Council limits red curb plan to reduce loss of parking at Santa Barbara Humane campus; net loss of four on‑street spaces approved

The Goleta City Council on Sept. 16 adopted a resolution to establish no-parking zones on Overpass Road adjacent to the Santa Barbara Humane campus (5399 Overpass Rd.) and to remove a portion of an existing no-parking zone north of Sumida Gardens Lane. The changes are intended to preserve sight distance for emergency responders exiting the facility’s driveways.

Public works staff described engineering and sight-distance analysis that guided the recommendation. The original plans reviewed during the project approval would have required more red curb and the elimination of roughly 13 on-street spaces; after neighborhood input and additional engineering review staff reduced the affected area so the net on-street loss is four parking spaces (seven eliminated near the Humane campus, three added by removing a 55-foot strip of red curb elsewhere, net = minus four).

Public comment included neighbors and long-time shelter volunteers who said Overpass Road already experiences heavy use by volunteers, staff and the public and pressed for strong parking enforcement and mitigation. Supporters, including former county animal-services directors and representatives of local nonprofits that use the campus, told council the new facility and improved fire access are needed and urged continued enforcement to prevent long-term vehicle storage that reduces available parking.

County Fire provided written confirmation that the driveway design meets its apparatus access requirements; the fire marshal participated during the meeting and explained the new circulation layout requires safe apparatus ingress and egress and a clear area for staging. Public works staff explained the design basis: stopping sight-distance principles, AASHTO geometric guidance and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Councilmember discussion acknowledged the long public process dating to April and staff’s rework to reduce parking impacts. Staff said they had posted barricade notices and conducted 500-foot mail notices for the affected neighborhood. Council asked for continued parking enforcement; staff confirmed additional enforcement resources have been approved in the city budget.

The council adopted the resolution by roll call. Final vote was 5–0 in favor.

Council directed staff to implement the red-curb changes per the approved exhibit, to coordinate signage and to continue enforcement and community outreach. Staff said the changes will be implemented by public works following standard traffic control procedures.