SoapBoxBy an edhat reader
Does anyone know why the city refuses to enforce obvious traffic codes such as “No person shall stop, leave standing or park any vehicle within an area designated as prohibited…” This designation certainly includes the southbound lanes on Upper State Street between Hitchcock and Ontare.
Poor planning and poor enforcement allows Chick-Fil-A to operate a drive-through that is so popular it regularly backs up traffic onto State Street and about a quarter mile back around the corner onto Hitchcock. Uncaring members of our town constantly sit in their cars during lunch and dinner hours, belching fumes while the parking lot sits empty. Ignoring how obviously wrong and lazy it is to block traffic on a major street, or to block sidewalks and other businesses rather than to courteously pull into a parking lot and walk a few feet to pick up their meal.
Why is it OK for a private business to create this kind of public disruption on a daily basis for several year’s now and nothing has been done? (Except for Sundays, thank god, when they rest.) I know, it is your given right to just sit in your car and have someone hand you your daily caloric intake, but, I have to wonder if our community would tolerate this if it was a local aid organization providing free healthy meals to local families in need.
You think its bad now? Wait until Estancia is done being built.
And the problem got SIGNIFICANTLY worse when that concrete barrier between sides of the street was installed; I remember when it was a Burger King there, and you could just drive across the suicide lane into and out of the lot
God-fearing sabbath-takers aside (your bias against (towards?) them is palapable…), the problem is that this area was never meant to support as many people as are living there now. Traffic issues are only gonna get worse as more and more people move here. We don’t have the wide roads and SUV/mobility scooter- oriented infrastrucure the way places like Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Orange County have. Your best bet is to ride a bike, or get a scooter or motorcycle, if you’re able. Being able to split lanes, not having to pay for parking anywhere, being able to fit your bike in the small gaps between parked cars is all worth it.
Otherwise, you’re just gonna have to get used to the ever-increasing traffic woes. What is it they say? Quit your bellyaching! 😉
I feel your pain op TJs is also mess the 99 cent store the same thing but if you’re driving a car and complaining about other people driving theirs well I find that a little hypocritical don’t you think? Anyone driving is part of the traffic problems of SB. Myself included.
In answer to your whataboutism – TJ’s has two entrances and on street parking, I’ve never experienced 10 cars backed up waiting to get in there as a result, maybe the OP hasn’t either and so it isn’t a problem for them. I’ll be more constructive and offer a solution for Chik fil A, make the second driveway an entrance as well as an exit then those wishing to park and order rather than clog the road can do so.
Boo boo. The downtown Ralph’s so be closed because traffic backs up often around De La Vina onto Carrillo causing people to lose a precious few minutes or even less usually. Why don’t you just avoid the area during peak hours or leave earlier if you must drive that way?
NOPE – what “whataboutism?” The OP was complaining about traffic issues caused by poor planning, right? Bringing up TJs and other spots isn’t really a deflection of the problem, as the term “whataboutism” implies, it’s just asking why Chik-Fil-A seems to be the only target of his/her ire?
Step 1: Call police to request traffic enforcement. Each time you witness the violation.
Step 2: If you do not see police enforcement, present your concern to city council in writing or, if so inclined, go there during public comment period.
The reality is that the line-up on State Street, besides blocking traffic, creates an unsafe situation as people try to merge into the second lane. I did observe an employee directing people to NOT stop and wait in traffic lanes the other day. They are aware of the issue. Whether or not you can get the police interested is another story. They simply do not enforce traffic violations around here. Which is unfortunate considering how much money is not being made and the reality that their negligence puts the rest of us in danger from the stupidity of drivers.
Insisting that someone couldn’t possibly complain about X without mentioning Y is 100% whataboutism.
There are two lanes of traffic. Pick the one without the line waiting to turn.
