph

[NAME] [EMAIL] (805) 451-1522 Sent from my iPhone

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] To whom it may concern, I am vehemently opposed to cars ever returning to State Street. Having a car free cycling and walking thoroughfare in the center of town has been life changing, making my daily commute safer, our city more lively, and our downtown more beautiful. Not only do I hope that state street continues to be car free, I hope that the city goes forward with a master plan which strives to make this car free street a more permanent feature of our city. Furthermore, I encourage you to investigate other streets in our town which could be shut down to car traffic, careless streets are the way to go!

Thank you and best, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I support the Strong Towns" viewpoint on whether cars should be allowed on State St. I think it's reasonable to guess that the indecision in an actual plan has caused a negative effect on investments made in the no cars downtown. Please act on this now and don't let it drag on further.

Best, [NAME], PhD Prof Emeritus, Dept of Earth Science University of California, Santa Barbara

Dear Mr. Holland, Could you please share the letter below with the Mayor and City Council?

Sincerely, [NAME] Dear neighbors and Santa Barbara leaders, I understand that you are considering whether or not to open State Street to vehicular traffic and have solicited public input. I am writing to ask that you not re-open State Street in this way at least until the still-in-process State Street Master Plan has been completed.

I am a regular bicycle (manual, not e-) rider up and down State Street and very much appreciate the current status quo. I hope that it will be allowed to continue!

Sincerely yours, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear City Council Members, As a resident of downtown, I am begging you to please extend Title 31 to keep State Street Car-free in the interim as we determine the details of the Master Plan. Despite what some groups have been saying without sufficient data to support their claims, State Street is doing well, especially during the difficult era of online shopping. Rent vacancies are down, foot and bicyclist traffic is up, and tourists and locals alike have absolutely glowing reviews of the street in its current condition. Additionally, wasting $700,000 to convert the street back into a car thoroughfare just to spend additional costs to complete the master plan is pointless, especially considering the hidden costs to public safety, health, and wellbeing that come with bringing back cars. Please keep State Street Car-free and preserve this gem of a downtown!

Thank you, [NAME]

… 1 more paragraph

Mayor and Council, State Street was closed to automobile traffic in response to a public health emergency COVID.

The emergency has long since abated but State Street remains closed. This was done without any environmental analysis or consideration of the short and long term effects on the city. The city did not comply with the requirements of CEQA when it permanently altered city's the street and transportation patterns following the end of the COVID emergency.

The pending Master Plan is designed to consider these issues as it proceeds through the city processes.

Reopen State Street to automobile traffic until a though plan, and a full analysis of it, can be completed.

… 3 more paragraphs

Randy Confidentiality Notice: This message is meant only for the use of the intended recipient, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please do not forward this email. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately at [EMAIL] and please delete this message from your system. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

[NAME] Esq.

Reetz, Fox & Bartlett LLP [NAME] Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805.965.0523 / 805.564.8675 [EMAIL] www.reetzfox.com

… 1 more paragraph

[ Hello, I've lived in Santa Barbara for almost 10 years. I've had the specific misfortune of turning onto State Street when it was open to cars and the distinct pleasure of walking down a car-free State Street.

We should be moving toward an accessible future for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing and is a step in the right direction.

I, and the majority of Santa Barbarans, look forward to the State Street Master Plan with no cars on State.

Sincerely, [NAME]

Dear Santa Barbara City Council, I am writing to express my personal opinion as a local business owner who has operated a walking tour company in downtown Santa Barbara for the past 10 years.

Our company conducts daily public walking tours as well as private and corporate tours, and State Street serves as the centerpiece for many of our experiences. During the years since State Street was closed to vehicle traffic, I have not had a single guest tell me they wished it were reopened to cars. In fact, I regularly hear the opposite. Visitors frequently comment on how unique and special Santa Barbara feels because of the pedestrian promenade. They describe it as "European," welcoming, vibrant, and unlike many other destinations they have visited. It has become one of the defining features of downtown and a memorable part of their experience.

From my perspective, reopening State Street to vehicles offers very little benefit. There was never meaningful parking on State Street itself, and motorists could not easily view or access destinations such as Paseo Nuevo or many of the businesses they were likely looking for simply by driving through. In contrast, the pedestrian promenade has created an inviting destination where visitors and locals can comfortably stroll, shop, dine, and experience the heart of our city. Its value to Santa Barbara's character and visitor experience cannot be overstated.

The one aspect that I believe deserves immediate attention is the center bike lane. In my experience, it presents a significant safety concern. Fast-moving electric bikes and other motorized devices often travel through the middle of a busy pedestrian environment, sometimes at speeds approaching 35 mph. I have personally witnessed numerous close calls involving both visitors and local residents. The current design places pedestrians and cyclists in unnecessary conflict, and it is especially concerning when very young riders are operating high-speed electric bikes in such a heavily traveled area.

I strongly encourage the City to explore safer alternatives for bicycle traffic while preserving the pedestrian nature of State Street.

Please keep State Street closed to cars. I believe the pedestrian promenade has become one of Santa Barbara's greatest assets and continues to enhance both our local quality of life and our visitor economy.

… 2 more paragraphs

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, 62 [NAME], Totally Cali Tours of Santa Barbara Totally Cali Tours of Santa Barbara (805)403-6500

[ Hello Mayor Rowse and City Council, Let's be frank: drivers have gotten worse, and I don't think that trend will stop any time soon. Allowing car traffic back on State Street reintroduces a lot of risk, and for what benefit? It's not easy to recognize businesses at a glance due to HLC's signage rules, unless drivers are driving drastically below the speed limit of 25mph. If drivers are going the speed limit but looking at businesses, they're distracted and not watching the road and their surroundings—which include cyclists, pedestrians, and pets.

I'm younger than most of the "reopen State Street" crowd, but I empathize with the people in our community who would like to see downtown go back to "the way it was." My hometown has also changed a lot in the past decade, in many ways that I don't love. But in addition to those changes, I'm constantly learning about new shops, restaurants, and community organizations that have opened since I moved away, and they give me a great sense of pride for my hometown.

It's not the end of the world when things change—it's inevitable. I feel lucky to live in a city where everyone cares so much about shaping these changes together. We have a chance to see the Master Plan through to completion, making State Street a world-class destination and a community hub for all ages.

Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep car traffic off of State Street.

… 1 more paragraph

Best, [NAME]

Dear City Council Members, I am writing regarding Item 26 on the June 30 agenda. I am a Santa Barbara resident and work at UCSB studying patterns of bicycle and pedestrian safety. I urge the Council to reauthorize Title 31 and maintain the State Street Promenade in its current configuration through the interim period.

Reopening State Street to vehicles before the Master Plan is implemented would require infrastructure modifications only to reverse them again -- a waste of public funds with no lasting benefit. It would also introduce unnecessary confusion to traffic patterns for drivers, cyclists, and visitors alike.

From a safety standpoint, mode separation on State Street meaningfully reduces conflict points between pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles. Reintroducing vehicles into a corridor that has functioned as a pedestrian and bicycle space would increase injury risk and undo the safety gains the Promenade has achieved.

Sincerely, [NAME]

Hi, I'm writing to voice my support for the city council to vote to reauthorize Title 31 as part of Item 26 on tomorrow's city council meeting agenda to continue the car-free status quo for State Street. Visiting State and the businesses along it is so much more pleasant now than when it was vehicle-oriented.

