Bring Back Curb Extensions

The Santa Barbara Group of the Los Padres Sierra Club supports the improvements on the public right-of-way as outlined in the Chapala Street Design Guidelines. We firmly believe that this plan will greatly enhance pedestrian usage, safety, and experience while reducing automobile traffic, noise, and pollution, as already accomplished at De La Guerra, Ortega, and Gutierrez – the three intersections previously improved.

Transforming pavement into planters with canopy trees increases soil permeability, provides shade and encourages people to walk, thus reducing automobile use. The Chapala Street Design Guidelines are consistent with Sierra Club policy on transportation which supports making urban environments more suitable and attractive for pedestrians and other users.

The Santa Barbara Group of the Sierra Club respectfully urges the City Council to reconsider its recent decision to eliminate curb extensions from lower Chapala Street and that it work diligently to implement the public improvements described in this plan.