Traffic and Parking

I am handicapped now. I walk with a cane, sometimes a walker. Handicapped people in Santa Barbara have very limited parking. This is a shame.

I recently had trouble getting out of my car in a handicap spot at Bank of America, because a woman pulled into the no parking area close to me. I told her it was “no parking,” and she said, “I know” and proceeded to the ATM anyway. Next time I am calling 9-1-1.

Why is 5-Points’ parking lot always full of cars? Are people paying to park there?

Parking in Santa Barbara is a nightmare, always for tourists, not residents, especially with disabilities. This is disgraceful.

I suggest the city close State Street to weekend car traffic. Open up all empty spaces and lots around town to parking. Get rid of some of the construction businesses in the prime areas between 101 and the beach, as they should have 30 years ago.

You want all this for tourist business? Open it all up for development. Stop making it harder for people who live here.

Be smarter Santa Barbara. You’re not a quaint, little community anymore.