EVACUATION ORDERS have been issued for the following areas in Santa Barbara County:

➡️ Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas.

➡️ Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Drive down to parts of Ninos Drive, in the city of Santa Barbara.

➡️ All state campgrounds including Gaviota, Refugio, El Capitan and Carpinteria

This EVACUATION ORDER is effective as on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. and is due to an incoming storm arriving today, Feb. 3 and lasting through Tuesday, Feb. 5 with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows and landslides.

Please reference the interactive map at https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=414f62c92c5b4769a418fc62d30d2f7f to determine if your home/property is in the evacuation order area.

Carpinterians are encouraged to use our self-serve sandbag station at City Hall to help protect their homes and properties. The station is located in our Public Works yard at the back of the City Hall property, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. If sandbags are not available at City Hall, please visit Lower Manning Park at 449 San Ysidro Road in Montecito.

Storm related closures:

✔️Carpinteria Unified School District schools (Monday, Feb. 5)

✔️Carpinteria State Beach (until further notice)

✔️Carpinteria Creek bike path (through next week)

✔️Carpinteria Skate Park (through Tuesday, Feb. 6)

✔️Senior programing (Monday, Feb. 5)

✔️Carpinteria Community Pool (Monday, Feb. 5)

At this time, Carpinteria City Hall is expected to remain open on Monday, Feb. 5.

Carpinterians are strongly encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Ready SBC alerts at https://www.readysbc.org/. The SB County Call Center is also open at (833) 688-5551. The City of Carpinteria provides regular local updates through Facebook, Instagram and the “Latest News” section of the City website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/

EVACUATION WARNINGS have been issued for the following areas in Santa Barbara County:

• Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas.
• Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Drive down to parts of Ninos Drive, in the city of Santa Barbara.

This EVACUATION WARNING is due to an incoming storm arriving Saturday, Feb. 3 through Tuesday, Feb. 5 with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows and landslides.

Carpinterians are encouraged to use our self-serve sandbag station at City Hall to help protect their homes and properties. The fully stocked station is located in our Public Works yard at the back of the City Hall property, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

Storm related City closures:

• Carpinteria Creek bike path (through next week)
• Carpinteria Skate Park (through Tuesday)
• Senior programing (Monday)
• Carpinteria Community Pool (Monday)

Schools in Carpinteria Unified School District will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 5.

At this time, City Hall is expected to remain open on Monday, Feb. 5.

Carpinterians are strongly encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Ready SBC alerts at https://www.readysbc.org/. The City of Carpinteria provides regular local updates through Facebook, Instagram and the “Latest News” section of the City website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/

The Planning Commission will meet on Monday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. to consider a proposed redevelopment of the property at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue (currently occupied by Sun Coast Rentals) into a new three-story mixed-use (commercial / residential) project. Plans for the project include a 24-unit, 31,026-square-foot apartment complex built around and atop a ground-level 22,198-square-foot concrete parking podium, and a 4,044-square-foot two-story commercial building.

Members of the public may attend the meeting in-person at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., or view and make comment through Zoom. Additionally, the public may view the meeting live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/ or on Government Access Television Channel 21. Further details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found in the agenda HERE.

A series of storms is expected to bring significant rain to Carpinteria over the next week or more.

Residents are invited to use our self-serve sandbag station at City Hall to help protect their homes and properties. The fully stocked station is located in our Public Works yard at the back of the City Hall property, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

To prepare for upcoming storms, our Public Works crew has been clearing storm drains and adding extra street sweeping to prevent leaves from clogging drains. We have our sandbag station ready and our crew members on hand to assist should the storms require additional support.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Ready SBC alerts to stay alert and aware of dangers. Sign up at https://www.readysbc.org/

The City of Carpinteria has updated its municipal code on Regulating Polystyrene Products and Single-Use Plastics to align with recent state laws and to protect our community’s environment.

Here’s what you should know:

• Residents, we urge you to refuse single-use plastics when dining out and choose reusables instead. New code allows you to bring reusable containers into businesses to be used instead of disposable plates, bowls, silverware, etc.
• Businesses should not provide customers with any polystyrene products (resin code “PS” or “#6”), plastic utensils, plastic straws or plastic stirrers. Under new guidelines set by SB 54, all disposable or to-go foodware has to be recyclable or compostable through the City’s collection program (compostable plastics are not allowed).
• In addition to foodware, Mylar or foil balloons are now prohibited within the City, and latex balloons filled with air or gasses lighter than air may not be released. These regulations help protect our community by reducing power outages and fires, and protecting our marine and terrestrial wildlife.
• Enforcement for this ordinance will not start until July to help the community transition to these new regulations. For more information on the ordinance and resources you can use, please visit https://carpinteriaca.gov/public-works/sustainability-and-environment-division/solid-waste-program/refuse-single-use-carpinteria/. If you have any questions, please contact sustainability@carpinteriaca.gov

Would your child enjoy a summer filled with sand, surf and sun? Our Carpinteria Junior Lifeguards program might be just the right fit. Our program runs from June 17 to Aug. 2 on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We will hold tryouts for any new JGs (or former mini-JGs interested in participating in JGs) from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays between Feb. 3 and March 2. Tryouts will be held at the Carpinteria Community Pool, 5305 Carpinteria Ave. Please learn more about the JG program, sign up for a tryout time or review expectations at https://carpinteriaca.gov/?s=junior+lifeguards

The City of Carpinteria is partnering with PoweredUp Network to bring sustainable, resilient and affordable energy to Carpinteria residents. The PoweredUp Carpinteria Program offers a complete solar and smart home backup battery system at zero upfront cost. All homeowners are eligible to apply with no income, FICO score, or property lien requirements. Plus, the system features a state-of-the-art solar energy system and the latest technology in smart home battery storage. With the PoweredUp Carpinteria Program, you’ll generate and store 100% renewable energy from the sun, and use that stored energy to protect your home against power outages and avoid peak rate pricing. Homeowners are encouraged to learn more about the program by visiting poweredupnetwork.com or by calling (805) 769-3733.

Hey Seniors! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, who says you need to hit the neighborhood pharmacy for a card when you can make one at the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. Join in AgeWell’s Valentine Making workshop on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. for some creative card making fun. The event is free and part of the Senior Lecture Series. Learn more about upcoming programs for seniors at https://carpinteriaca.gov/agewell/

It’s time to pull out your boots and dust off your cowboy hat for AgeWell’s Senior Barn Dance on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Carpinteria Veteran’s Memorial Building, 941 Walnut Ave. What’s on the menu? Snacks, entertainment, dancing and a good time for everyone! The event is free for folks 55 and over. See you there, cowgirls and cowboys!

ARB Access Update: Now you can participate through Zoom in the Carpinteria Architectural Review Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. At the meeting, the ARB will hold a preliminary review of a request to construct a new 99-room resort with associated amenities, a 41-unit apartment complex, and recreational trail improvements on Bluffs 1 parcels addressed as 5669 and 5885 Carpinteria Ave. The project would include the removal of 108 trees, new landscaping, and habitat restoration. The property is 27.5 acres in size and zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD).

The meeting will be held in person in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. It can be viewed live through the City’s website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings, broadcast live on Government Access Television Channel 21 and streamed through Zoom, with opportunities for the public to comment via Zoom. The agenda, located at https://bit.ly/423DHhw, includes detailed information on how to participate and how to submit public comment, including the new Zoom links.

For additional information about the project, please visit the City’s website: https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/community-development/carpinteria-farm-hospitality-residential-project-review/