Outdoor dining, a wide-open space to walk downtown, and the lack of exhaust make a world of difference. Even when State was open to cars, I always went out of my way to avoid driving on it; parking was impossible, traffic was heavy, and the extensive pedestrian and cyclist use was stressful and required keeping a very careful watch regardless of whether I was driving or walking. Being able to leave my car at one of the nearby city parking lots and enjoy the core of downtown on foot has been a huge improvement. Moreover, the city is already working on and investing substantial funds into the future master plan, and failing to renew Title 31 and reopening State to vehicles in the interim would require a great deal of effort and expense to undo the improvements of the past several years. Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep State Street closed to vehicles.

- [NAME] 4424 Nueces Drive

Dear City Council, I'm a local Santa Barbara resident; I work and live near upper State Street. My bicycle is my primary mode of transportation. I strongly urge the council to vote in favor of reauthorizing Title 31. Cars are dangerous, the State Street corridor is lively without them, and Santa Barbara can be a leading pedestrian friendly city.

Cars are dangerous. Automobiles have the highest accident and fatality rate per mile than any other form of transportation. There have been 0 auto related fatalities on the State Street corridor since it has been closed to cars. It would be shameful to introduce this level of risk back into our community.

State Street is amazing without cars. Everyone loves it. I love it. Everyone that comes to visit loves it.

… 4 more paragraphs

It's magical to walk from the Waterfront to The Arlington without having to worry about being run over and or contend with the noise and exhaust of automobiles. I stroll State Street in my free time. There are too many stores that have taken too much of my money because I happened to be walking by on a sunny day.

Santa Barbara can be a leader. Walkable cities are the future and SB has the opportunity to set an example by keeping State Street a pedestrian zone. People want to live and work in pedestrian-centric areas. Downtown housing and offices are increasing already. A car-free State Street is the foundation for a lasting and vibrant community.

Commuting down state street is my favorite part of the workweek. I moved here in 2021 and I still feel so lucky everytime. I will be very disappointed if this is taken away.

Thank you, Ben

… 1 more paragraph

City Council: Regarding Item 26, please extend State Street's car-free status until the master plan is complete.

It makes no sense to change it now, when we're so close to finalizing the master plan. It would be a huge wasted expense, disrupt the main artery I use to bike around town several times a week, and probably increase accidents and injuries back to the levels from before it was closed off.

I've read much of the Master Plan for State, and I think it describes a beautiful and practical plan to achieve vitality. The retractable bollards make it flexible if the city changes its mind in the future. And the varying ground textures will go a long way to reducing bicycle speeds through simple, effective psychology as Europeans know well from their long experience.

Please don't screw it up just before we have the plan in place. Just keep the status quo by extending State Street's car-free status for now.

… 2 more paragraphs

Thank you.

[NAME] 3411 Calle Noguera Santa Barbara, 93105 805-215-0741

Subject: Support Title 31: Maintain State Street as a Pedestrian Zone Dear City Council Members, I am writing to urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and maintain State Street as a car-free pedestrian zone.

A car-free State Street is a vital economic driver for Santa Barbara. By prioritizing pedestrians, we maximize foot traffic, eliminate vehicle noise and congestion, and create space for parklets, which increase business capacity and generate tax revenue for our city. Reopening the street to vehicles would not only eliminate this growing revenue stream but would also impose an unnecessary $700,000 upfront cost on the city.

Arguments to return to a vehicle-centric model often rely on outdated perceptions of retail from 30 to 50 years ago. These arguments fail to account for the modern reality of e-commerce and the shifting dining and shopping preferences of today's consumers. Furthermore, contrary to unsubstantiated anecdotal claims that State Street Promenade has increased vacancies, recent research indicates that commercial vacancies have actually decreased as a result of a car-free State Street.

… 2 more paragraphs

I urge you to protect our vibrant downtown and choose a safe, quiet, and prosperous pedestrian environment. Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

Sincerely, [NAME] Hitchcock Neighborhood

To whom it may concern: As a resident of Santa Barbara and a frequent shopper at State Street, I would like it to be known that I do not support allowing cars on state street again. As it stands currently, all cross traffic is still open to travel for vehicles and opening state to vehicles would not improve traffic conditions, either vehicular or pedestrians traffic to the businesses.

As it is currently, state street is a welcoming attraction to visitors and tourist to our beautiful town, it shows people the beauty our town has to offer by allowing everything to take in the beautiful architecture and community. The outdoor seating addition to many restaurants let people enjoy the comfort of our amazing climate while supporting our local businesses, it provides a 3rd place for teens looking for an escape in a safe environment after school and when not at home. It shows other communities that designing cities as walkable improves the health of both businesses and individuals alike.

… 2 more paragraphs

Keep state street car free, and let more people get the exercise they need while supporting our local commerce.

Best regards, [NAME]

… 1 more paragraph

[ Please do not let Title 31 expire. [NAME] car free.

Do the right thing, the democratic thing. Most SB residents want state free from cars, 80% of them, if that's not a consensus, I don't know what is. Most businesses on State and downtown also support keeping State for people and bikes.

This change has made downtown safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, which is part of the city's commitment to reduce traffic accidents. It also brings out people who were not on state before. State in 2019 was dead! Safety also comes with eyes on the streets and that is people walking and biking, not driving.

It costs nothing at this point to keep it car-free. A lot has been invested in a car-free State that would be tax-payer funds wasted, and on top of that it would cost hundreds of thousands to bring cars back.

… 3 more paragraphs

Don't jeopardize the new vitality of our downtown.

Make the democratic and logical choice!

Maripaula

[ I was at the city council meeting waiting for 4.5 hours to speak for one minute about how the #s have gone down in accidents with vehicles in that area since closing and how it's better and safer for the environment As a 7th generation local - please do not reopen it to vehicles It's also great for business to have foot traffic Sent from my iPhone

Please make State Street a beautiful community space without cars in perpetuity. The challenge is finding the money to do this and dealing with the biking community to reduce the conflict between bikers and pedestrians.

Please extend / re-authorize Title 31 to keep State Street car free!

The downtown area is so much more pleasant, safe, active and fun without cars! Pedestrians and cyclists are what you need for success on State - not cars.

Please keep the pedestrian zone.

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Thanks!

[NAME] Santa Barbara

Dear City Council members, The following is not my own letter, but was written by [NAME]. It is exactly what I want to express to you, so I am copying it verbatim to share.

Open up the darn street!!!!

OPEN STATE STREET: The most important and valuable actions an elected official can do is to admit that they were wrong.

Along with a growing coalition of Civic leaders, senior citizens, the handicapped, and just plain old fed up citizens, I urge the council to repeal "Title 31," the 2023 measure that codified the street closure.

The Santa Barbara City Council has continual pushed their hybrid-bicycle dominate plan for State Street for nearly six years now and aside from Mayor Rouse, no one on the Council seems willing to admit that the closure as conceived is a total failure, one that has ripped the very heart of the City by rerouting our favorite parades, creating chaos for businesses and giving priority to large groups of out of control e-bikers who by their very behaviors endanger and terrorize the rest of us.

With vison of being the next generation of "framers and designers of Santa Barbara's future," You promise us this fantasyland of a supposedly revived State Street with happy residents, tourists and bicyclists all blithely cruising our main avenue.

