Upper State Street is one of the City’s main transportation and commercial corridors, lined with office buildings, banks, motels, shops, restaurants, and shopping centers, and surrounded by residential neighborhoods. This area is presently undergoing development pressure, with several major project applications under review by the City.
A focused study of traffic circulation and urban design in the Upper State Street area between Highway 101 and Calle Laureles has been prepared at City Council direction. The intent of the study is to identify near-term localized roadway improvements and refinements to development standards and design guidelines, within the framework of existing City General Plan policies.
Key issues reviewed in this study include traffic and parking, building setbacks from the street, building sizes and heights, landscaping requirements, scenic views and openness, and circulation for vehicles, pedestrians, buses, and bicycles.
Broader, city-wide policy and program issues that may also affect this area (such as freeway traffic, commercial development potential, housing density and affordability, and land use changes) are not part of the scope of this study, and will be looked at in the upcoming City General Plan update process.
Watch the Inside Santa Barbara segment on Upper State Street by clicking View Video for the October 2006 episode.
City Council Approves Upper State Street Study
On May 8, 2007, the Santa Barbara City Council approved urban design and transportation improvement measures for the Upper State Street Study Area, as described in the Final Council Resolution and Attachments below. Council members expressed appreciation for the time and contributions by community groups and individuals in this process.
Final City Council Resolution (PDF)
Resolution Exhibit A-Improvement Measures Summary (PDF)
Resolution Exhibit B-Summary Diagram of Urban Design Improvements (PDF)
Resolution Exhibit C-Summary Diagram of Transportation Improvements (PDF)
Resolution Exhibit D-Summary Diagram of Longer-Range Improvements (PDF)
City Council Meeting Minutes for May 8, 2007
Archived video of the May 8th City Council meeting may also be viewed online by clicking here, scrolling down to “May 8, 2007” and clicking “video”
Follow-up implementation of Council direction will include preparation of more detailed Design Guidelines for development in the Upper State Street corridor, and inclusion of identified roadway improvements in the City Capital Improvements Program. Staff will return to Council in Summer 2007 with implementation work programs.
Citywide policies on issues such as changes in land uses or density; the amount of additional commercial and residential growth that should occur; regional highway traffic; building heights; and environmental sustainability will be further discussed as part of the Plan Santa Barbara process to update the City General Plan (See http://www.YouPlanSB.org)
City Council action on May 8th also provided direction that, in the interim until Upper State Street implementation actions and the Plan Santa Barbara process are completed, the designs of development projects on Upper State Street are to incorporate urban design and transportation improvements identified in the Upper State Street Study.
Upper State Street Study Report
The Upper State Street Study Report (march 2007) sets out recommendations for roadway improvements and amendments to development standards and design guidelines.
Topics discussed in the report include the character and openness of the corridor, landscaping and “streetscape” design, scenic views, open space, creeks, building heights and setbacks from the street, traffic and parking improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle safety and connections.
The Study Report may be viewed or downloaded here, or a copy may be picked up at the Planning Division office, located at 630 Garden Street.
Study Report (7.5 MB)
3 Summary Diagrams: Study Report Figures 7, 9, and 10 (11 x 17”)
Figure 7 – Urban Design Recommendations
Figure 9 – Short-Term Transportation Improvements
Figure 10 – Long-Term Transportation Improvements
Appendices (17MB) – entire document
Appendices by Section
Appendix A – Summary of Community Workshop Comment
Appendix B – Existing S-D-2 Overly Zone Ordinance
Appendix C – Existing Upper State Street Area Design Guidelines
Appendix D – Transportation Improvements: Concept Designs and Descriptions
(See also below to view or download the associated traffic report.)
Public Involvement
The City encourages public comment on the issues discussed in the Upper State Street Study Report, by submitting written comments and/or testimony at the upcoming public hearings.
Please submit written comments to the attention of Beatriz Ramirez, City Planning Division, as follows:
Mail: P. O. Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Telephone: (805) 564-5470
Email: UpperStateStreet@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Fax: (805) 897-1904
Upcoming Public Hearings
A Planning Commission Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007, at City Hall (Anacapa at De la Guerra), Council Chambers (2nd Floor). The Planning Commission will consider the Upper State Street Study Report and provide recommendations to City Council. The public is invited to attend and participate. The meeting starts at 3:00 p.m.* Click here for the Planning Commission Staff Report and Exhibits.
