Downtown Santa Barbara should be a vibrant mixed-used neighborhood where local workers, families, and visitors alike can enjoy a safe, welcoming, and inviting pedestrian-centered space that is accessible to all. I support the State Street Master Plan and will work closely with my Council colleagues to ensure we implement this investment in Downtown as quickly as we responsibly can.

The Master Plan’s infrastructure upgrades will support expanded transportation access and facilitate the housing we need to support local businesses. In the near-term, I believe we need an interim plan as we secure the funding needed for the Master Plan through grants and public-private partnerships.

Since being closed to general traffic, State Street went from the 3rd most dangerous street in Santa Barbara to off the list of the worst 80 streets for traffic injuries. Instead of ‘reopening,’ to cars, over the next few years we should expand community programming, address e-bike safety, support additional outdoor dining, and invest in a more frequent and accessible public-transportation service running from the Arlington to the Waterfront.

Housing costs are the root cause of Santa Barbara's affordability crisis. But there is no silver-bullet solution. We need an all-of-the-above policy approach that includes smart, sustainable growth, not skyscrapers or suburban sprawl.

If elected, one of my top priorities will be to secure dedicated funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. These dollars can be leveraged tenfold for permanent, 100% affordable units. We must also lead by example and repurpose underutilized City properties for workforce housing projects that honor our Downtown's historic character and bring new regular customers closer to local businesses.

We need to streamline permitting and city processes to build housing faster while maintaining the design standards that protect Santa Barbara's architectural and neighborhood character. Our zoning and land-use policies should prioritize mixed-use housing near transit and businesses and the "missing middle" multi-generational housing options families need. That includes making it easier and more affordable for families to build accessory dwelling units.

As the current Chair of the City's Transportation and Circulation Committee, I will be ready to address these issues on day one. A more walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly Santa Barbara isn't just an investment in our climate and quality of life, it's a public safety imperative.

The City needs to pursue a realistic path to Vision Zero, the City's commitment that nobody dies on our streets. The harsh truth is we will not reach our existing 2030 deadline if we continue with business as usual. We need dedicated funding within our Streets Budget to implement the key public safety projects and programs identified in the Safe Streets for All Plan, the Pedestrian Master Plan, the Bicycle Master Plan and the Safe Routes to School Program.

My priority is a connected network across our neighborhoods. We need to build the planned Modoc path extension and Cliff Drive transformation, secure grant funding for the Lower Eastside overcrossing and Castillo Undercrossing, and build safer crosswalks and bike lanes on streets like Upper State, Las Positas, and Calle Real, where the City’s own data shows people are getting hurt.

Maintaining our infrastructure is how we ensure long-term financial savings. One of the largest expenses in our infrastructure budget is pavement maintenance. Investing in cutting-edge traffic management technology and getting more cars off the road by making alternative modes of transportation a realistic option for more trips will not only provide congestion relief for drivers; it will lower our long-term maintenance obligations by slowing down the wear-and-tear on our roads.

That’s just one example where we will need to make up-front investments in order to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Investing in infrastructure upgrades such as those in the State Street Master Plan or those needed in Uptown near La Cumbre Plaza will be necessary in order to facilitate the construction of housing that will support economic development, generate more sales for local businesses and therefore grow City revenues over time.

Santa Barbara's character and economy are defined by our abundance of small local businesses. City Hall should treat them as assets, not adversaries. I will ensure the City Council addresses the needs of our local workers and entrepreneurs. Some of my policy ideas include:

• Address employer and employee needs by making childcare a priority in planning, land-use, and development decisions.

• Prioritize small businesses in City government by simplifying permitting processes, eliminating excessive fees and cutting red tape.

• Explore implementation of proven models from other California cities, such as Vacant to Vibrant, instant online permitting, and First Year Fee-Free for new businesses.

• Legalize neighborhood-serving businesses like corner stores, cafés, and bakeries in areas that lack walkable options.

• Partner with SBCC, UCSB, and other educational institutions to enhance local workforce and economic development.

• Support the formation of business improvement districts, enhanced infrastructure financing districts, and other innovative solutions to invest in key business corridors through public-private partnerships.

I support a smaller pedestrian promenade in the heart of downtown, but I do not believe the entire current closure should remain car free. On the upper blocks, I support restoring one way vehicle access alongside a protected bike lane. At the same time having wider sidewalks, landscaping, and safe pedestrian crossings. 

This would improve access and circulation while preserving space for walking and biking. We also as a city need to provide clean, accessible public restrooms with better lighting, consistent maintenance, and flexible public spaces for events and community gatherings. My goal is a State Street that is active, safe, beautiful, accessible to residents, visitors and local businesses, while being responsible with our tax dollars.

I would streamline the approval process for projects that meet clear standards, reduce unnecessary delays and make it easier to convert underused commercial buildings into housing. Downtown is an appropriate place for additional housing because residents benefit by living close to jobs, transit, shopping and services. 

I support ADU’s, small scale infill and thoughtfully designed housing that allows easy access to transportation services while protecting established neighborhoods from poorly planned development. At La Cumbre Plaza I want the city to work closely with developers to create a complete mixed use neighborhood with affordable homes, public open space and child care space. We should prioritize homes that local workers can afford, pursue state and federal funding and preserve existing affordable housing.

I want to see connected and protected bike routes, safer intersections, repaired sidewalks, better lighting, visible crosswalks and accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. For the upper State Street sections I would like to see a separated bike & shuttle lane as part of restoring one way vehicle access. 

The city should close gaps in the bicycle network so riders are not suddenly pushed into unsafe traffic conditions. We should also improve bus stops with shelters, seating, lighting, and safer pedestrian connections. Decisions should be guided by hard data, neighborhood input as well as the needs of the people who rely on walking, biking, and public transportation every day.

The city should first understand the condition and future cost of every major public asset, then use a transparent multiyear capital plan to prioritize the most urgent work. We must also focus on rebuilding financial reserves, controlling unnecessary spending, pursue outside funding and consider the full cost before approving new projects. My accounting and finance background has taught me that delaying basic maintenance often creates much larger costs later. 

Investments in water and sewer systems, streets, sidewalks, storm drainage, public safety facilities and clean public restrooms are worth making because residents rely on them every day and the city benefits from residents spending more time enjoying the city. I would bring a fiduciary mindset to city Hall by treating public funds carefully, measuring results and making decisions in the best interests of Santa Barbara residents.

I would make City Hall easier for small businesses to navigate by simplifying the permit process, establishing clear timelines and provide a single point of contact for applicants. The city should regularly meet with local business owners before making decisions that affect access, parking, deliveries, construction or customer traffic. 

Downtown construction should be carefully phased so businesses remain visible and accessible. We should improve cleanliness and lighting in public spaces. We also need to support events that bring residents downtown throughout the year. A strong and healthy economy depends on supporting our independent businesses, the arts and new local entrepreneurs.