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Council keeps State Street promenade intact, directing staff to refine operations while master plan is finalized
Summary
After hours of public comment for and against returning cars to State Street, the council directed staff to maintain the promenade configuration and return with implementation details; the motion passed 5–2 amid calls to address ebike safety, accessibility and interim operations.
The Santa Barbara City Council voted on June 30 to maintain the State Street promenade and asked staff to return with operational details and a reauthorization of Title 31 as the master plan is finalized.
Tess Harris, the city’s State Street master planner, briefed council on the nearly complete master plan and the city’s bridge‑phase work: pilot projects (planter modifications on the 1200 block, expanded sidewalk/pedlet installations on the 500 block), transit pilots, temporary public art and enhanced programming. Staff emphasized the difference between the interim pilots and the final street design envisioned by the master plan, noting the plan reserves a 20‑foot emergency/travel lane down the middle but anticipates a very different, people‑first public realm once construction occurs.
Public comment lasted for hours and split the community: business owners clustered further up the corridor urged reopening to improve visibility and access; resident advocates, arts groups and many tourists and shoppers urged retaining the car‑free promenade. Several commenters urged immediate action to curb reckless e‑bike riding and to boost accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities.
Council discussion focused on three questions: whether to let Title 31 expire, whether to reauthorize it, and whether to keep or pause bridge‑phase pilots while the master plan is adopted. After deliberation council adopted a motion directing staff to maintain the State Street promenade and to return with a reauthorization approach and implementation details — a measure that passed 5–2.
Quotes from the meeting capture the split: Tess Harris argued staff should “hold the street steady while the long‑term plan is written and finalized.” Lonnie Baldston, speaking for business opponents of the closure, said the promenade had “sealed in and dying” businesses further up the corridor and urged reopening. Robin Elander of the downtown business improvement association urged collaboration: “This tug‑of‑war needs to stop. We must channel that passion into a robust management and operations plan.”
What’s next: Staff will return with a Title 31 reauthorization ordinance and costed options for interim improvements, accessibility and transit enhancements tied to the bridge phase and will seek council direction on ebike enforcement, HLC review roles and funding options for pilot projects. Council asked for a finance and implementation timeline to be added to the final plan.
Why it matters: State Street is the city’s principal downtown corridor. The council’s decision preserves the pedestrian‑centered promenade for the short term while assigning staff to solve urgent operational problems (ebike safety, ADA access, transit/loop enhancements, and interim management), and to translate the master plan into funded construction steps.
Speakers quoted (selected): Tess Harris (State Street master planner), Robin Elander (Downtown SB Improvement Assn.), Lonnie Baldston (public commenter/business owner).
Actions: Council directed staff to maintain the State Street promenade and return with a Title 31 reauthorization and implementation details; motion passed (5–2).