Please, I urge you all to open your eyes and look at the reality you have created. Instead of a beautiful paradise, you have given us this insanity below.

Note that the 153-page State Street Master Plan, which the City Council adopted in principle in April is essentially a classic case of "GARABGE IN, GARBAGE OUT."

… 3 more paragraphs

Every aspect of it is geared toward the Bicycle Coalitions nonsensical "requirement," that the so called Pedestrian Mall concept must include bicycles on State street.

Nowhere else in the world is this done.

Pedestrians and bicycles are NOT compatible in this same space.

It is a danger.

Open you eyes, day or night, weekday or weekend, no one is using the street to walk as it is too dangerous.

And the bikes on State street are not commuters or shoppers or tourists, all of who could more easily and more safely use Chapala or Anacapa.

They are predominately out of control 12 year olds using our principle street as their "Popping a Wheelie Playground."

Enough is enough.

… 2 more paragraphs

Open State Street.

64 Stop the insanity and put away the fantasy.

You have not improved our City, you are effectively destroying it's most valuable part.

And now you want grants or bond issues for $60 - $120 Million to further this process of giving over the Heart of Santa Barbara to E-Bikes?

And lose the Solstice Parade, the Fiesta Parade and more of our necessary business?

Open State Street tomorrow and economic recovery will follow.

To continue this idiocy in the face of reality will not bring forth your beautiful fantasy, it will destroy the vitality and safety of the city we all love.

Dear City Council, I am requesting that you open up State St to its pre Covid configuration. State St has become a hazardous environment for those of us that are seniors. The street is a haven to young E-bikers and not shoppers. No one walks in the street. Everyone has naturally moved back to the sidewalks with a cautious eye looking out for e-bikes.

All you have to do is look locally at the success of the funk zone, Montecito, and locations like Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, [NAME] and Balboa Island to see what success looks like. People love to drive by shops to see what is available. A closed off street provides no benefits to anyone other that a few restaurants at the beginning of the closure. [NAME] is a very dark place now. Please open it up and give it a chance to succeed. A successful State St will only grow the coffers so badly needed. There is no money to achieve the proposed closed promenade. Thank you for your consideration.

Regards, Melinda & Mark Miller 113 Santa Rosa Pl, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

[ Hello sb city council, I am in favor of keeping State St closed to car traffic.

I was just on State St yesterday while I charged my electric vehicle in Lot 11 for a couple hours and walked a foster dog I got from the county shelter for the day. We dined on sandwiches from SB Pizzahouse for The Independent Sandwich Week and enjoyed the company of many families enjoying lunch and watching sports on the wide patio which spanned the whole sidewalk.

We also watched a young bride and groom snap pics with their photographer with State St as their backdrop.

This is a regular scenario every time I visit State St. Storefronts are open and packed with people of all ages and abilities.

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The pace is slow and leisurely which I know shop owners love!

Please vote to keep State St closed to cars!

[NAME] 709 Bond Ave, 93103

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Hello City Council Members, Tomorrow, June 30, 2026, on Item 26, I am asking you to vote in favor of Title 31 to keep State Street car free. Why?

1. Because my wife and I, in our seventies, enjoy bike riding and eating lunch in restaurants on the parts of State Street that are car free. There may be a few wild e- bike kids, but since there are no cars, there are no drunk drivers, no inattentive mobile phone drivers, and no drivers who open their car doors the second before we pass by. State Street without cars is a much safer street for us to ride our bikes upon.

2. Because my wife and I are long time pass holders for the 10 day Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Having no cars on State Street allows us film goers to line up ON State Street in front of the McHurley Film Center. In previous festivals, several entrances to restaurants and retail establishments, particularly those next to theaters, had sidewalk tape marking zones to prevent film goers from blocking doors. We now line up ON State Street in lanes marked by temporary metal fences.

Access to businesses during the film festival is unimpeded.

3. Because as spectators, we like watching the Solstice Parade on Santa Barbara Street.

We like watching the Old Spanish Days parade on Cabrillo Blvd. In the past, parts of State Street were so narrow that spectators watching parades were bunched together 4-5 people deep in some places. Not fun. Not safe. Too constricting. I won't get into what an out of control horse could do on State Street during a parade.

My wife and I have lived in Santa Barbara for 48 years. Allowing car, bus, and motorcycle traffic on State Street does not improve the ambiance or increase the safety in my opinion.

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Please be on the right side of history. On Item 26, please vote in favor of Title 31 to keep State Street car free.

[NAME]

Keep State Street Closed My wife and I ride our bikes there every weekend. There is always a ton of people shopping and eating at the restaurants. We have also driven there, parked, and walked the area. For anyone to say that it's too far to walk from a corner or another street is ridiculous. Walking or riding the downtown area adds to the atmosphere and creates a safe place of all to enjoy.

I do believe that downtown should be opened up for parades.

There are also street vendors that would be forced to sell on a crowded sidewalk if downtown were to open back up which would create chaos.

And the thought of the amount of e-bikes on a sidewalk that travel downtown is unimaginable.

I am all for keeping State St closed to traffic !

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* * * * * * * * * * * [NAME] * * * * * * * * * * *

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Hello. I've only lived in Santa Barbara for 4ish years, so I've therefore only experienced State St as the walkable "Main Street" that it is today. I stroll down there most days, often to the Film Center or my favorite coffee shop. It's one of my favorite things about living here. Like many others, I'd be devastated if it were opened up to cars again. Removing the accessibility, charm, and community a walkable State St gives us would be a huge loss. Please keep State on its feet 躱 躲 躳 躴 躵 躶 躷 躻 躸 躼 躹 躺

Hi, This message is in support of Keeping State Street closed to cars.

I've lived in Santa Barbara for 20 years and I've lived in the DT area ( a few blocks from State) for the last 16 years. Closing State St. to cars opened it up for my wife, 2 young sons, and me. We go there more often and get more enjoyment out of it than we ever did before the closure.

I can let my kids ride their bikes and scooters there independently knowing they are safer in a car free area. We did not dine or shop much there before because the options and seating were limited and now love to just sit outside and watch SB life go by.

We, and everyone we know, go to State St to shop, eat, and hang out far more now than we did before the closure.PLEASE do not open it back up to cars!! The current situation is not without flaws but is still far more enjoyable and vibrant than it ever was before closure.

Thank you, - -- [NAME] Associate Researcher Climate Hazards Center UCSB Geography http://www.frankdavenport.com/

[ Re: Item 26 I'm an elderly woman living downtown and State Street is a lifeline for me. I sold my car and walk most everywhere I need to go. Having State St car-free allows me to do my errands, have lunch with friends, shop at local merchants, and use the shuttle to get down to the waterfront. It is an oasis, and it draws many residents and visitors because of the camaraderie and energy that exists there. It just needs some clean-up, improved landscaping, and a few more State St Ambassadors.

It would be very short-sighted to open the street to cars. Cruising in a car does not encourage shopping...Pedestrians do.

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Regards, [NAME]

I've been a resident since 1980 and believe what has happened to downtown is nothing short of a travesty.

Open State St to car traffic, get the wreckless, disrespectful, dangerous teen e-bikers in their own lane - the bike lane between the cars and the sidewalk, and bring people back to the businesses downtown.

This change has met with widespread disapproval of your constituents as evidenced by the fact so few people go downtown.

