Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Lake Los Carneros Full

Winter Rains Fill Goleta’s Largest Freshwater Lake

For the first time in more than a decade, Lake Los Carneros is full thanks to over 28 inches of rainfall this winter in Goleta. The most recent storms added enough water to fill the lake to its maximum capacity. The lake level reached an engineered overflow pipe on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The last time this occurred was during the 2011-2012 winter season.

According to Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson, a full Lake Los Carneros is good for wildlife habitat. He said, “Migratory birds, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and other wildlife benefit from this treasured wetland. Wetland habitats at Lake Los Carneros depend on winter rains and the prolonged drought was taking its toll on wildlife that don’t fare as well when water levels are low. It is great to see Lake Los Carneros at maximum capacity once again.”

Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Division staff are monitoring water levels and keeping the overflow pipe clear of debris. A controlled release of water to downstream wetlands is being conducted to lower the lake level below the popular walking path at the southern edge of Lake Los Carneros. City staff are aiming to keep the lake as full as possible heading into the summer. 

If you want to see Lake Los Carneros for yourself, it can be accessed on foot from La Patera Lane or via the Stow House entrance off Los Carneros Road. Please remember dogs are required to be on leash at all times and feeding wildlife is strongly discouraged. To learn more about the wildlife that call Lake Los Carneros home, please enjoy The Birds of Lake Los Carneros, a short documentary film made by Michael Love and Elliot Lowndes for the Santa Barbara Audubon Society: https://tinyurl.com/ynuc8atp.


Lake Los Carneros taken on March 21, 2023

Caltrans Bridge Replacement Project

To begin on Highway 217 in April

A bridge replacement project on Highway 217 above San Jose Creek in Goleta, just north of the entrance to the University of California Santa Barbara is scheduled to begin construction in mid-April.

Construction will occur during the daytime and overnight hours.

The traveling public can expect traffic delays as well as closures of the Sandspit Road on and off-ramps, periodic lane closures and full highway closures with exact dates and times to be determined.

According to nearby traffic volume stations, upwards of 5,200 vehicles travel the bridges every day.

The existing four-lane highway bridge was constructed in 1963. The new bridges have been designed to current standards and flood elevations.

Bridge construction is expected to be complete in Summer 2025. A follow up plant establishment project will be complete in Fall 2027.

US 101 San Jose Creek Bridge 

A second project will begin this Summer on the US 101 San Jose Creek Bridge just north of Hwy. 217. The northbound and southbound bridges will be demolished and replaced in separate phases, keeping traffic open but with fewer lanes. Caltrans will release more information on this project when details are certain.

Travelers should allow extra time to reach their destinations because of these projects which will improve infrastructure in the area.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter: @CaltransD5, Facebook: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) & Instagram: @Caltrans_D5.

Easy to Find and Watch City Meetings

Watching City meetings is easier than ever before with our mobile-friendly refreshed website! You can click on “Meetings & Agendas” in the main navigation or the “City Meetings” call-to-action button – both front and center on our homepage www.CityofGoleta.org. And now, we’ve given our Meetings & Agendas page a new look too! All Council, Board, and Commission meetings are grouped by year to make it easier to find what you are looking for. Upcoming meetings are still listed at the top of the page. Check it out now at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas.

2023 Homelessness Count Preliminary Results

Point in Time Count results show a decrease of 3.7% in the number of people experiencing homelessness

Preliminary results of the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Count of persons experiencing homelessness were released on March 16, 2023. Conducted on January 25, 2023, by the Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care (Continuum of Care), the Count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and serves as a snapshot of homelessness in the county on a single night.

Countywide, 1,887 persons were counted representing a decrease of 3.7% in the number of persons experiencing homelessness. The count includes 1,202 persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness and 685 persons living in emergency shelters or transitional housing. More than 77% of persons surveyed during the count reported losing housing while living in Santa Barbara County.

 

Year

 

Sheltered

 

Unsheltered

Total Persons Counted Experiencing Homelessness

2019

670

1,133

1,803

2020

674

1,223

1,897

2022

595

1,367

1,962

2023

685

1,202

1,887

The County Board of Supervisors, Continuum of Care and cities adopted a Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness in 2021. The Community Action Plan outlines key strategies and action steps. Following adoption, 140 shelter beds and over 800 opportunities for permanent housing have been added to the homelessness response system. 1,050 persons transitioned out of homelessness into permanent housing despite soaring rents and an extremely low rental vacancy rate in 2022. This significant achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of dedicated service providers. The county has made significant investments in shelter, housing and services including resolving 154 encampments.

