Volunteers Needed to Support Informed Decisions on State Street Master Plan and RSO!

Volunteers are urgently needed to help Santa Barbara residents make informed decisions about the City of Santa Barbara’s State Street Master Plan and Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). 

As residents are approached across the City and asked to sign petitions that could put these items to a referendum vote, it's important that they have access to clear and accurate information about these measures. 

Help ensure residents the facts they need to understand what's at stake by volunteering to give accurate information at petition-gathering locations.

To volunteer, email [email protected].

Santa Barbara's West Beach: What's Next?

This Thursday on October 15, the City of Santa Barbara's Harbor Commission will discuss the future of West Beach’s former wading pool next to Los Baños Pool. See the flyers below created by Eva Pagaling, Board President of Oceans Origins.

The wading pool has been closed since 2018 and Santa Barbara residents have an opportunity to turn this space into a meaningful community destination. 

Do you have a vision for this space that can celebrate local heritage, welcomes families, and respects the surrounding environment and wildlife?

How to submit public comment:

In Person: Fill out a "Request to Speak" form for agenda #2 at the meeting and submit the speaker slip to the Waterfront staff. You will have 2 minutes to share your thoughts.

Via Zoom: Use this zoom link. Click the "Raise Hand" icon when public comment opens. You can access the agenda using this link.

Written Comment: Email your written comment prior to the meeting start time (BEFORE 6:30 PM) to Waterfront staff Niko Lopez at [email protected]. 

SBCAN October Roundtable - October 30

Clean Energy Economy: Discussing Renewable Energy and Labor

Join us for a Roundtable on Friday, October 30 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM via Zoom moderated by SBCAN South County Director Murray Dawson. 

Representatives from the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) will share information on renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and nuclear energy.

Researcher and academic Paasha Mahdavi will provide us with an overview on the evolving energy economy of the future. 

Together, we’ll explore where our energy future is headed and what changes that could bring for local workers communities across Santa Barbara County.

Photo Credit: Courtesy County of Santa Barbara 

Register for the zoom meeting in advance using this link.

Help Our County and City Housing Authorities!

We need your help. The City and County Housing Authorities are asking community members to complete a short rental market survey.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, uses Fair Market Rents to determine how much rental assistance a household can receive. Current limits are lower than many local rents, making it difficult for people with assistance to find a home. Your responses will help us ask HUD to reevaluate those limits using actual rents from our community.

Who should respond? Renters and rental property owners or managers throughout Santa Barbara County.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and asks what you pay in rent or what you charge.

Please complete it by November 29, 2026, using this link or scan the QR code below:
https://ucsb.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOzflLp0UQP8VKK.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Winners will be contacted by phone or email.

Your privacy is protected. Responses are confidential and will be used only for research. You may stop at any time. 

Link to registration.	Enlace de registro.

Calling all Eastside SB residents!

During the City of Santa Barbara's budget cycle, District 1 Councilmember Wendy Santamaria secured $600,000–$1,000,000 in new investments for the Eastside.

Before the City spends a dollar, the Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) and the Milpas Eastside Business Association (MEBA) are partnering with Councilmember Santamaria to hear directly from Eastside residents about what our community needs most.

Your input will help determine how these funds are invested and shape the future of our Eastside—from safer streets and stronger infrastructure to economic development and other community priorities.

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share it with your friends, neighbors, and fellow Eastside residents. Together, we can make sure Eastside residents help decide where these funds will make the biggest difference.

Information from the Air Pollution Control District Santa Barbara County

Thank you to a longtime SBCAN supporter for sharing this news with our staff. Please see the following information from the Air Pollution Control District: 

Lompoc Gas Station annual throughput increase at 1100 E. Ocean Avenue:

GBFUIN, Inc. has applied to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) for a permit to increase annual gasoline throughput from 2,400,000 gallons to 3,000,000 gallons at a gas station located at 1100 E. Ocean Avenue in Lompoc. The project site is within 1,000 feet of the property boundary of Hapgood Elementary School, located at 324 S. A Street in Lompoc.

As part of the District’s evaluation of this proposed project, we have assessed the potential health risk created by the project’s emissions. Our analysis, which is conservatively health protective, shows that the expected emissions due to the throughput increase at this station will be below any levels that would create a significant air toxic risk to public health and the environment.

We are providing you an opportunity to review and comment on this proposed permitting action. Further, prior to issuing the final permit, we will submit to the permit’s administrative file our written responses to any comments we receive during the comment period.

A copy of the draft permit document (ATC/PTO 16406) is available for review on the District website.