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State Street is no longer a highly desireable place which is truly sad and in need of am immediate change in course.

[NAME] Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

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[ As a Santa Barbara local it's been difficult to watch the many changes to our beautiful, historic city.

State Street is iconic. For residents and visitors alike the ability to peruse the shops and dining was a benefit. Now it's closed to all but youth on motorized bikes. Pedestrians don't have a right of way. It's dangerous. No one is going to walk those 13 blocks. Just let cars back in.

Our historic parades and traditions need the street width and sidewalk space of State Street. Santa Barbara street can't accommodate crowds and therefore locals and visitors don't attend.

COVID is over. Please bring back our main thoroughfare.

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[NAME] from my iPhone

Dear Council, My wife, my dog, and I are deeply concerned about the possibility of reopening State Street to cars: we've loved it so much since we moved here last year and can't imagine walking there on a weekend and have to constantly wait for cars when we want do go from a coffee shop to an ice cream place. Just consider that the sidewalks are already quite crowded on a weekend without the cars and imagine what it would look like when the cars are back. We moved here from Pasadena where the Colorado Blvd was always open to cars and we never enjoyed it there. Please keep it closed to cars.

Thank you, Akim

Hello - I support opening up State Streets to parades and autos/vehicles as it was before C- 19. Thanks, [NAME].

Hello, Please do not reopen State Street to cars! As a local business owner for 45 years of a retail store on State Street, I can tell you that we need the street to remain a promenade. Reopening will reduce our much- needed foot traffic, and since we have been in business with and without cars, we can assure you that foot traffic has increased significantly since the street became a promenade. We will not survive with less foot traffic.

Here is the part that makes this an easy call: keeping State Street car-free costs the City nothing. Reversing it will cost taxpayers an estimated $700,000.

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Sincerely, Adele Spalluto Italian Pottery Outlet 929 State Street.

Dear Mayor Rouse and Council Members, I am writing to you once again regarding the situation on State Street. My family has owned and operated a retail business in Santa Barbara for almost 45 years, and our success relies heavily on tourists walking State Street. Before COVID, we contacted the city to close State Street, but it wasn't until COVID that the shutdown finally happened. We have experienced the street both with and without cars every day, and a promenade definitely boosts our sales. Retail business is difficult enough given the economy and online shopping, but we strive daily to succeed. If State Street is reopened, our business and the other businesses on State Street will suffer. So many business owners we have spoken with agree that we need all the help we can get right now, and opening State Street will be devastating to our businesses. I hope the city council is speaking with long-time local businesses and taking our needs into consideration. State Street is the lifeblood of our city, and if the businesses on State Street fail, then we will be left with a ghost town.

Sincerely, [NAME] Owner Italian Pottery Outlet 929 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-564-7655 www.italianpottery.com

Subject: Support Title 31: Maintain State Street as a Pedestrian Zone Dear City Council Members, I am writing to urge you to reauthorize Title 31 and maintain State Street as a car-free pedestrian zone.

A car-free State Street is a vital economic driver for Santa Barbara. By prioritizing pedestrians, we maximize foot traffic, eliminate vehicle noise and congestion, and create space for parklets, which increase business capacity and generate tax revenue for our city. Reopening the street to vehicles would not only eliminate this growing revenue stream but would also impose an unnecessary $700,000 upfront cost on the city.

Arguments to return to a vehicle-centric model often rely on outdated perceptions of retail from 30 to 50 years ago. These arguments fail to account for the modern reality of e-commerce and the shifting dining and shopping preferences of today's consumers. Furthermore, contrary to unsubstantiated anecdotal claims that State Street Promenade has increased vacancies, recent research indicates that commercial vacancies have actually decreased as a result of a car-free State Street.

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I urge you to protect our vibrant downtown and choose a safe, quiet, and prosperous pedestrian environment. Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

Sincerely, [NAME] Hitchcock Neighborhood

Hello, I am a resident of downtown Santa Barbara. I have lived in the heart of downtown for the last 15 years. I walk and bike through downtown, using the state street corridor, almost daily. I often stop at a restaurant or a local store to make a purchase. My friends and family members and I attend downtown events because we can do so easily and enjoy the pleasant car free atmosphere. I use the state street loop shuttle 1-2 times per week and utilize the state street ebike stations several times a week.

If street opens to cars I, and other residents, will be less likely to spend time and money downtown because it will be less appealing. There is no parking on state street and the cars only bring hazards, noise, traffic, and pollution. It is undeniable that the small businesses and restaurants have increased patronage and visibility because of the foot traffic increase caused by the street closure.

I hope that you will take the widespread public support of the state street closure into consideration and avoid the costly process of reopening the street to cars. Please consider the negative impacts that increased car traffic would have on our downtown community and small businesses. Please keep state street community and business friendly.

Thank you, [NAME]

Mayor and City Council, I urge you to vote to OPEN STATE STREET to 2 way car traffic and minimize restaurant outdoor seating, which impedes foot traffic for those browsing retail storefront windows.

I rent a storefront window to promote my gallery on Anapamu (3 ft deep x 10 ft wide) in between Old Navy and Mosaic and have watched pedestrians look away from my window to negotiate a path around Mosaic's sidewalk tables.

Please walk the streets and ask store owners before you vote to leave State Street closed to car traffic.

We need to be visible to all, not just pedestrians and kids on e-bikes! Driving down the street is the best way to keep up to date on new stores and restaurants. The street is too long to depend on foot traffic alone for that.

I've been told there is group called Strong-Towns, who are said to be lobbying you all to keep the street closed. Why listen to them above those of us with skin in the game?

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Thank you for listening, [NAME] 10 West Gallery Director 10 [NAME] Santa Barbara CA 93110 805-770-[EMAIL]

Hi Team, I am writing to express my strong support for keeping State Street fully closed to car traffic and fully open to pedestrians and bikes at all hours. A pedestrianized State Street is a huge draw for locals (like us!) and tourists alike, and encourages us to visit businesses downtown and interact with our communities. It also provides a much needed safe haven for pedestrians, cyclists, and rambunctious toddlers in a city full of increasingly large and dangerous cars and trucks. Keeping State Street car-free seems like a no- brainer from a community, business, and economic perspective, and doing so will save the City money in the short and long run while increasing tax revenue from added business and rent as the area becomes more attractive.

Thanks for all of your hard work in service of making Santa Barbara a wonderful place to live and visit!

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Thanks, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear City Council Members, I hear there is a vote coming up to determine whether or not State street should remain car-free or not. It absolutely should.

There's a reason downtown walking areas are common in Europe and other places. In fact, there are several. They support local retail businesses which rely on foot traffic, citizen health through decreased air pollution and increased movement, and social cohesion by removing the physical and mental barriers that exist between passengers and pedestrians.

But all that aside, it's just nice to be able to walk around the downtown business district without the noise, smell and danger of cars. In fact, if I had my druthers, bikes would be disallowed as well, so that pedestrians could mill around in the middle of the street at will, car-free and carefree.

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But you know, baby steps. For now, let's at least keep out the cars.

