Residents warn single-exit Redtail proposal risks evacuations and parking gridlock

Dozens of residents from Casitas Village, Villa Del Mar and surrounding neighborhoods told the Carpinteria City Council on Aug. 24 that the proposed Redtail housing development at the end of Baylard Avenue would create serious safety and parking problems.

"It is only — it has only one fire exit via Baylard, which would also be used by all the residents of Villa Del Mar as well as the 280 units at Casitas Village," said Betty Jeppesen, a long-time resident, during public comment. She urged the city to press the county and the developer for safer access and adequate parking.

Other speakers described repeated evacuation difficulties during past wildfires, and detailed concerns about insufficient on-site parking. James Nichols cited the project's traffic assessment and said the plan calls for 196 units but only 297 parking spaces — about 1.5 spaces per unit — "which is grossly inadequate," he said, noting that neighboring complexes average two spaces per unit.

Tristan Rayner, a Casitas Village resident, urged independent review of developer-funded safety studies, saying tenants rely on reliable evacuation routes and that his community has not received promised outreach. "We were told there would be town meetings and information given — none of that has happened," he said.

Supervisor Daisy (first district supervisor) told the council the application filed with the county was deemed incomplete and that many approvals fall under county jurisdiction. She said the city will post links to county pages and relevant studies on the city website and confirmed city and county staff will meet on Sept. 17 to discuss impact-fee sharing and other coordination.

"We heard a lot about access and emergency access," Daisy said, acknowledging residents' concerns and promising to publish frequently asked questions and the architecture, traffic, and evacuation studies on the city site as available.

Council members suggested a town hall with the county supervisor and the developer and asked staff to provide a clear summary of what elements the city may control (primarily ingress/egress permits, utility tie-ins and an easement request) and what remains within county authority. City staff said Redtail will need limited city permits for access and utility work and ultimately must request an easement for vehicular access through city streets.

No formal action was taken at the council meeting. The issue remains with the county; council members said they would continue to press for clearer studies, community meetings and a transparent schedule.