Some would say design review is not important, just red tape that delays the realization of needed housing and should be eliminated.
I would say the opposite, that design review is essential and that we can’t afford to lose it.
Design review helps to expedite project approval through collaboration. Design review boards are made up of highly qualified professionals who serve for their expertise to help guide proposed projects to approval in ways that meet established community values.
Review and critique are essential to any design to identify adjustments that can not only reduce cost but also improve the design overall.
It is the skilled designers who recognize the value of review to improve the work and result in a project that can gain community support rather than cause opposition, resistance and delay.
Santa Barbara is known around the world as the American Riviera for its natural environment and beautiful design style.
Santa Barbara’s built environment has been realized, not by accident, but through a deliberate and collaborative process that includes skilled designers, design review boards and community working together.
Without design review, the essence of Santa Barbara could easily be lost.
Housing is important. So is stewardship, and we can do both. Let’s work to build the housing we need without losing what makes Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara.
Cassandra Ensberg FAIA
Santa Barbara
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As a former member of the California Coastal Conservancy appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, I applaud the Coastal Commission’s unanimous decision to oppose SpaceX’s plan to double launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base as reported in the Aug. 14 article, “Coastal Commission Votes Against Boost in SpaceX Launches, Citing Lack of Data.”
Not because it will actually stop anything, but because nothing says “California values” like treating a successful business, one that makes America great, as an invasive species.
The commission cited “lack of data,” which is bureaucrat-speak for “we don’t like it, but can’t say why.”
Of course, the environment matters. But in California, innovation is celebrated only until it threatens the fragile ecosystem, not of nature, but of government control.
At that point, it must be clipped and pruned until it stops growing, packs up and leaves California for good. Which, of course, is the goal of today’s left.
Peter Sadowski
Santa Barbara
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Regarding the Aug. 12 article, “Santa Barbara City Council OKs 90-Unit Milpas Street Housing Project,” I must ask: Why do constituents elect and pay representatives to protect our safety and lives?
After five hours, I heard not even one speaker in support of this Eastside project “as is” while some could support it IF it was reduced to respect the safety of existing residents — and the city did its part to ensure adequate road capacity, which it has reduced!
Mayor Randy Rowse failed us! With a 3-3 tie vote, as the only person representing every resident, he showed he’s an agent of The State, unwilling to represent the best interests of Santa Barbara. He joined state-complicit technocrats on the council, Mike Jordan, Eric Friedman and Meagan Harmon.
Courageously armed with facts, City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon took the lead for the 4,000 of us on Eucalyptus Hill and the Riviera, where both wildfire experience and a UC Santa Barbara study confirm we’re “funnel” residents dependent on Eastside streets Gutierrez, Cota and Carpinteria to escape, adding that these narrow streets are inadequate. The speed of the 2008 Tea Fire was 13 minutes from mountains to sea. We’re trapped!
The Eastside’s recently elected Councilwoman Wendy SantaMaria underscored Sneddon’s statements of fact. Councilman Oscar Gutierrez spoke for “we the people” — the underclass who get dumped on with nearly every undesirable city project. These three represented the greater good of community.
Denice Spangler Adams
Montecito
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Regarding the Aug. 13 article, “Wanted Man Surrenders After Lengthy Standoff in Santa Maria,” kudos to the Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies who patiently negotiated for more than three hours with a felon hiding in a house in Santa Maria before storming the house to arrest him.
I was impressed by the effort made to negotiate with him, which speaks well of their training.
Most important, we can be thankful that the incident did not end in bloodshed. Thank you for keeping our county safe.
Susan Shields
Santa Barbara
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Months ago, Noozhawk reported the mysterious death of UC Santa Barbara student Liz Hamel, who had fallen from a “breezeway” at a UCSB dorm.
Although a young man was known by UCSB police to have been with her earlier the night of her death, and although they knew his name, and though they knew where he lived, the police never revealed this information to the public or to the news media.
Why not?
Shouldn’t Noozhawk have actively sought to uncover the truth about Hamel’s death then, and shouldn’t it do so now?
Hamel’s parents and our community wait for answers.
William Smithers
Santa Barbara
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The intersection of Highway 1 and Santa Lucia Road north of Lompoc has seen many major injuries and fatal collisions in the last decade. Travelers wishing to go north must cross the busy roadway and then merge into the fast lane.
Traffic speed limits are 65 mph; however, many drivers routinely exceed this speed limit.
In addition, Vandenberg Space Force Base requires all truck traffic to use the Lompoc Gate (previously Pine Canyon Gate) to enter the base. Passenger vehicles may not access this gate between 7 a.m. and noon each day, which adds to the problem.
Caltrans created a rescue plan, but will the solution to this problem create another?
Trucks laden with freight will merge uphill into 65 mph southbound traffic; then encounter two traffic signals; pedestrian traffic, including children in two crosswalks; and then a hard 90-degree left turn to access the northbound Highway 1 entrance ramp.
This looks a lot like another problem in the making, but was there a good solution to this dangerous situation?
Ron Fink
Lompoc
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Several of the Aug. 8 letters to the editor have challenged the 101-year tradition of Old Spanish Days Fiesta here in Santa Barbara.
Personally, we made the most of events as a way of celebrating our community’s traditions and time with friends.
I wonder why folks have such a tough time simply enjoying a week of fun and community without finding fault? So many volunteers devote so many hours to make these events happen.
Nothing is perfect — but it sure is easy to be negative and “shoot from the cheap seats.” Let’s just celebrate together!
Kirk Greene
Santa Barbara
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In February 2025, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a 48.8% salary increase for themselves, raising their annual pay to $171,000.
At the same time, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers, who provide essential care for our community’s most vulnerable residents, still earn just $18.67 per hour.
This wage is below the living wage for Santa Barbara and gives caregivers the lowest real purchasing power of any neighboring county.
This wage gap is creating a crisis:
- More than 5,400 residents in Santa Barbara County rely on IHSS care.
- 33% of caregivers leave annually due to low wages.
- Thousands of care hours go unfilled, forcing residents into more expensive institutional care.
Raising IHSS wages to at least $22 an hour would not only provide fairness for these vital workers but would also make economic sense.
Institutional care costs the county approximately $120,000 per person, per year, while IHSS home care costs around $75,000.
Raising wages keeps caregivers in their jobs, reduces turnover and saves public money in the long run.
Mary Bouldin
Goleta
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Mail Calls
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