Not much difference between an MTD bus stopping to pickup / drop off some riders and a few cars waiting to enter a parking lot… They both block the lane for a few minutes causing the need to (gasp) merge into the other lane! This is even less of an issue if you factor the very common need to allow pedestrians to walk across a crosswalk or driveway on occasion forcing the right lane to wait a few minutes for the road to clear… Maybe the OP should get out of SB once in a while. It sounds like they may have a little confusion over what is a problem and what is a very minor everyday annoyance.
I boycott them, so I’ve never eaten at one, but I have seen the line. Fortunately, I was able to change lanes and go around the log jam. I was surprised at how popular Chick-a-fil is.
Dear OP: As you can see, there are a lot of Edhat commenters who are all too ready to take you to task for daring to mention that this blocking of the right lane is illegal, ridiculous and needs to be resolved. Everytime I drive past and see cars sitting with their idling engines, sitting in that right lane which is meant for through traffic, I wonder, “How long before enforcement of the law comes into play and something is done about this flagrantly illegal situation?” I bet if those sitting in their vehicles waiting in line in that right hand driving lane were cited/fined every once in a while, word would get out and that would put an end to this misuse of a traffic lane. OP Please don’t pay attention to those who tell you you’re “bellyaching” (how lame) or that you are in the wrong for pointing out something which is not right to begin with. I am glad you brought this up. Something needs to be done and those who have been wagging their fingers at you deserve to be ignored.
So, you “drive past” as you see the cars waiting in line, right? So, that means traffic is not being blocked. There, easy. Done.
GINGER1 – Do you honestly believe the police have nothing better to do than to take a report “each time” someone sees a line of cars there? Please, get over yourself. The rest of the city has serious issues to address.
We go there regularly, but learned to arrive early to avoid the traffic. We simply cannot resist their chicken strips along with kris-cut waffle fries, and a large lemonade. If there is a long line we just put on our “mellow hats” and politely wait until it is our turn to order. Life is much too short to worry about a few cars that we can easily drive around. I had a woman honking and yelling at me last week at Trader Joes…she finally whizzed past me in her Prius, and that is when I noticed her bumper sticker….”COEXiST”
The “bellyaching” comment had more to do with the obvious bias this person has towards a company. And the fact that they seem to be just complaining, instead of actually seeking a solution to the problem.
As 420722 put it, if you are driving a car in that area at that time, guess what? You’re part of the problem! I hate traffic, and all these cars on the road. So you know what? I ride my motorcycle. Saves time, gas, the enviornment, and my aggravation. If you don’t like the situation, either ask for guidance or do something about it! Quit your bellyaching! When you live in a 3rd world country and don’t have safe drinking water, that’s something to complain about. Hell, you don’t even have to go to a 3rd world country; look at Flint, MI….. Ok, off the soapbox now. :p
Both situations, at Chik Fil A and Trader Joes, are a result of very poor planning on the part of SB. Both had to do traffic/parking studies and obviously, the studies were inaccurate. No project should cause a line up of traffic/idling cars out into the public thoroughfare. I would suggest calling SB Planning and filing a complaint with a request for new traffic studies. This should result in some new striping or more adequate parking spaces. For fast foods, they assume 3 minutes per car or something like that. We all know it takes longer than that between an order and service. We have a Starbucks that underwent an inadequate parking/traffic analysis and the line always interferes with through traffic in the shopping center parking lot. It causes chaos and crankiness. All this should and could be avoided.
Taste the hate!
Four dozen comments and no one has stated the obvious? The cops turn a blind eye because they love Chick-Fil-A!! Their lunch break is before noon so they’re in and out. Props to the guys and gals in blue!!!
This comment is many times over the most read on here in several days, indicating this is an issue for a lot of people. And it should be obvious that the OP intended to bait all of you commenters who love this product or company so blindly that you defend breaking the law to put your singular personal desire ahead of the clear and legal right of way of others. The same commenters are often the first ones to say things like “what part of illegal isn’t clear” when it comes to other less tasty quality of life issues.
And to those that say just pull around and keep moving, easy peasy … well, it will be tough to defend that position to the mother of the bicyclist that gets slammed trying to pass the cars blocking access to the bike lane.
