The Santa Barbara chapter of AIA (American Institute of Architects) is writing this letter in response to the Independent article “Santa Barbara's Parklet-Palooza Rocks On” to set the record straight.
Over the past few years, our organization has sponsored large, collaborative, local-volunteer efforts to assist with envisioning the future of downtown Santa Barbara. AIASB enthusiastically supports the outdoor dining that the downtown parklets provide, the promenade, and the lifeline that these have provided to our local businesses during this difficult time.
Our organization did not seek out involvement in the City’s rethinking of parklet guidelines. In December 2020, members of the City Council petitioned AIASB's advocacy committee to help City staff review existing parklets, enclosures, and parklet guidelines for health, safety, accessibility, and conformance with aesthetic standards in the downtown historic district.