Allied Neighborhoods Association
Questionnaire about the Future of the
City of Santa Barbara

The City is about to update the General Plan and Allied Neighborhoods Organization is going to participate in the process as an advocate for neighborhoods.

A strong General Plan should provide the basic policy to guide the City on major land development proposals. An inadequate General Plan could perpetuate a process whereby such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, by City officials or agencies using criteria that may not reflect a community-wide consensus. A fundamental question looms since there appear to be two major potentially conflicting community goals: preserving the wonderful character and quality of life in our community and living within our resources, and providing an “adequate” supply of affordable housing. As part of this new General Plan process, the community must reconcile and balance these goals. The purpose of this questionnaire is to gauge community sentiment on some related key issues such as this that the General Plan update should be addressing.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE:

  1. Select all the text on this page. Depending on which browser you use, just pressing Ctrl+a or using the menu Edit + Select All might do the trick. You might have to click somewhere in the text first.
  2. Copy the text to the clipboard. Pressing Ctrl+c or using the menu Edit + Copy might do it.
  3. Start an email to "alliedreply@hotmail.com". You can use your usual email program or just click here.
  4. In the email, scroll down and answer the questions. Answer by typing an “X” or a number, whichever the question calls for, between the parentheses “( )”. One question (#6) calls for a description, so just type your answer in the area provided.

REPLY BY: Please submit your completed reply by the May 31, 2007.

Thank you for your participation!

  1. What is your age bracket?
  2. What area of town do you live in? (Select and indicate all that apply to you.)
  3. Do you own or rent?
  4. What percentage of shopping would you estimate that you do outside of the City of Santa Barbara?
  5. When driving in town with a City destination do you often use the freeway, or do you try to avoid the freeway and use primarily local streets?
  6. Which specific intersections do you try to avoid?

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  7. In getting around town, instead of driving do you often opt to walk, bike or take public transportation?
  8. If you answered Yes to #7, indicate by ranking by number the means of transportation used most and least, (with 1 being the most, 3 the least.) [Skip this question if you answered “No” to #7.]
  9. How important do you consider the issue of City growth in the new City General Plan. (Rate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the most important issue.) ( )

  10. If you think an increase in population would have a negative effect, rate each of the following in order of impact. (Rate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 having the greatest impact,10 the least)
  11. Do you think a community should, through regulatory measures supported by the majority of its citizens, seek to limit the population?
  12. Of the following, which one would you rate as your highest priority concern:
  13. Our City has building height limitations: a maximum of 30 feet for residential single family/duplex; 45 feet for multi-family residential, hotel, motel and office; and 60 feet for industrial/commercial. To preserve Santa Barbara’s character do you support the continuation of these regulations?
  14. Would you consider even more restrictive height regulations of commercial buildings?
  15. Which one of the following is more important to you:
  16. Do you support some restrictions on a property owner’s ability to make modifications to his property in order to preserve the historic character of certain buildings?
  17. Do you support City subsidies to promote an increase in “affordable” housing (other than for very low-income housing)?
  18. Are you aware, generally, of the City’s current programs regarding affordable housing?
  19. Who would you prefer to make the final decisions on fundamental planning policies, including City growth questions, that affect the future of our City? (Rank in order, with 1 being your highest preference, 5 your lowest.)
  20. Since the General Plan will establish policies for future land decisions in the City, would you support a moratorium on zone changes, such as increases in density allowances, pending completion of the new Plan?
  21. What policies would you want to see adopted that might address your main concerns? (Rate each of the following on a scale of 1-10, with 1 as your highest priority, 10 your lowest.)
  22. How do you perceive an increase in building as affecting your enjoyment of living here?
  23. How do you perceive an increase in population as affecting your enjoyment of living here?
  24. If you perceive an increase in the size of buildings as having an undesirable effect, rank each of the following potential effects on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being most undesirable effect and 10 the least.) [Skip this question if building size is not a concern to you.]
  25. Thirteen percent (13%) of Santa Barbara’s housing stock is currently in an affordable program. Do you believe that housing programs being promoted by the City can succeed in providing a significant additional amount of affordable housing for the City’s needs?
  26. Do you believe that development of high-density housing, built in proximity to public transportation, can succeed in reducing the traffic congestion?
  27. Do you think that the City can affect or influence the supply of housing to the point where there will be a sufficient supply for everyone who wants to live here?