To: UCSB Community

From: Highway 217 Review Committee

Re: Update on the activities and findings of the Highway 217 Review Committee

The update on the activities and findings of the Highway 217 Review Committee that was sent out last Friday (Feb. 11, 2000) was written several weeks ago and had been reviewed and approved by the Review Committee and UCSB administrators. Since that update was written, there have been a series of new developments on Highway 217 issues. The Highway 217 Review Committee has met several more times since the last update was written, including a meeting with community leaders who have served on Goleta Old Town planning committees (Ms. Jonny Wallis, Mr. Harlan Green). In addition, Committee member Harry Nelson completed a detailed analysis of traffic flow patterns under the proposed plan and has been working with the University's traffic consultant to analyze the impacts of the planned changes to Highway 217 on the safety, health, efficiency, and traffic delays of UCSB commuters. Committee members Kuntz, Cooper, and Nelson have worked with the traffic consultants on conceptual solutions which will serve southern Goleta Old Town without impeding traffic flows to and from UCSB, and the release of a general report from the traffic consultants is imminent.

In letters to the Goleta Valley Voice (Feb. 9, 2000), Daily Nexus (Feb. 9, 2000), and Santa Barbara News Press (Feb. 14, 2000), Supervisor Marshall states that the final design for Highway 217 will incorporate the conclusions from the studies of the University's traffic consultant. She also emphasizes that "final decisions have not yet been made, and will not be made without appropriate input and consultation" with the University community. In those letters, she proposes a public forum on Highway 217 featuring representatives from the County, Highway 217 Review Committee, and Goleta Old Town Project Area Committee. Committee members Cooper, Nelson, and Kuntz met with Supervisor Marshall and her advisor, Mark Chaconas, on Feb. 9, 2000, and she reiterated these commitments and indicated a desire to work with the University community on solutions to common problems. As soon as the Committee has received a general report from its traffic consultants, it will arrange to discuss its analyses, findings, and the traffic consultants' report with the campus community, and Supervisor Marshall and her staff.

Also coming up is a mail vote by the full Academic Senate on a resolution calling for a moratorium on County planning of the Highway 217 modifications so that the Highway 217 Review Committee has time to complete its analysis. On February 3, 2000, the Faculty Legislature unanimously approved a resolution proposed by the Faculty Association calling for a moratorium on Highway 217 planning. The Highway 217 Review Committee has received a number of messages from faculty, staff, and students expressing their concerns about the proposed stop lights on Highway 217.

A detailed description of the Goleta Old Town Revitalization Plan, the history of this plan, UCSB's stance on this plan, and the findings and activities of the Highway 217 Review Committee can be found on the Highway 217 Review Committee's Web page.