It’s a debate over a proposed hotel, and ultimately how to manage development in a South Coast community.
Many people in Carpinteria are buzzing about a proposal to build a boutique hotel on city-owned property. The proposal calls for building it at Linden Avenue, and Fifth Street. It's property the city bought from Union Pacific Railroad which is currently used for parking.
City leaders have talked about the concept for years, looking at it as a potential revenue source. The city sought proposals for a project on the site from developers. It hasn’t received a formal plan for the review process yet, but it's looked at the conceptual outline for a two story, up to 39 room project.
While city officials have talked about it for the last few years, some opponents feel like they are being ignored.
The result is they put Measure T on the ballot, which would change the property’s zoning to block a hotel on the site. Supporters of the measure say a hotel doesn't fit with the community small beach town character.
Measure T’s opponents say there is an established public process for review of proposed projects, and the measure tries to bypass it. And they contend the wording of the measure could impact other parts of the community as well.
Both sides in the controversy agree about one thing: There's a lot of confusion in the community about the measure.
KCLU's Lance Orozco looks at the debate over Measure T.
