Landlord Launched Campaign to Reopen State Street
A signature drive seeks to repeal Santa Barbara's downtown vehicle ban through a voter referendum.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Commercial landlord Jim Knell has initiated a petition drive to repeal Title 31, which bans vehicles from State Street. The campaign aims to force a special election to challenge the City Council's recently ratified $100 million State Street Master Plan.
Why it matters
The effort highlights growing friction between property owners and the city regarding the economic viability of the downtown pedestrian zone. Proponents of the repeal cite a 40 percent office vacancy rate as evidence that the vehicle ban hampers business performance.
The campaign requires 5,400 signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the ballot. If successful, the referendum would repeal Title 31, potentially triggering a special election estimated to cost the city $300,000.
The players
Jim Knell
He is a prominent commercial landlord in Santa Barbara who oversees a portfolio of 300 business tenants.
Santa Barbara City Council
This is the local governing body that ratified the State Street Master Plan by a 6-to-1 vote.
The details
Jim Knell, who manages 300 business tenants in Santa Barbara, argues that the current vehicle ban has contributed to a 40 percent vacancy rate in downtown office spaces. While downtown sales tax revenue has grown by only 1 percent since 2019, other areas like the Funk Zone and Milpas Street have seen growth of 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
Timeline
2019: The city first banned cars from State Street.
September 1, 2026: The City Council ratified the State Street Master Plan.
Past six months: Nearly 20 new businesses signed leases or opened doors.
March 2027: The earliest potential date for a special election.
Political Context
Opponents of the signature drive emphasize the necessity of the State Street Master Plan to modernize the city's pedestrian infrastructure. Supporters of the current plan argue that the $100 million investment is essential for long-term downtown revitalization despite local pushback.
If the campaign secures enough signatures, residents could be called to vote in a special election by March 2027. This could result in a $300,000 public expense and potential changes to current downtown traffic regulations and parking access.
The takeaway
The conflict reflects a broader debate over whether pedestrian-only zones boost or hinder local commercial recovery. Business owners and residents should monitor future council meetings for updates on the signature threshold and election timeline.
Further reading
Learn more about local governing processes at Civic Engagement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Santa Barbara Independent.
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