Thanks for your consideration, [NAME]

State Street is perfect without cars. It's safe for me to ride my bike as I explore town or go get groceries and its safe for me to take my nieces to because they can focus on being kids and not on whether they'll survive the walk or ride. Plus, its free to reauthorize Title 31 while not doing so is going to cost us around $700,000 as well as put grants (Bloomberg) and pilot transit programs (Loop) at jeopardy because they both rely on a car-free State. Finally, businesses on State report more revenue without cars so not reauthorizing Title 31 will reduce sales tax revenues while incurring additional expenses. Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

keep state street car free!

• More usable space for businesses. Restaurants and shops can spread into the street with outdoor seating and displays, which tends to boost foot traffic and sales for hospitality-type businesses.

• Better experience for visitors and locals. Santa Barbara's economy depends heavily on tourism, and a walkable promenade plays well with that — people linger, browse, and spend more when they're not dodging traffic.

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• Safety. Fewer car-pedestrian conflict points, especially with the area's bar and restaurant density at night.

• 48 Identity and placemaking. Comparable to pedestrian districts in other beach/resort towns — it gives the city a distinct "destination" feel rather than just a drive-through corridor.

— [NAME] [EMAIL] khrossi.[EMAIL]/khrossi/

I have been a resident of the city for close on 60 years. With respect to the future of State Street, I strongly urge you and your staff to watch the just released episode 575 of Newsmakers With [NAME] in which he interviews [NAME], the owner of a business on State Street, and [NAME], a renowned local architect. You will learn a lot from their wisdom and you ought to take into account their viewpoints.

[NAME] 3033 Calle Rosales, SB 93105

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I love car-free State Street. and although it's not perfect, we can make it better.

I don't understand the argument of the (few) business owners who want to bring cars back, I simply don't see how cars driving past their stores (and still having to park in the public lots) will do anything to increase their business.

Please reauthorize Title 31 and keep moving toward a long term goal of a beautiful, car-free promenade.

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[NAME] 1014 Santa Barbara St. [EMAIL]

Dear City Decision Makers, My family and I enjoy biking along state street regularly and keeping it car free seems like the best decision to keep state street feeling friendly and open.

Other points that have come to my attention as reason to keep State street open:  The City's staff report is clear: reauthorizing Title 31 costs nothing. Letting it expire would cost an estimated $700,000 just to rip out the current setup and restore vehicle lanes.

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 If cars come back, the City may have to remove the Bloomberg-funded asphalt art at State & Carrillo. The grant requires the art to stay in place for two years, so that likely means repainting it elsewhere or repaying the grant money.

 [NAME] and the expanded sidewalk dining on the 500 block are active pilot programs right now, and both depend on State Street staying car- free to keep running.

 State Street is the spine of the City's bike network. Reopening it to cars makes it a higher-stress ride that families, older adults, and new cyclists are a lot less likely to use.

Our family would be greatly disappointed if state street were to get cars again, please make the decision to keep state street car free.

Thank you, [NAME] from my iPhone

Hi!

I am reaching out to encourage a car free state street! I have only been living in SB a short while but the car free zone in the core of downtown has left a lasting impact on myself and everyone I know who has visited me.

My family and friends talk about how amazing it is that Santa Barbara has pushed to keep safety and community focused areas at the top of their agenda, maintaining a car free state street and it is definitely a contributing factor in getting them to visit me again !

I go out of my way to walk on state street because of the lack of cars, bringing me past and into stores I would not have otherwise visited, and feel the tangible calm of safety knowing I can bike without fear of getting side swiped by a passing vehicle.

I would encourage the city council to keep state street safer and car free!

Thank you for your consideration, Adelaide -- [NAME] PhD student | Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara Young Lab | Website

Please keep state street open. It's the obvious choice. And has made downtown more vital. I own a business just off state street and the car free street has made life so much better.

[NAME], Psy.D.

Hello I am a resident of Santa Barbara and would like to keep state street car free. Specifically item 26 : [NAME] 31 to Keep State Street Car-Free Some people who received this message don't often get email from [EMAIL]. Learn why this is important

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[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I believe State Street being Car-Free is one of the best changes to my city in my 30 years living here.

I work downtown and love that state is a haven for bikers like myself and the new free shuttles.

The people love a car free State street and want to keep it that way.

Returning the street back to a car focused on is a mistake against the people of Santa Barbara

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Please keep state street car free! I love riding my bike and walking down state street. I live downtown and go there a lot.

I see first hand how vibrant and alive it is with pedestrians and no cars.

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Thank you for your time, [NAME]

State street is a crucial part of my bike commute! It is safer for pedestrians and bikes without cars. I am willing to ride the extra few blocks just to ride down state street because I feel much safer. Please don't open state street up to cars!

[ Keep state street free of cars! Instead, spend a little energy and budget to permanently transform the promenade. Ie: dd dedicated bike lanes with curbing - this has all been done before, take a trip to the Netherlands or Denmark and copy the pros.

[ Please keep state street car free. It's safer, more welcoming and creates a more vibrant Santa Barbara.

Sincerely, [NAME] 16 W mission St Sent from my iPhone

I vote to keep Santa Barbara car free

Please extend Title 31 and keep State Street closed to vehicles. The loss of outdoor seating would devastate businesses.

[NAME]

I am writing as a resident of downtown Santa Barbara to ask that the Council vote to direct staff to maintain the State Street Promenade in its current configuration and reauthorize Title 31 so that the Promenade remains closed to cars.

There is no good logic to the argument that somehow moving cars on State Street (with no parking) will revive failing retail businesses. The nature of retail businesses is being affected by factors that have nothing to do with automobile traffic on the street and, in fact, many restaurants, entertainment venues, and small businesses are thriving under the current conditions—more so than before the shutdown. (I have lived here long enough to observe the before and after.).

There is still a great deal to be done to upgrade sections of the Promenade (especially lower State), but the current arrangement of outdoor seating and pedestrian walkways is great for residents in this area and I look forward to moving ahead with the State Street Master Plan and a significant increase in downtown residential housing in the years to come.

[NAME] 350 Chapala St., #208 [EMAIL]

To City Council, I think State Street should remain car free. I have lived in Santa Barbara for about 21 years and the shift to an open walkway, additional outdoor restaurant seating, and the ability for pedestrians and bikers to move freely and safely has greatly improved the overall ambiance. The current State Street status quo makes me Much more likely to go to restaurants and patronize local businesses, an opinion shared by friends and visitors with whom I've discussed the matter. I'd be much less likely to go out to dinner if the seating were again crowded by cars with exhaust and State Street were less open and walkable.

Heather

[ Hello and thank you for your attention to this matter.

It's unwise to spend money to reopen State temporarily. If it's done, I don't see the council reauthorizing its closure afterward and spending money again to close it. It's so much more pleasant to spend time on State with the closure and it actually feels lively for the first time in my life. There's no want for additional parking.

Businesses should also be considered - many of them have staffed up to cover additional seating in parklets and they have been jerked around by this tug-of-war between a limited number of landlords and what the majority of people using State want. Please keep State closed to cars.

Thank you, [NAME]

Please let the City Council know that I strongly support continuing title 31 to allow State Street to continue in its current configuration as a promenade with outdoor restaurant seating and as a pedestrian-focused street, with possibilities for experimentation to create more seating and slow down e-bikes.

I am a long time resident of Santa Barbara City and I frequently visit the businesses on State Street. I have no problem parking my car in the city owned lots and I also frequently ride my electric bicycle on the bypass.

