[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6540684,"mediaKeyId","3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3","parentId",3341985,"title","Accessibility advisory panel objects to proposed allowance of A-frame signs in parkways","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",580000,"endMs",852000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3&start=580&end=852","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3/thumbnail_580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540684/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Accessibility-advisory-panel-objects-to-proposed-allowance-of-A-frame-signs-in-parkways","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540684-55ff66310bd614725058e7b6e63ed8a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388676&Signature=Lb3JLZiRVJXuunnRIlA6K0if24GE~jw1QSGT5FJmvDr4Ri8nF~p72OQwzvEG8X5qx4jn89HFAXV2h-nUEcBlRhVrQrL~DubWSurM8EELQqqmVGr8GX72ePs73omBDHpIhsV2yA61Qk~RSs~hRmXaWZRoMnWnkNPys16xrXMZm5qPL0ruvK~b2YDTgsKgqYhlJoAIiNV6cksH1QsOMHPcjWRKaElUyUZRP5rSvQFsaDgb9dupt9fg-OknxQkc~UkREVrCd4S2fxqSnRVCYN4k6gabjB8Xq5rnMfnWBKFlKMjOaB81TdUgXj-AdJrul4vacLTFH8LeidmC2VlNTpl~ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Barbara, CA","date","2025-05-16T15:05:24Z","article","Committee members told staff they remain concerned that a draft city sign ordinance would allow A-frame (frame) signs within parkway areas, even though the committee advised restricting signage to staked signs in non-paved parkways to prevent migration into paths of travel.

Committee member Rasler said the committee had recommended that only staked signs be allowed in parkway areas and that A-frame signs are more likely to \"migrate\" into pedestrian routes. \"Those A-frame signs should not be in any parkway, grass, turf, or otherwise. Just plain and simple,\" Rasler said.

The committee discussed uncertainty over the ordinance committee’s representation of advisory input. One member said the staff report to council did not clearly articulate the advisory committee’s advice and urged staff to restate those concerns to the ordinance committee. Staff acknowledged the city attorney used information staff provided and that ordinance language can differ from advisory recommendations.

SB Connect and complaint tracking
Committee members asked about the City’s SB Connect system and how the committee might access data about right-of-way encroachment complaints. Staff said they can run queries in SB Connect and that downtown parking and public-works staff can respond to immediate sidewalk obstructions when reported.

Next steps
Members debated whether to reconvene a special meeting to reframe the committee’s written advice before the ordinance is ratified. Some members said the committee had fulfilled its advisory role and preferred to document concerns in the committee record and pass them on to council rather than reconvene an extra meeting.

Why it matters
Committee members said the distinction between types of parkway surfaces (planted, turf, decomposed granite) affects whether signs should be allowed and urged clearer definitions in the ordinance language to preserve continuous paths of travel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Access Advisory Committee - May 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Access Advisory Committee told staff they believe a draft sign ordinance misrepresents the committee’s prior advice and expressed concern that A-frame signs allowed in parkways would migrate into pedestrian paths and reduce accessibility.","taxTitle","Santa Barbara City, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",4209,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540691,"ADA coordinator reports progress on ramps and transition-plan projects; Ty Warner pledge helps fund Dwight Murphy park",336,5900000,6236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3&start=5900&end=6236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3/thumbnail_5900000.jpg","/articles/6540691/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/ADA-coordinator-reports-progress-on-ramps-and-transition-plan-projects-Ty-Warner-pledge-helps-fund-Dwight-Murphy-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540691-0d701ae7fabd406aaa3d7f7874c873c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388676&Signature=Duyg5rtcA5QAOUZy0PksSrz1IRzZrlXyKOjJvNMV6jtbFGdXSEiHyMQfvq-sNM7pfJj6HmDEzMAZQXKlCk93hd9Uu6TeEX5Et5bd~X3uQVMxOaVn2cQAS0R3VM4hOi-OJs1selFDWSz6wwFlb3rYcn0TTwDgy2BdyADGOotr-yKCXOIzQ4oz~t2CWu-KSb7KIrKwNk7XUdRxsXzfN7ACgTykrxUMlv1UHrJqXuLn85jBGZVb485iI5abbn1oeKmu7QDSoTGYrxNbnydNTykTKjuLyH04bfwEOaO4YK9pQXTMI~ACqayUdltzKS021XctVWM2JZ1hNnOifIzFixcTLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City ADA staff updated the Access Advisory Committee on multiple implementation items in the ADA transition plan, including recent ramp installations, upcoming bid packages and a major parks project that had a late funding shortfall but now has outside support.

Progress on ramp projects and bid packages
ADA coordinator staff reported that the ramp at the Granada Theater was poured and installed in recent weeks and that remaining work — including truncated domes — remains. Staff said bid packages for remaining transition-plan corrections (doors, hardware, signage, toilet accessories and other items) are being organized and staff hope to issue and award packages in the coming quarter to begin work through 2026.

