The City of Santa Barbara is proud to announce the adoption of a new Citywide Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen City operations, improve services, and deliver results that reflect the priorities and values of our community.
Approved by the City Council on December 16, 2025, this Strategic Plan sets a clear direction for the next three years, focusing on organizational excellence, community engagement, and measurable outcomes.
Developed through extensive collaboration with City staff, elected officials, and community members, the plan represents a shared vision for a more connected, accountable, and service-driven City government.
Key Strategic Priorities Include:
- Stimulate Economic and Community Vitality – Advance the State Street Master Plan, support local businesses, and enhance neighborhood placemaking.
- Enhance Community Resiliency and Safety – Invest in climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and public safety services.
- Strengthen Housing and Community Services – Increase housing affordability, promote tenant protections, and expand services for vulnerable populations.
- Ensure a Thriving City Organization – Foster a strong organizational culture, attract and retain talent, and maintain financial stability.
“This Strategic Plan is more than a document—it’s a commitment to our community,” said City Administrator Kelly McAdoo. “Our community asked for a government that is more responsive, transparent, and focused on outcomes. This plan aligns our resources with the priorities that matter most to the City Council and our community — economic vitality, community safety, housing, and organizational excellence — so we can deliver real results for the people of Santa Barbara.”
The City will provide regular progress updates to the Council and the public, ensuring transparency and accountability as initiatives move forward.
Residents are encouraged to review the full Strategic Plan and First-Year Work Plan, now available at Citywide Strategic Plan (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/StrategicPlan).
Also Read
- Padilla Joins Kelly, Durbin, and Immigration Advocates to Speak on Why Threats to DACA, Dreamers Make Case for Legislative Fix
- Construction Begins on Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project Pipeline and Advanced Water Purification Facility
- Carbajal Backs Legislation to End Iran War Spending
- May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
- Phishing Scam Alert – County of Santa Barbara Planning & Development
Sounds like a plan, who’s gonna do this? hire some more city officials 400,000 bucks a whack
PROTECT EL CAMINO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Hazardous Developments Are Putting Children at Risk
Three Contaminated Development Sites Now Surround the School
San Marcos Ranch 125 South San Marcos Road & 4960 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA – GeoTracker ID T10000023117
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T10000023117
Tatum Multifamily Housing 4750 Hollister Avenue -requested only a LImited Soil Assessment Part owned by the Santa Barbara High School District – GeoTracker ID T10000023684
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T10000023684
Montessori Site 5050- 5052 Hollister Avenue – DTSC Global ID 60001030
GeoTracker Profile https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T10000008358 EnviroStor Profile https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/profile_report.asp?global_id=60001030
These projects form a ring of hazardous sites around El Camino Elementary — with documented pesticide contamination, agricultural history, imported toxic fill soils, and incomplete environmental testing.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Children at El Camino Elementary Are Being Exposed to:
Soil contamination from legacy pesticides (DDT, DDE, DDD, Lindane, chlordane), along with lead & arsenic
Air pollution from diesel, dust, and Highway 101 emissions
Traffic congestion form 5000 added cars, Hollister Avenue is already congested adding more cars makes emergency evacuation from natural disasters impossible
Destruction of 412 mature native trees, an entire Oak Woodland, removing natural filtration and exposing classrooms to freeway pollutants
Water contamination risks from runoff and groundwater impacts
Cumulative exposure from multiple hazardous sites at once at school and at home 24/7
DTSC’S OWN STUDY SHOWS THE DANGER
DTSC Residential Pesticide Study (2006) Findings:
Chlordane detected in 98% of samples
DDT detected in 95% of samples
50% of detections exceeded cancer‑risk thresholds
2% exceeded levels considered unacceptable for children
DTSC recommends routine pesticide sampling at all residential/agricultural sites near schools.
None of these projects meet that standard.
EDUCATION CODE § 17213 IS BEING VIOLATED
School districts have a continuing legal duty to investigate and mitigate hazardous conditions at or adjacent to school sites — independent of CEQA.
Yet agencies and consultants relied on:
Outdated sampling from 2002–2003
Limited soil tests (Padre 2020, Padre 2025)
Visual inspections instead of real testing (Krazan 2025)
Approvals without comprehensive pesticide sampling
This violates both DTSC protections and Education Code § 17213.
PATTERN OF FAILURE ACROSS ALL PROJECTS
Across consultant reports and agency letters —
Padre (2020 & 2025), Krazan (2025), County Health (Feb & May 2025), Montessori (2025) —
a consistent pattern emerges:
Reliance on limited or outdated sampling
Dismissal of pesticide detections
Approval of redevelopment without comprehensive testing
This undermines public health protections and exposes children to hazardous conditions.
PUBLIC HEALTH MISSION IS NOT BEING UPHELD
Santa Barbara County Public Health’s own mission and vision require:
Preventing disease
Promoting wellness
Maintaining a safe and healthy environment
Approving these projects without full EIRs violates those commitments.
COMMUNITY DEMANDS
We call for immediate action:
Full Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for San Marcos Ranch, Tatum, and Montessori
Suspension of all development activity until EIRs are completed
Transparent communication with parents, teachers, and residents
A public hearing by January 31, 2026
Formal acknowledgment from CalEPA, DTSC, GUSD, SBUSD, and County Health that they will protect children with full EIRs
OUR CHILDREN DESERVE A SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Healthy People • Healthy Community • Healthy Environment
Join us. Speak up. Protect El Camino Elementary. They are Prioritizing Money over Children, and Families. Building Housing on Hazardous Waste Sites.
The Board of Supervisors Approve Affordability Covenant for 236-Unit San Marcos Ranch Project , what they fail to tell you, it’s on a Hazardous waste site with NO Environmental Impact Reports. Prioritizing money over peoples health https://www.noozhawk.com/supervisors-approve-affordability-covenant-for-236-unit-san-marcos-ranch-project/
It’s comforting that mentally unstable people from Ventura, who believe everything an AI chatbot barfs out, have a concern for our welfare.
You can attack if you want, but it doesn’t address the environmental records or the public documents. Let’s stay focused on the real impacts on the community.”
I’m quoting County staff and state regulatory records. You’re quoting your imagination. I’ll stick with the documented facts.