April 14, 2007

 

Mayor Marty Blum

Santa Barbara City Council

City Hall

735 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California 93101

 

Subject:  Case #MST 2006-00340 St. Francis Neighborhood Traffic Management Program; Appeal of Architectural Board of Review (ABR) Landscape Plan for Garden/Islay Traffic Control Balloon

 

Dear Mayor Blum and Honorable Members of the City Council:

 

The Upper East Association (UEA) promotes the continued maintenance of the high standards of living and structural improvements generally characteristic of the Upper East area in matters of zoning, density, policing, roadways, utilities, traffic safety, fire protection and land use.   Therefore we are appealing the ABR’s approval of a 14 foot-wide landscaped median in the center of Garden Street which would appear to conflict with the location of an existing fire hydrant on the west side of Garden at Islay Street.  Please confer with the fire department regarding our concern. 

 

During the course of reviewing proposed landscape plans at their February 5, 2007 hearing, several ABR members expressed concern regarding planting trees within traffic circles.  The UEA is also concerned with the proposal to plant two Queen Palms within the traffic balloon located just north of the intersection of Garden/Islay Streets.  Therefore, we request that the landscape plan for the Garden/Islay traffic control device be referred back to the ABR for reconsideration.   It is important that the City transportation division maintain the landscaping proposed to ensure that the 12 shrubs and two trees would not encroach into traffic lanes that are only eleven feet wide (11’) from edge of street curb. 

 

Please consider how this plan affects bicyclists.  The traffic balloon and bulbs direct a bicyclist into vehicle lanes.  Cars move towards the curb to avoid the existing traffic balloon while bicyclists have to maneuver into car lanes to go around the bulb.  Should an accident at this intersection occur, we request that the City Police and Transportation Division promptly report back to you for reevaluation of the necessity of this traffic control device.    

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Knox Burns

Upper East Association (interim president)

2319 Garden Street

Santa Barbara 93105