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Thank you, [NAME] 3731 [NAME], Santa Barbara, CA 93105

To whom it may concern: As a resident of Santa Barbara and a frequent shopper at State Street, I would like it to be known that I do not support allowing cars on state street again. As it stands currently, all cross traffic is still open to travel for vehicles and opening state to vehicles would not improve traffic conditions, either vehicular or pedestrians traffic to the businesses.

As it is currently, state street is a welcoming attraction to visitors and tourist to our beautiful town, it shows people the beauty our town has to offer by allowing everything to take in the beautiful architecture and community. The outdoor seating addition to many restaurants let people enjoy the comfort of our amazing climate while supporting our local businesses, it provides a 3rd place for teens looking for an escape in a safe environment after school and when not at home. It shows other communities that designing cities as walkable improves the health of both businesses and individuals alike.

Keep state street car free, and let more people get the exercise they need while supporting our local commerce.

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Best regards, [NAME]

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[ Dear City Council Members, I am a long term resident of Santa Barbara and have seen many changes in my 50+ years living here.

One of the most positive changes has been the closing of State Street to auto traffic.

The absence of noise, dust and fumes from auto traffic certainly helps attract me to the downtown area to shop and stroll.

Once the curb is removed and a uniform surf of pavers installed the entire width of the street, then we can eliminate all the pedlets and parklets, and have outdoor tables with umbrellas for restaurant dining, like they do in Europe.

Regarding parades up State Street, just install removable cross-street barriers or retractable bollards, so that there is free movement up the street for special events.

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Let's get it done one block at a time.

[NAME] 845 Willowglen Road, Santa Barbara, CA

As a 37-year retail business owner at 531 State Street, I have directly observed the positive impact that a car-free State Street has on retail sales. Unlike other cities where seasonal extremes of heat or cold limit outdoor activity, Santa Barbara's climate remains ideal for year-round outdoor engagement.

We must leverage our unique environment to create a plaza-like shopping and dining experience free from the noise and exhaust pollution of motor vehicles. Transitioning away from the constant disruption of revving engines and peeling tires allows visitors to enjoy our downtown in peace.

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My position is supported by direct feedback from our clientele: out of hundreds of visiting customers surveyed, 238 expressed strong support for the car-free initiative, while only 5 individuals opposed it due to parking concerns.

Sincerely Marcel Monsivais Marcel Monsivais Inc. [NAME] 531 State Street

Mayor and City Council, I urge you to vote to OPEN STATE STREET to 2 way car traffic and minimize restaurant outdoor seating, which impedes foot traffic for those browsing retail storefront windows.

I rent a storefront window to promote my gallery on Anapamu (3 ft deep x 10 ft wide) in between Old Navy and Mosaic and have watched pedestrians look away from my window to negotiate a path around Mosaic's sidewalk tables.

Please walk the streets and ask store owners before you vote to leave State Street closed to car traffic.

We need to be visible to all, not just pedestrians and kids on e-bikes! Driving down the street is the best way to keep up to date on new stores and restaurants. The street is too long to depend on foot traffic alone for that.

I've been told there is group called Strong-Towns, who are said to be lobbying you all to keep the street closed. Why listen to them above those of us with skin in the game?

Thank you for listening, [NAME] 10 West Gallery Director 10 [NAME] Santa Barbara CA 93110 805-770-[EMAIL]

keep state street car free!

• More usable space for businesses. Restaurants and shops can spread into the street with outdoor seating and displays, which tends to boost foot traffic and sales for hospitality-type businesses.

• Better experience for visitors and locals. Santa Barbara's economy depends heavily on tourism, and a walkable promenade plays well with that — people linger, browse, and spend more when they're not dodging traffic.

• Safety. Fewer car-pedestrian conflict points, especially with the area's bar and restaurant density at night.

• 48 Identity and placemaking. Comparable to pedestrian districts in other beach/resort towns — it gives the city a distinct "destination" feel rather than just a drive-through corridor.

… 1 more paragraph

— [NAME] [EMAIL] khrossi.[EMAIL]/khrossi/

Please extend Title 31 and keep State Street closed to vehicles. The loss of outdoor seating would devastate businesses.

[NAME]

Once again I am finding myself holding my breath for what the council, our representation and the powers and interests that be will decide, again on the fate of State.

In my previous writing, I mentioned community: There is no better sense of community one can find here in town than by visiting State street and strolling freely on the sidewalks and the street. I know my neighbors there better than my literal neighbors.

Guards are down. It's a public place to be in public. When the buses of tourists unload, they all take their pictures from the middle of state at figueroa looking down toward the ocean.They do this for a reason guys. A perfect mostly always sunny straight shot of a place many dream to live and many live with less in order to stay.

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The canopy of trees growing before Haley is a beautiful unique thing and ripping that apart to let large vehicles and trucks pass through is nonsensical.

One need only cross Haley to see how much cars change the vibe. Obnoxious attention seekers floor it through the tunnel, cars peeling out, near accidents and red light runners. The restaurants become hidden away indoors, or at most fenced in for the illusion of safety. It's dirtier it's less pleasant to stay.

It's just the hallway to the beach we all use.

I am a daily observer here. I walk it every single day and enjoy it every day. Busy days, down days, all of it.

I live downtown. I don't miss the few parades a year here. In no way do I miss the cars. I'm good with progress.

I was getting a drink while people-watching on Sunday afternoon, watching the parade of life pass before me just puzzled about who exactly the kind of interests are that seem so desperate to want to tear it down, and replace it with cars and congestion.

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I shot a video, link below, while sitting there, and my walk back to my apartment after and was even more confused and convinced the future of State Street is the present State Street, our new [NAME]. Leave it alone.

https://youtu.be/o8UEGdLAO_k

-- ADAM COURIER Videographer • Editor • [EMAIL] 28 m 310.721.5004

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I understand that especially the younger population loves the promenade feeling.

Even myself personally, there are some things about it. I find charming.

But the real reason I want State Street reopened, fully reopened, is accessibility.

I've been here since 1965.

I've seen a few changes over the years.

Now, in my senior years, the challenges are real.

Just geƫng up and down a few blocks on State Street is quite challenging anymore.

I'm not the only senior out there that's feeling this.

When we could catch a trolley and even go, three or four blocks, it made such a difference.

And those little golf cart style free rides don't look safe for someone with my mobility issues.

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Reopen State Street and reopen access for all.

Sincerely [NAME]

Hi, I am a resident who has lived downtown for decades and I am a firm supporter of keeping State Street Car-Free. It is a much more pleasant experience being able to walk and bike without sharing the space with cars, the street is more vibrant with summer music and dancing events in the street, and dining without breathing exhaust fumes or hearing loud cars is a huge improvement. I have enjoyed and benefited from all of the Closed State Street enhancements and use the BCycles multiple times a week to patronize businesses along the corridor.

I understand that if the street were reopened right now it would be "temporary" until the Master Plan could be implemented permanently and deliberately. However -- especially given the Council budget woes that have recently come to light -- I think it's unconscionable to consider spending ~$700,000 to temporarily undo the measures already implemented when it would be free to keep things as-is until it's time to implement the Master Plan.

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Please vote to reauthorize Title 31.

Thank you, [NAME]

Hello, I am writing to express my support for reauthorizing Title 31 to keep State Street car-free.

Walking down State Street is relaxing and inspiring, seeing people out and about and specifically their faces--laughing and interacting and living. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, State Street provides comforting encouragement that spending time together is, in fact, good.