Dwight Murphy project: contract and new pledge
Craig (staff) told the committee the Dwight Murphy project contract was awarded by council earlier in the month and work will begin in June. The committee heard that the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation raised $6 million and that a $5 million pledge from Ty Warner helps close a funding gap created when contractor proposals came in higher than the engineer’s estimate.

\"Work is gonna start in June,\" Craig said, noting the additional pledge reduces or eliminates the need for extra city funding to bridge the gap between bids and estimates. Staff estimated a spring 2027 completion for the multiuse artificial-turf field and associated amenities including an all-abilities playground and restrooms.

City Hall accessible parking
The ADA coordinator reported staff received a grievance about City Hall employee-lot accessible parking. Staff said the decision was made to allow the three accessible spaces in the employee lot to be used by the public during business hours, and to change signage to make the availability clear.

Transition-plan schedule and parks work
Staff outlined capital projects that will address transition-plan deficiencies: construction for the police station and Dwight Murphy park, Davis Center remodels, Chase Palm Park arbor and Harborway path-of-travel improvements. The ADA team said they will convene an ad hoc meeting in June to present proposed bid-package groupings to the committee for feedback.

Why it matters
Committee members praised the progress and asked staff to consider broader policy consistency, suggesting the City adopt a citywide practice to allow public use of available accessible parking on city-owned lots when not needed by employees. Staff said they will bring these questions back for future discussion.","City ADA staff reported newly installed ramps at the Granada, progress on bid packages for ADA transition plan work, and a contract award and near-term construction start for the Dwight Murphy project after a $5 million pledge; staff also said three employee parking spaces at City Hall will be made available to the public for accessible parking.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540695,"Film festival presents new theater ramp design; committee presses for emergency egress and audio description",353,1078000,1431000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3&start=1078&end=1431","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3/thumbnail_1078000.jpg","/articles/6540695/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Film-festival-presents-new-theater-ramp-design-committee-presses-for-emergency-egress-and-audio-description","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540695-91c88075035e0d44f7bd0b44c95e31ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388676&Signature=goojlSwQQXOJyM4mVHOm6UAr9d-FKW0lGYz73GiKo5WJ74J7h1qCpl1jgGs5-sJPZP5JZRSksqd6Hv~Vq5AjOyUQkQj~bogo-cWwMva7fpf7oZQTtKb0JLDPIYayYedKJ9DRkoMdiZ4GHpoMc1tR0w732CLow4OJRs1U2MugAnuk8OLybBRJ6QHFIr~RyPLcD5MKbCK5WvVSbJSrfK-VZ5W4XC02vh-plnNzN96eCS12XB-ufTg4qChT0d4rIBT9D7Rkbr9w4Ro6~vUT~ojSgVzGQDv~pbIninuLGkH4y6-qkwj51VDLGcRw8BhAaQbe4Y~d4duZQ8LlxtwK--wrRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival described plans to replace a vertical lift with a new code-compliant switchback ramp at the festival’s downtown theater entrance, presenting dimensions and interior accessibility features to the Access Advisory Committee.

\"The ramp will consist of three segments, each approximately 18 feet in length,\" the representative said, describing handrails, guardrails and an entrance foyer that will provide direct access to accessible box-office counters and 34-inch high concession and customer-service counters. The presenter said the design meets the California Building Code’s opening-force requirement for the swinging doors.

Nut graf: Committee members welcomed the changes as increasing access for a broad range of visitors — from caregivers and stroller users to people with mobility devices — and asked follow-up questions about emergency exits, audio-description tracks for films and a hearing loop for theaters.

Emergency egress and lower-level theaters
Committee members asked whether the renovation would permit an accessible emergency egress from lower-level theaters. The presenter said the theaters are below ground level and that retrofitting emergency exits could require chairlifts or other substantial alterations: \"We will look into it,\" the presenter said. Another staff member noted one side exit has about eight steps and that ramping the long hallway to the back door could be challenging.

Audio description and hearing loop
Committee members asked about plans to provide audio description for visually impaired patrons and to partner with local nonprofits. The film festival representative said festival staff will request audio-description tracks from distributors when available and will \"provide it as much as possible.\" The presenter also confirmed a hearing loop will be installed in all theaters.

Community reaction
Committee members praised the ramp renderings and said they expect the ramp to improve access for older adults and families. \"My 90-year-old mom is going to be able to use it happily,\" one member said.