Good for you, but please don’t mock the idea of boycott. I’ve never eaten at chick filla and never will. Eaten at McD’s fewer than 5 times, including funeral road trips. Burger King never, J in box when I was a stoned teen, once. I know how holy I sound, but I’d rather just eat PB&J. And I’ve not been in need of food. Obviously, I’m not a traveler.
Soapsbox: If you have ever had their food, you would certainly understand why people crave it morning, noon, and night. They are closed on Sundays, so traffic is not that bad on that day. Their chicken is the most tender and tasty just about anowhere on the planet. A lot of us walk there, ride a bike or take the MTD 6 or 11 to get there for our “fix.” Yes, it is really that good!!!
I agree with most of what you say, but not that the OP was baiting. This business is a problem on upper State. So is Ontare Plaza — and Jeanine’s has expanded. Thank goodness the Medicine Shoppe has great delivery. I used them, and their fantastic customer service, for years while my parents were sick and dying. I was able to walk there, or go at end of day if necessary. I hope they can find another site to serve their clientele.
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Upper State is a disaster, traffic-wise, and has been for many years. It will get terribly worse, and affect many people.
=========================================================================I I do not drive it between 9 and 5, or later and earlier, in the months preceding our largest consumer holiday. I also know some parking tricks; I’m sure those who have lived here for decades do too. It helps to do grocery shopping at 7 a.m. or p.m.
Oh, need I mention how hard it is to “pull around” if you get stuck in the business-side lane?! Haven’t we all seen the backup behind city buses?! And the close calls?
What do you expect people to do when they are hungry and want to go here to eat? When there is a line to get into the parking lot or drive-through, there really is no other option but to wait in said line. I take it from this complaint on Edhat that you clearly aren’t a fan of Chick-Fil-A – but isn’t there far more important and pressing issues in this city, and in the world in general ; )
Seriously? Wow! Never heard of turning your steering wheel and finding another route. It’s not just Chic-Fil-A. You’re on State Street! LMAO!
I agree with op they are creating a hazard and nuisance. It’s definetley an issue. Plus there are more healthy locally owned options for lunch people! Get your heads out of the junk zone. Your body will thank you for it
Chik Fil A is probably one of the healthier fast food options out there, if you have ever been there then you would know. Great food and great people. As for the back up, it does get to be a problem but there are always traffic studies done before a business is allowed to go in so you’re SOL on this one. Just turn your wheel and merge into the outside lane like the rest of us.
Are you upset about the line or that it’s unhealthy food? I get the sense that if they were serving fresh, organic, artisnal, non-gmo, free range vegan patties, you’d really have no issue with this.
I work half a block away and it’s really not that bad most of the time. You simply go in the other lane. I’ve yet to see it backing up traffic “for many blocks.”
I don’t see any info about you calling the Police and them refusing to enforce the laws. The Police are pretty busy with a lot of stuff and will not go out of their way to make things rough on a business unless they are required to. Call them and then tell us what the response is.
Same goes for the 99 cent store parking on Haley. Why would you think The OP’s objection is nutritionally or ideologically based? The problem is traffic related!
Oh good grief! I’m no fan of the politics this business represents but to bellyache about it’s popularity and make it into a traffic issue is rather petty. I mean it’s not like the drive thru line is blocking all eastbound traffic. If you’re aware of the lunch hour rush take a detour or glide over into the passing lane… it’s called driving, you know, and while driving there will be inconveniences – that’s just life.
If you know anything about traffic studies then you’d know that this was all part of the application process that there would inevitably be traffic like this. And they allowed it. So if they weren’t worried about it then, they aren’t going to do anything about it now. There is nothing illegal about people waiting on a line to get into a business. The same could be said for Educated Car Wash right up the street and plenty of other businesses in town that create the same backup to get into their lots. Including the city parking lot entrances on Chapala Street.
I tried boycotting them – but their chicken sandwiches are so darn good, especially with those pickles.
Why would we think it is nutritionally or ideologically based you ask? Well, because, the TJ’s on De La Vina has been creating a much worse problem on a much more regular basis and yet, nothing mentioned about that ever.