Contributing to this success was the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program. HUD provided a total of 272 long-term rental subsidy vouchers to the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara and the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara. The two housing authorities worked with the Continuum of Care and the County of Santa Barbara to successfully lease up all vouchers ending homelessness for hundreds of local families and individuals. Local program implementation has received national recognition for the efficient utilization of this valuable permanent housing resource.

The table below provides total count data by city or area for the past three counts.

City/Area

2023 Total

2022 Total

2020 Total

Carpinteria

23

21

39

Goleta

136

91

166

Santa Barbara

787

822

914

Isla Vista

88

112

69

Unincorporated South

73

76

61

 

 

 

 

Lompoc

233

290

211

Buellton/Solvang/Santa Ynez Valley

20

12

2

Santa Maria

472

457

382

Guadalupe

8

2

3

Unincorporated North

47

79

50

Totals

1,887

1,962

1,897

This year’s point in time count identified the distribution of the population experiencing homelessness as 59% in south county (1,107 persons) and 41% in mid and north county (780 persons). The homeless population decreased over all, but increased in Carpinteria, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley and Guadalupe.

The Continuum of Care and County of Santa Barbara recruited more than 400 volunteers to assist at 5:00 a.m. to canvas 89 census tracts across the county. The methodology is in alignment with national best practices, relies on geographic coverage, and has remained consistent since 2019. A mobile application from Simtech Solutions provided real-time data to logistics centers from volunteers out canvasing and counting.

The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care promotes community-wide planning and strategic use of resources and programs targeted to people experiencing homelessness. The County of Santa Barbara serves as the lead agency and Administrative Entity for the Continuum of Care. The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care Board will receive the complete 2023 Point in Time Count report and presentation on May 4, 2023 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

State Comments on Goleta’s Adopted Housing Element

The State of California’s Housing and Community Development Department provided comments on Goleta’s adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element to the City on March 20, 2023. The State’s letter notes that the City’s adopted Housing Element addresses most statutory requirements and includes requests for additional information, analysis and revisions to align the document more closely with the requirements of State housing law.

Goleta’s Housing Element is important because it establishes City policies and programs for maintaining and improving existing housing and plans for how to accommodate the City’s share of the region’s housing needs as identified by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The City’s careful planning work included extensive public outreach and resulted in adoption of its Housing Element on time to meet the State’s February 15, 2023, deadline. In addressing the City’s housing needs, the adopted Housing Element prioritizes urban infill and containing sprawl, encouraging mixed use, walkability, and transit/alternative transportation connectivity in line with good planning principles and the State’s policy priorities to combat climate change. The adopted Housing Element continues the City’s approach to date to deliver much needed housing – over 1,300 new units over the last 8-year cycle.

City staff will work collaboratively with the State on the revisions in the coming weeks. Assessing our housing inventory and fair housing requirements will continue to be a focus. Revisions proposed to the Housing Element to address the State’s comments will return to the Planning Commission and City Council at a future date for consideration and adoption and provide more opportunities for public input.  

To learn more about the Housing Element Update Project and review the State’s comment letter, visit the project page on our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/housingelement.

Heritage Ridge Residential Project Approved

More affordable housing is in Goleta’s future. After nine years of planning and consideration, the Goleta City Council approved the Heritage Ridge residential project at its March 7, 2023, meeting. The 332-unit apartment project, which includes 102 affordable housing units, is the third and final phase of the adjacent Willow Springs residential development and will be located on the north side of Camino Vista Drive adjacent to Los Carneros Road.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “There is such a tremendous need for affordable housing right now and we are so pleased that the Heritage Ridge project will give more people the opportunity to live where they work which will ultimately increase their quality of life.  Less time commuting means more time to enjoy your community.”

There will be 102 affordable rental units for both seniors and families, with two manager units, and 228 market-rate rental units (total 332 units). The project also includes a two-acre public park designed with a variety of amenities to serve the recreational needs of residents and business employees in the surrounding neighborhoods, which could include people of all ages and families with young children. The park will include a playground, Chumash cultural area, walking path with exercise equipment, a multi-use turf area and a nature habitat area.

In 2019, Redtail Multifamily Land Development, LLC (“Redtail”) took over the Project from the Towbes Group. The project went through many steps to get to this point including input from the Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission before coming to City Council.

This Project will complete the Central Hollister Corridor housing plan outlined in General Plan Land Use Policy LU 8 and will provide affordable and market rate housing in keeping with both Land Use and Housing Element policies. The recently adopted Housing Element 6th Cycle update also includes this location as a site suitable for residential development.