Next steps
The festival representative said staff and project architects were available to answer additional technical questions and that the project will proceed with building-permit and code-check steps. Committee members asked staff to continue following emergency-egress possibilities and to explore local partnerships to expand audio-description availability.","Festival representatives presented architectural plans for a new compliance ramp and interior accessibility features at a downtown theater; committee members thanked them and asked about emergency egress options, audio description and hearing-loop installation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540700,"City staff outline State Street pilot projects including 500-block 'pedlets' and a golf-cart loop",1997,1713000,3710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3&start=1713&end=3710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3341985-636693914debcb0ec99fd94e52e9dca3/thumbnail_1713000.jpg","/articles/6540700/Santa-Barbara-City/Santa-Barbara-County/California/City-staff-outline-State-Street-pilot-projects-including-500-block-pedlets-and-a-golf-cart-loop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540700-4ce50c1f2a33a89ec93fac59c0054ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388676&Signature=cW0zsUt66VDq6AwuxgrIIwM6iwF6myLQ2ArRg35wJebeZpkVjtYFuKCD65bZUtWdhg4Wmvumyk5t5ZibB2Uhp1YuJtvomupCPIiOj-YuJPzI3Mc2CK1YsclET8NWR~eWamW1Ax0BZ5c0tcDV89aia471Y6kHFBWrzwWi59usGAu-B5UPjas2fC84~5WmioUwp2X5tsFtX0Y6GKvYHXHMsy2vK7IzPiwAAAbfAzosKIRYG1uB9EFloeScmADcs~J1UhaXzQ0KQyOzjfHgJl-L6ZAD2bC3W0ZHOxC5MXd6A5U8GYqSLicDwCWw4H-oe98ifU0S2VHWSpXXfhJBiqpgig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tess Harris, the State Street master planner in the city administrator’s office, briefed the Access Advisory Committee on a portion of the short-term action plan the City Council approved in September.

Harris said the plan includes a refresh of the 1200 block by the Granada Theater, a set of preapproved outdoor-furniture standards for businesses, a pilot using modular sidewalk extenders called “Pedlets” on the 500 block, a seasonal MTD waterfront shuttle and a separate golf-cart loop on State Street.

\"The Pedlets... essentially extend the sidewalk space by an additional 8 feet,\" Harris said, describing the units as modular pieces manufactured by Modstreet. She said the city has ordered the units and expects installation on the 500 block around August as a timed pilot.

Why it matters: committee members and staff framed the pilots as test projects to evaluate how expanded sidewalk dining and microtransit would affect accessibility, pedestrian travel and future capital planning. Several members pressed staff on how the pilots would protect an uninterrupted path of travel, fees charged to businesses and who pays for the pilots.

Key program details
- Preapproved furniture: Staff described a catalog of preapproved tables, chairs and planters being developed with the Historic Landmarks Commission; businesses must either choose from the list or pursue regular design review. Harris said the standard will require at least one ADA-compliant table option and that the requirement becomes effective by 2026 or upon master-plan completion.

- Pedlets (500 block pilot): Pedlets are modular 8-by-4-foot sidewalk extenders designed to move dining closer to building frontages and reserve an at-least-8-foot clear pedestrian corridor. Harris said the pilot aims to test user experience and whether expanded sidewalks can be a long-term approach. She said the city has ordered pedlets and expects them to arrive late summer.

- MTD shuttle: The seasonal MTD waterfront shuttle will run Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and operate on Chapala and Anacapa streets, the presenters said. Staff described the vehicle as an electric, smaller-scale bus rather than the historic open-air trolley.

- State Street Loop (golf-cart pilot): The city is contracting a pilot microtransit loop using three golf carts that will circulate State Street between the waterfront and Victoria Street, Thursday through Sunday, noon to 7 p.m., beginning May 29 and running through November. The service is a partnership with Friends of State Street and a local operator, Sweep Santa Barbara.

Accessibility and operational concerns
Committee members repeatedly pressed staff to ensure the pilots preserve an unobstructed path of travel. Harris and Sarah Clark, Public Works downtown team manager, described design intentions to keep an 8-foot clear route on pedlets and to provide ADA-compliant ramps at transitions.

Several committee members raised equity and capacity questions about the State Street Loop’s accessibility. One member noted the pilot’s configuration offers a single wheelchair space across three carts and said that configuration could force wheelchair users to wait up to 20 minutes or more for an accessible spot. \"One out of 18 seats is accessible,\" the member said, urging staff to reconsider the mix of accessible capacity.

Funding and fees
Committee members asked how the city would fund the pedlet pilot and whether sidewalk dining fees would decline. Harris said council approved funding for multiple pilots in April and staff reallocated Measure C funds from projects not coming online in the next year. Sarah Clark said outdoor dining license fees are lower than parklet fees because of the city’s reduced maintenance responsibility when dining is adjacent to a building rather than in the street, and staff will continue to evaluate fee calibration.

Next steps
Staff said they will monitor the pilots, refine curbside transitions and coordinate with businesses on furniture selection. The city will collect operational data and community feedback to inform long-term decisions for State Street’s master plan.","City planners described a package of short-term pilot projects for State Street — preapproved outdoor furniture, sidewalk-extending modular 'pedlets' on the 500 block, seasonal MTD shuttle service and a golf-cart 'State Street Loop' pilot — and answered accessibility and funding questions from the Access Advisory Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Accessibility advisory panel objects to proposed allowance of A-frame signs in parkways

ADA coordinator reports progress on ramps and transition-plan projects; Ty Warner pledge helps fund Dwight Murphy park

Film festival presents new theater ramp design; committee presses for emergency egress and audio description

City staff outline State Street pilot projects including 500-block 'pedlets' and a golf-cart loop