Staff Report
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, will hold a community meeting on a new study that will determine how the region will meet the demands of increasing traffic in the Santa Ynez Valley.
The meeting will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Hotel Corque, Harvest B Room, 400 Alisal Road, Solvang.
The region’s state highway network is experiencing increasing local and regional trips amid growing tourism and commuter use. In addition to population centers of Buellton and Solvang and the unincorporated towns of Santa Ynez, Ballard and Los Olivos, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and its resort casino.
The state highways also serve as “Main Street” for several of these communities.
The new Traffic Circulation and Safety Study will identify and prioritize improvements that can accommodate future traffic increases, improve safety and ensure connections among various modes of transportation.
A Bicycle Master Plan, to be developed separately, will be coordinated with the overall traffic plan, which is intended to provide a better quality of life for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, residents and businesses in the Santa Ynez Valley.
The public’s participation is critical for effectively planning for the future of transportation. The Sept. 11 meeting is the first opportunity to learn details about the study and provide input. Community members are urged to attend. Parking is available at the hotel.
Those interested in attending or would like more information can contact Katherine Padilla-Otanez, community relations consultant at kpadilla@katherinepadilla.com.