Shopping in person is an important place for human connection, especially at a time of such political division. I remember State Street when it was not car-free, and it was not the same place I would want to walk down as an activity to stroll and peruse stores because the car traffic was much louder and more dangerous.

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When people come to visit, the first thing I do is bring them to State Street to walk around and visit different stores and restaurants. State Street is one of the core beautiful hallmarks of Santa Barbara.

Please keep it alive.

[NAME]

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I've been a resident since 1980 and believe what has happened to downtown is nothing short of a travesty.

Open State St to car traffic, get the wreckless, disrespectful, dangerous teen e-bikers in their own lane - the bike lane between the cars and the sidewalk, and bring people back to the businesses downtown.

This change has met with widespread disapproval of your constituents as evidenced by the fact so few people go downtown.

State Street is no longer a highly desireable place which is truly sad and in need of am immediate change in course.

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[NAME] Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

Dear SB City Council, I'm writing in support of keeping downtown State Street in Santa Barbara car-free. I only moved here a few months ago, but I was immediately struck by how vibrant and lively the car free portions of State Street are. It feels safer and more comfortable to walk on State Street than the downtown of pretty any other city I've been to, and the businesses seem to be thriving. Please keep it that way!!

Sincerely, Annapurna Post-Leon

State Street has become an incredible space for community gathering. It would be a shame to see that change when people can drive one block over on either side and get anywhere they need to go already...

I live a few blocks off State and walk on State at least 2-3 times per week.

Please keep State Street car free!

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Best, [NAME]

[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I believe State Street being Car-Free is one of the best changes to my city in my 30 years living here.

I work downtown and love that state is a haven for bikers like myself and the new free shuttles.

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The people love a car free State street and want to keep it that way.

Returning the street back to a car focused on is a mistake against the people of Santa Barbara

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep State St free of cars. The car free zone has been one of the best changes to SB in my time living here. It's quiet and pleasant to stroll and bike the length of this lovely street.

Thank you.

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Dr. [NAME] 2837 Serena Rd Santa Barbara, 93105

[ I work downtown and walk up and down State Street regularly. Doing so is so much better than it was ~7 years ago.

Please do not open up State Street to any vehicle traffic.

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[NAME] 229 W. Islay St. Apt. 4 609-610-3121

Hi All — I'm been a full time resident of SB for almost 50 years and even before that visited and shopped on State Street as a young child growing up in Ventura County. I remember when there was parking on State St. So I've lived through a few changes and economic ups and downs. But hey I still ride a bike and shop, but am not drawn to downtown too much to eat in over-priced restaurants or shop because what I like isn't there anymore (clothes stores like Nordstrom & Macys, Barnes and Noble, Sur La Table- and oh how I wish for a Crate and Barrell for more home furnishing options). Plus State has turned into more of a recreational bike path with idiot unsafe riders of all types and ages. It was never like this before, having vehicle traffic flow between lights and intersections provided a control of sorts that also regulated bicycle traffic because most riders back then followed the rule of traffic laws. I was one of them.

Ok... in reading this Draft my first thought was there was a lot of subjectivity in stating "perceived" facts.

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Perceptions are not facts. And lot of nice well meaning people on this committee seem to have strong opinions with which they are trying to drive certain narratives with. So City Council, please don't be entirely swayed by this, question everything.

For example, note my "perceptions" in (italic parenthesis): Driving Experience Prior to COVID, State Street served as a drive-through plaza (street) for vehicles (and bicyclists). The beautiful architecture, (some) outdoor cafes, shoppers, and street layout made the Plaza (it's a street, was never a plaza) a popular cruising destination (a vehicle travel route for drivers). The actual utility of driving was negligible (? that's a matter of opinion, not fact) since there was no on-street parking on State (many people disagree with this as seen in reading online comments as State Street has always been a vehicle driving corridor to reach other streets and destinations in the City- that is it's history). When the temporary State Street Promenade opened to pedestrians and cyclists, the level of traffic congestion that was added to the parallel streets of Chapala and Anacapa Streets was minimal (fact or perception? are there before and after traffic studies available to support this claim? my "perception" = wrong, traffic is now very heavy on these side streets). Chapala and [NAME] (as well as Santa Barbara St and De La Vina) are the north and south bound streets carrying traffic in Downtown and connect to the rest of the City's road network, including the nearby highway interchanges at Carrillo, Castillo, and Garden Streets to U.S. Highway 101, the only major highway bisecting the City.

And... I have not learned anything about any of the following after reading this Draft: • what are the net benefits of implementing this Master Plan?

• what is the timeline for this? This needs to be seriously discussed and put in writing. It could take 2-4 more years just to reach final approval. Then another 1-3 years to secure funding. Then another 3-6 years to tear up State and make the physical changes. So what 10 years total? more? less? anyone?

5 • what are the ALL costs involved for ALL these stages and who's paying for it? anyone?

• Economic Development & Housing: Support conversion of excess retail space to housing, office, and mixed-use development. The City has planned for 8,001 new units under the California Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) by 2030; the downtown core, including the Master Plan area, should accommodate 1,000–2,000 of those units (so that's a big maybe that this plan is hoping for, "should accommodate" how is that going to happen and how long will that take?) .

• 4. [NAME] for All to Recreate: The Promenade has created an expanded opportunity for residents and visitors to use State Street as a recreational space (during Covid, was supposed to be a temporary closure?), including for walking, cycling, jogging, and informal play in a way that was not possible when vehicles occupied the roadway. (but what about the merchants? the property owners? how will more of a shift to recreational space use benefit the businesses? will shoppers be going into their stores after they "recreate" or will they leave because they just came down to recreate?) This shift has been particularly meaningful for families with children, elderly residents (disagree), and people with disabilities (nope) for whom a car- free environment offers greater comfort, accessibility, and safety. However, ensuring that the space is welcoming to all requires continued attention to design, programming, maintenance, and the management of behaviors that make some users feel unwelcome. (what will the constant annual cost of these be and who pays for them?).

• Spanish Colonial Revival architectural: my opinion= I am sick and tired of this same 'ol same 'ol style, it adds to the monotonous feeling of State Streets' long mile. Whether we keep State closed or open it up to vehicles, we must become more flexible in allowing some spice here and there with some fun and attractive modern designs.

In conclusion, too much talk has been about whether or not to keep State closed or open to vehicles. Not nearly enough has been discussed about timelines, costs, net benefits to whom, net benefits to all merchants/all property owners (who are the real stakeholders).

The best possible solution right now— because it is too premature to support this Draft plan— is to simply open up State Street to some degree of vehicle traffic flow NOW because there are way too many varables that still need to be worked out. Lets see how State functions again, this seems like it's the least costly solution for now. It would even provide more clarity to what really could work as planning goes forward and what could help the merchants, not just the restaurant tourist industry. Staying closed for another 10 years is not a responsible financial decision at this time. You have a legal fiduciary duty to make the most responsible financial decisions that benefit the City as a whole, with no conflicts of interest. It's a heavy burden, don't drag your heels.

:) [NAME] (ps- same goes for supporting the Short Term Rental Ordinance update, 14 years and counting is waaaay [NAME]!!!)