The staff report can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/mut2uhwf. To watch the meeting go to https://tinyurl.com/6sud3pyn.

Pictured above: City Council meeting discussing Heritage Ridge; Pictured below: Heritage Ridge rendering

Goleta’s Community State of the City is April 10th

Watch Video Invitation from Mayor Perotte Outlining Informative Event

The 6th Annual Goleta Community State of the City is almost here! Join us on Monday, April 10, for a special evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (150 N. Kellogg Avenue). This is a must-attend, free community event for anyone who loves Goleta. Come learn about the City’s recent accomplishments and what the future holds. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation is available and light refreshments will be provided.

Here is Mayor Paula Perotte with her personal invitation to you (https://youtu.be/CWRY4ySs_n4). Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez provides an invitation in Spanish (https://youtu.be/pE4lsZkek6g). Please share these videos and help spread the word about this important night.

The full program of events includes:

From 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. you can:

  • Mingle informally with the Goleta City Council, stakeholders, City staff, and fellow Goletans
  • Visit our City information stations
  • Submit your question for the Q&A section at the end of the program
  • Take photos
  • Enjoy light refreshments

The Program begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.:

  • Mayor Perotte gives the 2023 State of the City Address
  • City Manager Robert Nisbet provides an update on the City’s Finances
  • Q&A session with Mayor Perotte and Department Directors

We hope to see you at the 2023 Goleta Community State of the City! Thank you to the Elks Lodge for having us back once again.

Beach Baby Kids Boutique Opens in Goleta

Goleta’s newest and only children’s store, Beach Baby Kids Boutique, held a special ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Paula Perotte and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 24. Community members gathered mid-morning with the store owners for the special occasion. Beach Baby Kids Boutique is located at 270 Storke Road, Suite A and is open every day from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. It is locally owned by business partners Andrea Herz and Trudie Lopez, both long-time residents of Goleta. 

“I really enjoy welcoming new business and encouraging women owners to get into business” said Mayor Perotte, “I am so excited to have a children’s store where you can mingle with other families and children.”   

Beach Baby Kids Boutique celebrated its Grand Opening Party on Saturday, March 25th from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. with a special event for families and children in collaboration with other local businesses. Please join the City of Goleta in welcoming the newest business to Storke Plaza.  


Mayor Paula Perotte with owners Andrea Herz (left) and Trudie Lopez (right)

Volunteer with Community Partners in Caring

Community Partners in Caring is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in Santa Barbara County created to support seniors 62 and older and individuals with mild disabilities. Its mission is to provide volunteer support services that allow our seniors and individuals with disabilities to live independently while maintaining dignity, respect, and quality of life.

Community Partners in Caring is looking for volunteers! Volunteers are matched with seniors and individuals who need non-medical support services but cannot afford to pay for these services. Volunteers provide rides to medical appointments, groceries, friendly visits, reassurance calls, assistance with shopping, and warm referrals to other needed resources. Volunteers are the eyes and ears of the agency. They watch for declining health and self-care and identify other needs so that Community Partners in Caring can intervene and make appropriate referrals. 

Because volunteers provide all services and the agency is funded through gifts, government, and philanthropic grants, services are always free. 

Why volunteer? Volunteers enjoy a flexible schedule, involve themselves in meaningful and rewarding activities, and can volunteer as often or as little as they like. Mileage reimbursement and liability protection are provided. Community Partners in Caring coordinates all services which prevent volunteers from being over asked. There are also various volunteer social activities, such as the monthly volunteer roundtable, the annual volunteer picnic, and end of year party. 

It’s a great opportunity to meet new people while doing something that allows older seniors to stay connected to their community. 

Learn more and sign up to make a difference at https://partnersincaring.org/.

CommUnify Water Assistance Program

Up to a $2,000 one-time payment provided to qualified households through July 2023

CommUnify (formerly Community Action Commission/CAC) has a $1.4 million Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) utility payment assistance program for community members that have been unable to afford their water bills and have struggled financially following the pandemic.

LIHWAP offers low-income households a one-time payment – of up to $2,000 – to help pay bills for residential water or wastewater costs. The program is limited to households receiving services from participating water and wastewater districts and all applications must be received prior to the deadline at the end of July, 2023 to receive the payment of assistance benefits. Residents can visit the LIHWAP page on the 2-1-1 website for a complete list of enrolled service providers. Residents interested in seeing if they qualify for the LIHWAP program should call the 2-1-1 HelpLine to complete a brief screening, learn whether they meet the eligibility requirements, and find an enrolled local service provider.