October 2: The City Council has balked at entering into an agreement with the South Coast Chamber of Commerce. The deal would have had the chamber sending a representative to Carpinteria once a week to work on helping local businesses with outreach. But the price tag was $30,000 for a year, and the council vote was 2-2, which means it was defeated. Councilmember Monica Solorzano recused herself before the vote because she said she is receiving support from the Chamber in her re-election campaign.
October 1: The proposal to install a series of historical murals at the Seal Fountain on Linden Avenue has been withdrawn by the applicant. Coastal View News reports that at this week’s City Council meeting, the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation announced it was withdrawing the proposal because it objects to changing the panel artwork. Public comment brought concerns that some of the panels displayed stereotypes and simplified portrayals of local history. A CCF spokesman says they’ll look elsewhere to be able to put up the artwork as-is.
Sept. 29: Noozhawk reports the project to renovate the community swimming pool has received a lifeline from the state of California. The city has announced a funding package of $4.4 million $3.3 million of which will be used to upgrade the pool. The other million dollars will go for improvements to the Community Library. State Senator Monique Limon is credited with securing the funding for both. Supporters had set up a gofundme page for the pool repairs, but that reportedly has been taken down now, with the money collected to be used for future pool maintenance.
October 5: The Carpinteria Planning Commission has voted to approve the Surfliner Inn project on a 3-1 vote. The action includes certifying the Environmental Impact Report that was done earlier this year. The project has been more than a decade in the making and has caused for deep divisions among Carpinterians, with some feeling it will spoil the city’s small-town charm and others saying it will help some downtown businesses and benefit the city’s bottom line. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Jane Benefield. The project now goes on to the City Council for a final vote.
October 6: ICE agents fanned out across Santa Maria and Guadalupe yesterday, kidnapping 17 people. The immigration raids and arrests have continued unabated in Santa Barbara County this year, thanks in part to lax enforcement rules by the county Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Bill Brown has come under fire for refusing to provide meaningful help when citizens are accosted by ICE agents.
ELECTIONS: In District 1, incumbent Monica Solorzano is running for re-election against Aja Forner. 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: Legal cannabis has brought in more than $8 billion since 2018. It 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 Surfliner Inn is under consideration by the Planning Commission. The controversial proposed hotel would effectively eliminate parking lot #3 to build a boutique hotel next to the railroad tracks. A decision from the Commission has been put off until October 5. 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. 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 169-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 T-Mobile Service Center at Casitas Pass Shopping Center reportedly has closed. The new restaurant at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue will be called Rincon General Bodega and Wine Bar. Siteline SB reports they are looking to open by the end of the year. Clementine’s Steakhouse will have its final dinner serving October 4. The future of the building is unclear. 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 store on Chapala Street downtown. Ojai Rotie continues preparing for its opening later this year. There are now signs out front that say “Opening ASAP!”
Ongoing: Registration for fall workshops. 865 Linden Avenue, call 805-684-7789.
Ongoing: Improv, Tuesdays 7pm, $10 at the door.
Kimberly Ford, tribute to Joni Mitchell Oct. 10 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.
October 7: Beau James Wilding, Corktree Cellars 6pm
October 10: Kimberly Ford, Alcazar Theatre 7pm