The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board granted final approval Oct. 16 to the Franklin Creek Trail Improvement Project, a multiuse path along Franklin Creek between Carpinteria Avenue and Seventh Street, with a single condition that a replacement sycamore at Carpinteria Avenue be installed as a 36-inch box.

The project, previously reviewed by the ARB in April and approved by the Planning Commission on July 7, replaces an informal maintenance path with a formal, grant-funded multiuse trail. City staff presented final plans showing changes made in response to ARB and Planning Commission comments, including a switch to permeable concrete for the trail surface, removal of fabric or slats from fencing, a shift to native trees in the plant palette, and bilingual interpretive signage along the route.

City planner Cindy summarized the revisions and said the Planning Commission had added a condition to work with Santa Barbara County Flood Control to plant a native tree to replace one eucalyptus removed as part of the project. Amelia Snyder of RRM Design Group, the landscape designer on the project, confirmed the updated native plant palette. The ARB asked for confirmation about night-safe lighting and clarified the fence and drainage coordination with an adjacent mixed-use project on Carpinteria Avenue.

During board discussion, members praised the design changes. Board cochair Joe O'Connor moved to approve final plans with the single caveat that the replacement tree be upsized to a 36-inch box; a second was made and the motion carried. Staff confirmed the final plan would continue coordination with the adjacent mixed-use project on drainage and with county flood control on the replacement tree planting.

The approved elements include: the permeable concrete trail surface; the updated native plant palette (including western redbud, California sycamore and coast live oak); removal of fabric from chain-link fencing; bilingual interpretive signage; and night-sky-friendly exterior fixtures. Installation will proceed under the Planning Commission approval and the ARB's final design sign-off.

City staff said remaining items for construction and permitting include final photometrics for lighting, construction-level coordination of drainage with the adjacent Clinton mixed-use project, and confirmation of planting details with Santa Barbara County Flood Control. The board did not add other conditions beyond the tree upsizing.