I’ve
just finished Tyler Hayden’s State Street “Turning the Corner” piece and am
disappointed with the apparent bias with regard to the permitting process and
enforcement. In particular, the vague reference to a misnamed plant on a plan causing a year’s delay. Where are the
facts behind this assertion?
Further,
Mr. Hayden’s identifying of Jaime Limon as calling out Institution Ale for a
violation that would cost $100 per day is, again, vague and misleading. Mr.
Limon is a member (appointed by City Council) of the City’s Sign Committee. He
loves our town, and in the case of reporting Institution Ale he was acting
legitimately to call attention to an egregious violation of the Municipal Code.
Admittedly,
the review process can be difficult for applicants. In the context of our
beautiful town, the Architectural Board of Review (ABR), the Historic Landmarks
Commission (HLC), the Sign Committee, the Planning Commission, the Street Tree
Advisory, Parks & Recreation Commission, and other review bodies are
necessary to the preservation of the architectural history, neighborhood integrity,
the urban forest, etc. Without these groups, and the Municipal Code they
enforce, we could easily become a very ugly place. If you’re curious with
regard to ugly places, take a drive south, to Oxnard and beyond. Closer though,
try Goleta.