SB Airport

Recently, the SB City Council concurred with the revised project site plan for the Airline Terminal Improvement Project.

What hasn't been reported on, thus far, was the significant concern that Das, along with Council Members Helene Schneider and Brian Barnwell have vocalized concerning the new terminal's solar energy potential and north-south orientation rather than the more solar-friendly NE-SW orientation.



( Image courtesy of www.postcardpost.com )



BACKGROUND

"The Aviation Facilities Plan adopted by City Council in 2001 included a number of significant changes to the Airline Terminal to address serious deficiencies in the existing facility and to meet forecasted passenger demand. The Airport Department has begun planning for construction of a new Airline Terminal facility measuring approximately 67,000 square feet, consistent with the recommendations of the Aviation Facilities Plan.

"In December 2005, the City Council approved the Airline Terminal Project Criteria Document to guide development of the Terminal design. This document defines the program requirements and establishes design criteria for all facilities needed to accommodate the forecast airline passenger demand in the year 2010. It represents roughly, a 5-10% level of design. The document also provides direction to the design team as they develop the detailed design and construction documents within the established project budget and schedule..."

The Council has concurred with the revised site plan, with the understanding that a number of concerns will be addressed as the process moves forward, including increased use of solar energy and angle of the buildings to the sun. The schematic design will be completed by early 2007.

Current proposed terminal design:

Proposed Terminal Design

Veronica Meadows Flip-Flop

[ Excerpt from SB INDEPENDENT article by Nick Welsh, October 5, 2006 ]

City Flip-Flops on Veronica Meadows Development


The Santa Barbara City Council executed a drastic about-face Tuesday night, voting in concept to allow developer Mark Lee to build up to 26 units on vacant land running along Las Positas Road across from Elings Park, rather than the 15 units the councilmembers had insisted upon this March. This dramatic change of heart was inspired by the turnout of many Alan Road residents — about 27 — who opposed Lee’s proposed entrance right up their street.

Lee had initially won the hearts and minds of Alan Road residents by promising to leave them alone and build a new entrance bridge across Las Positas Creek into his Veronica Meadows development. But in March, the council voted to reject the bridge entrance because environmentalists argued the bridge footings would impede the travel of critters along the creek. But when Lee returned to the council with what they had said they wanted — a smaller project going through Alan Road — five councilmembers concluded that they didn’t really like it that much. In fact, they said they liked Lee’s previous proposal — with its more ambitious creek restoration plans and traffic improvements — much better.

Only Councilmembers Das Williams and Helene Schneider held out, arguing that both of Lee’s proposals were just too big. Lee, who has expressed much pain and anguish during his many years in the city’s review process, actually wound up with a few more units than the 23 he proposed earlier this year. That’s because Mayor Marty Blum and Councilmember Grant House said they wanted to see a few affordable units. At one point, Lee had offered to include two middle-income duplexes.





(Das at Veronica Meadows during more hopeful times)


The Santa Barbara Independent :: news :: City Flip-Flops on Veronica Meadows Development