On May 23 2026, in a letter to BOTH the Santa Barbara City Council and the State Street Master Plan Committee, I requested a delay of a cutoff date for public feedback and input for the drafted Master Plan of State Street. They did not express an openness for an extended public input - so here we are.

Points of Concern RENT: Who was it that most likely profited from the closure of State Street due to the outbreak of Covid-19 a few years ago? Bars, music clubs and restaurants were more advantageous than most retail businesses on State Street. Did rent dollars for these establishments include sidewalk and street use seats of 'parklets / pedlets'?

E-BIKES: Currently there are no e-bike speed posted on State Street. A speed deterrent would be advantageous with a reactivation of the mid-block crosswalk signals for pedestrians - it will slow down e-bike speeds.

POLICE & SAFETY: Since the closure of downtown State Street of vehicle traffic, the proliferation of e-bikes use has exploded. I have seen the presence of Santa Barbara police about a dozen times or so, and this is during different times of the day/night- this is very disturbing.

The construction of our new Santa Barbara Police Station off Cota Street is perhaps 2-3 years from completion. I would hope a greater police presence will be visible - no matter what the final layout of downtown State Street becomes.

STATE STREET MOVING FORWARD: Traffic flow needs to be reintroduced - even a one-way direction will work for visitors and Santa Barbara citizens alike. The concept of retractable bollards is a great idea. Let's bring back the parades; the mobility of these bollards will do just that.

SIDEWALK DESIGN: In March of last year, I wrote a letter to the Santa Barbara Public Works Department about a future sidewalk design that fits with our city. With this letter, I wrote that State Street sidewalk design had three different design patterns going back since the mid-1970's.

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I would hope that any future sidewalk design for downtown State Street use the current corner street name metal plaques that have a wonderful Santa Barbara style letter fonts that match our local street signs. It would be wrong not to include them in any future downtown sidewalk design.

The current pattern that is being used at the 1100 block of State Street, directly in front of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art - this pattern has kept its shape well. Get rid of the red brick sidewalks, they are unsafe and get very dirty.

77 ART ON STATE STREET: Should be encourage.

 Physical temporary use of artwork on sidewalks  Pianos-on-State  Public music events MAJOR DRAW AT DOWNTOWN: Is our famous downtown intersection of Carrillo & State streets. Perhaps an implementation of a complete X format of pedestrian traffic crossing at this intersection can become viable. With e-bike traffic often does not stop to wait for the green light to proceed. Of course, the Santa Barbara Fire Department will have to be consulted - after all, other larger communities in the United States use these X pedestrian crossing.

Thank you for your time and service to our community.

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[NAME] Santa Barbara, CA.

(805)280-3236

As a Santa Barbara resident, one of the greatest gifts is a car free State Street. It allows more people to browse, shop, and casually enjoy the beauty of our incredible town. When we have guests come to town the first place we take them is State Street to walk the town, enjoy a lovely meal outside whenever possible. The feedback is always: I wish we had something similar in our town".

Understanding, some people are against e-bikes on State street, the issues are solvable, and it appears the youth need to be monitored, parents need to be help liable for their behavior, rules and regulations need to be developed, including licensing the e-bikes. We need more lawful patrol on e-bikes to prevent any unlawful behavior and or issue citations.

Please keep State Street vehicle free.

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A loving Santa Barbara resident!

[NAME] Mobile: (714) 397-2130 [EMAIL]

To Whom It May Concern, Santa Barbara City Council, Please keep State St. car free! It's so refreshing to have a car-free downtown for so many blocks. I am an avid bicyclist and use State St. often. I am concerned about reckless e-bicyclists and I think this should be dealt with, perhaps by aggressively giving citations. Don't penaliza all of us for the mistakes of a few.

Bringing cars back will not bring more business and fill vacant stores on State St- those need to be addressed in another way.

Thank you for your time.

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[NAME] she/her/ella 1218 [NAME], Apt 3 Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Dear Clerk of Santa Barbara, I am writing to express my support for keeping State street closed to cars. Back when State street was open to cars, I personally was almost hit by a car speeding up State street. State Street is much safer and more pleasant without cars. I use the bike lane to commute to my job in the funk zone, and it is a very safe way to get across town.

Related, I have two safety concerns with how the bike lane has been working: 1.) I have seen a lot of kids on e-bikes who ride dangerously. They don't stay on their side of the bike lane, ride multiple riders across, swerve back and forth, pop wheelies, and ride at unsafe speeds. My personal opinion is that the only way to improve this dynamic is for the police to write tickets and educate them on safe riding.

2.) There are also always pedestrians walking in the bike lane. I've personally had close calls when young kids in a group next to the bike lane suddenly running into the bike lane. Perhaps, striping a third lane, just for pedestrians, similar to the butterfly beach area could improve this problem? I would also say that the Cabrillo bike lane is dangerous for the same reason.

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Lastly, thank you to all the people at the City who have put so much thoughtful time and energy into this issue.

Thanks, [NAME]

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[ at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council, As a longtime Santa Barbara resident, I respecƞully urge you to keep State Street permanently car-free between Haley and Victoria.

In my experience, the promenade has made downtown safer, more enjoyable, and a destination that people actually want to spend time in. Before the closure, I rarely drove on State Street because of the congestion and traffic signals.

Today, I regularly bike from Upper State to the waterfront, stop at local businesses, and enjoy an experience that simply didn't exist before.

I recognize there are challenges that still need to be addressed, including homelessness, enforcement of reckless e-bike and e-moto riders, and continued activation of the corridor. However, I do not believe reopening State Street to vehicle traffic will solve any of those issues.

I encourage the Council to continue investing in and improving the promenade rather than reversing the progress that has been made over the past six years.

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Thank you for your service to our community and for considering my perspective.

[NAME] O'Keefe Medical Solutions Cell 805-822-9516 [EMAIL] Sent from my iPhone Please excuse typos!

Please keep State Street closed to cars but include: NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH A LICENSE TO MOVE PEOPLE FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

E-bikes are dangerous in the areas where people are walking and these bikes are out of control! There is no reason they should be allowed in the areas that are setup for pedestrians. There are currently no regulations governing the use of these bikes that should include an age limit, speed, helmets, test etc. They are no different than a motorcycle! Personally I would prefer not seeing bikes or skateboards either but that might be a harder to pass.

Thank you [NAME] Santa Barbara Resident

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Hi, I'm writing in support of keeping State Street car free. Even when it was open to cars, I never drove on it because parking options are much better on other streets. Since it closed to driving, it has been a much better experience. It has a European feel to it, feels more community-oriented, and also is safer not worrying about cars as I walk around.

I think my visits to state street would decrease dramatically if cars were allowed on the road again. It truly has been one of the best updates to downtown SB in the ~10 years I've been here!

There should be some laws about young folks not driving e-bikes without a drivers license perhaps to make things safer, but that is a separate issue.

Please consider keeping it car free!

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Best, Ally

I will be unable to attend the City Council meeting tomorrow where the future of State St will be discussed. I have been a resident of SB for many years, and opening up State St as a promenade has brought many more people to State St. I don't like that e-bikes don't follow the rules, but that situation seems to be improving. I spend a lot of time downtown as a volunteer usher at various venues, and I love the more relaxed feeling of being on State St. Keep it as it is.

[NAME] W Valerio St

[NAME] car-free! I love the walk ability. More speed bumps for bikes tho. Rezone it for mixed use housing on it too