Sept. 9: Coastal View News is out with a sweeping overview of the controversial Surfliner Inn project. The most recent edition features a two-page spread outlining the history and current status of the proposed boutique hotel next to the railroad tracks. The issue has sharply divided Carpinterians, some who feel the hotel would disrupt the town’s beach vibe, while supporters say it will give a boost to some downtown businesses. The city Planning Commission will consider the project at its meeting September 21.
Sept. 1: Dozens of people turned out for a town hall meeting August 31 that doubled as the regular City Council meeting. City Manager Michael Ramirez delivered a statement on how the city does business and where some improvement projects stand. He also explained the current budget deficit and proposals for eliminating it. Mayor Natalia Alarcon spoke in favor of ballot measure I, which would increase the local sales tax to nine and a quarter percent. City Council members and staff then took questions from the audience.
Sept. 4: Work is progressing on the new water purification facility on Sixth Street. Coastal View News reports workers have just completed a major operation to provide a solid foundation for the project, by mixing concrete with the soil where the facility will be built. The alternative was to drive large posts into the ground, with supervisors saying that would have caused much more noise and disruptions for people living near there.
Sept. 3: The poster for this year’s Avocado Festival has been unveiled. It depicts rows of avocado trees alongside the ocean, and it’ll be on t-shirts and other memorabilia. The festival takes place October 2-3-4 along Linden Avenue.
August 27: The city has started a campaign to raise $3.3 million for maintenance and upgrades for the community swimming pool on Carpinteria Avenue. Organizers are stressing that the money would be used for maintenance and bringing the pool up to date, not for a redesign. Residents, businesses and community organizations are being encouraged to chip in to raise the funds, about 374-thousand dollars’ worth having already been raised.
ELECTIONS: In District 1, incumbent Monica Solorzano faces Aja Forner in her re-election bid. District 5 has Alexandra VanAntwerp and Randy Corrasco competing to fill the seat being vacated by Al Clark. District 3 councilmember Julia Mayer is unopposed. Ballot measure “I” gives locals the chance to decide whether the city should impose an additional .25% sales tax. The city has mailed information about the measure to local voters.
CANNABIS: Cannabis is now Santa Barbara County’s second most profitable agricultural product behind strawberries. A local cannabis farm is challenging the County Board of Supervisors’ blanket denial of extensions for many local farms to install odor-control equipment. A new study suggests communities that ‘opt-out’ of legalized cannabis, are actually helping the black market. Despite being home to one of the most productive growing areas in the country, Carpinteria does not allow dispensaries or related cannabis businesses within its city limits. A small group of locals is continuing their campaign to try and have local cannabis farms closed down because they don’t like the smell.
HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT: The long-awaited renovation of the Palms Hotel is underway, with scaffolding and construction crews present on the property. The public comment period is now open for the Farm Project, a large group of luxury homes proposed for The Bluffs. Opponents have contracted with the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara to fight the project. A separate project involves the proposed conversion of two vacant business park buildings at the Bluffs to worker and affordable housing. That proposal is still under consideration. The Surfliner Inn will be considered by the Planning Commission September 21. The controversial proposed hotel would effectively eliminate parking lot #3 to build a boutique hotel next to the railroad tracks. A proposed 18-story apartment building in the middle of the city has met with stiff opposition from locals. The developers have filed a lawsuit against the landowners and the city for allegedly taking too long to process their applications. Locals lined up to voice strong opposition to Red Tail Multifamily Housing Project at the City Council’s meeting August 24. Developers want to build a 192-unit complex just past the city limits off Bailard Avenue.
OCEAN/OIL: Local beaches have been inundated with increased amounts of oil washing ashore. Authorities say it isn’t from renewed drilling and pumping operations by Sable Offhsore at Gaviota. Chevron continues decommissioning work at the old Venoco property in Carpinteria, most recently removing underground pipelines extending three miles out in the ocean. A barge is now working to cut up and remove sections of old pipeline. Up the coast, the battle over restarting the Plains All-American Pipeline continues, with Sable Offshore plowing ahead with the restart despite court rulings and warnings from the state Coastal Commission. Most recently the company gained federal oversight by way of a judge’s ruling, effectively wiping out past rulings and warnings.
BUSINESS WATCH: The Larder by Field & Forte has opened at Shepard Place Shops, filling the spot where The Food Liason used to be. The Apiary is expanding to Santa Barbara, with plans to open a new story on Chapala Street downtown. Ojai Rotie continues preparing for its opening later this year. There are now signs out front that say “Opening ASAP!” The nonprofit Carpinteria Ceramics Collective is coming to the corner of Linden and Carpinteria Avenues, where the soap and candle shop used to be. Rincon Designs has reopened at its old location on Linden Avenue. The store hosted a ribbon-cutting June 23. No word yet what the new restaurant at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue will be.
Ongoing: Registration for fall workshops. Sept. 19: Free Concert, Mestizo 6pm 865 Linden Avenue, call 805-684-7789.
Ongoing: Improv, Tuesdays 7pm, $10 at the door. Sept. 11-13: Movies, see website
Sept. 18-27: Play, “Gloria’s Old Haunt” 4916 Carpinteria Ave.
Tickets at thealcazar.org
Ongoing: Carpinteria Songwriters Circle Tues. 4pm Babies Are the Best, Wed. 9am. Conversational Spanish, Tues. 2pm. 5141 Carpinteria Ave., carpinterialibrary.org.
Sept. 11: Crescent City Connection, Corktree 6pm
Sept. 12: Roger McGuinn, Lobero Theatre 7:30pm
Sept. 13: Honeylane Duo, Corktree Cellars 6pm