A City Council Public Hearing will also be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 (City Hall, Council Chambers) for Council consideration and action on Study Report recommendations. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m.*
* Meeting agendas and staff reports are available several days prior to the meetings on the City web site at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov (under Quick Links, click on Council Agenda Packet or Boards and Commissions) or at City offices. Please check the City web site for any changes in hearing dates, meeting start times, and where this item falls on meeting agendas. Channel 18 may also be monitored for meetings broadcast live.
American Disabilities Act: If you need assistance to participate in a hearing, please contact the City Administrator’s Office at (805) 564-5303, if possible at least 48 hours in advance of a hearing so that arrangements can be made.
Staff Contacts: Barbara Shelton & Beatriz Ramirez, Planning Division (564-5470); Rob Dayton, Transportation Division (564-5385).
Advisory Boards and Commissions
Other City advisory boards will also consider the Upper State Street Study Report at their regular meetings in March and early April 2007. The advisory boards will provide their comments and recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council. Public comment on their areas of focus is also welcomed at these meetings.
Wed, March 14, 5:30 p.m.* City Creeks Advisory Committee
David Gebhard Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street
Thurs., March 22, 6:00 p.m.* Transportation & Circulation Committee
David Gebhard Meeting Room
Wed., March 28, 4:00 p.m.* Park & Recreation Commission
City Hall/Council Chambers, Anacapa at De la Guerra
Mon., April 2, 3:00 p.m.* Architectural Board of Review
David Gebhard Meeting Room
Tues, April 10, 8:30 a.m.* Metropolitan Transit District Board
MTD Offices, 550 Olive Street
* Please see notes above about checking meeting arrangements, American Disability Act arrangements, and staff contacts.
Upper State Street Traffic, Circulation and Parking Study
The City contracted with traffic consultants Meyer, Mohaddes Associates to examine traffic, circulation, and parking issues.
The Upper State Street Study Report (see above) summarizes this Traffic, Circulation and Parking Study.
The Traffic Report is available here for download (10 MB), or may be picked up from the Planning Division office.
The separate Technical Appendix for the Traffic Study may also be downloaded (4 MB), or picked up from the Planning Division.
The attached Errata letter provides a correction to the parking analysis.
Previous Public Involvement
The City sponsored a Walking Tour and two Public Workshops in mid-October 2006 and asked the community for feedback about what they liked about the area and what they would change.
Download the Workshop PowerPoint (PDF, 7 MB) here.
Read the Summary of the Public Comments (PDF, 100k) that summarizes all the input we received at the workshops and the written comments submitted.
· Public Comments Received – letters and emails Oct.- Dec. 2006 (PDF, 5 MB)
· Traffic Consultant letters and emails Oct.- Nov. 2006 (PDF, 3 MB)
THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to participate in the walking tour and workshops and to all of you who provided comments!!
Upper State Street Information Booklet
The Upper State Street Information Booklet discusses the history and existing development patterns of the area. Copies may be picked up at the counter downstairs in the Planning Division at 630 Garden Street, or may be downloaded here: (Please note that this booklet is designed to be printed landscape format on 11x17 paper)
Upper State Street Information Booklet (Entire Document - 17 MB)
Upper State Street Information Booklet by Chapters:
Executive Summary (1.4 MB)
Introduction (1.0 MB)
History and Background (1.5 MB)
Policy Context (1.5 MB)
Urban Design (7.1 MB)
Circulation, Traffic and Parking (4.4 MB)
Upper State Street Information Booklet Appendices (615k)
To Stay Informed and Participate:
ü Review the Upper State Street Study Report and Traffic, Circulation and Parking Study
ü Call 564-5470, X4556 to get on the mailing list to receive notice of future Planning Commission, or City Council Meetings
ü Attend public hearings before the City boards and commissions
For further information on the Upper State Street Study, e-mail: UpperStateStreet@santabarbaraca.gov or call (805) 564-5470.