NOPE – Someone beat me to it regarding Trader Joe’s. Also, the overall tone of the letter is pretty telling.
OP how do you feel about the TJ’s on De La Vina? It’s been creating a similar, but much worse, problem for years now – on a much more regular basis (not just lunch hour, but mornings, lunch and dinner/after work). It’s fairly nearby. Are you upset about that too?
Because of this statement: “I know, it is your given right to just sit in your car and have someone hand you your daily caloric intake, but, I have to wonder if our community would tolerate this if it was a local aid organization providing free healthy meals to local families in need.”
I live in that area and it certainly does not create a line for “many blocks”. The line doesn’t even reach Educated Car Wash – who also creates the same back up.
OP – You ask if it would be different if this was a “local aid organization providing free healthy meals to local families.” Well, what do you think? Would our community tolerate it like we apparently do with Chik-Fil-A? Or, do you think we’d be up in arms about a healthy and “politically correct” business creating the same traffic issues? Also, for NOPE – this is yet another reason commenters are suggesting this was more than just a “traffic issue.”
Can someone go take a video with their phone this afternoon of all the law breakers in line and chik fil A? Send it to the city, sometimes you have to put it in their face to get action. I can’t do it I have to walk to work now. I stopped driving to work so you all could have one less vehicle on the road during to morning and evening rush hours…your welcome.
i found myself behind this drive through conundrum recently and was mildly appalled. bunch of slims idling for a deep fried roided chicken breast sandwich is pretty ridiculous. #maga
You should see the traffic at In-and-Out Burgers @Turnpike and Calle Real. If you emptied the cars, more than thoughtless, lazy types, you’d find a lot of tired, over-worked, over-weight people trying to grab cheap food and get by for another day. When you’re exhausted or hurting or both, a few extra steps becomes a mammoth task. Our way of living is killing us.
While I agree there are traffic issues with the ingress to Chick-Fil-A , your quote on the traffic codes is incorrect….. there is no one parking or leaving their vehicles in traffic at Chick-Fil-A, period. They are blocking traffic waiting to turn into the lot. This actually happens MANY places in town , not just Chick-Fil-A. Obviously, this is poor planning by the City , but there is no traffic enforment laws being broken. EVERYONE can complain, but rather than complaining, why don’t you do something about it and join one of the city planning committees and be a voice to fix the problem
Nothing like jumping all over the poster for wondering what to do about people illegally stopping and blocking one lane of the road. I’d take photos, take them to the police and to a City Council meeting. Keep at it and maybe something will be done if even just to get you off their backs. Good luck.
FLICKA and others – it is NOT illegal to be stopped behind another car in traffic. If a car was simply stopped in the lane with nothing in front of it and heading no where, then this code may be applicable. There is nothing illegal about being in a line of cars heading into a place that happens to slow traffic. If that were the case, then EVERY driving parent at EVERY school, EVERY day would be ticketed as they wait to pull in to drop off/pick up their kids. Seriously people, it’s not that big a deal. There are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many more important things to spend your time and energy fretting about.
So thankful to live in one of the most beautiful areas with the greatest climate on Earth. I met several people from Switzerland this summer who came to Santa Barbara because we were had cooler temperatures than Switzerland, amazing.
We are all very lucky to be here.
We could instead be a one legged beggar in Bangladesh, now that would be something to complain about.
Wow, Cool. I’ve never gotten so many upvotes as I did here, for simply pointing out obvious traffic facts and driving courtesies. And the driving horror that upper State is. It’s all pretty simple. But it won’t change. Population only grows. Same with climate change. Whatever we do, growth in other countries, who of course want our (USA’s) standard of living, will counteract any change we and other first world countries make. Not that the USA is making changes. CA is an outlier.
If you are concerned about what Chick-Fil-A has done to traffic movement on Upper State, just wait until Target is complete and you’ll soon forget about Chick-Fil-A just like how in the age of Trump I look back on my concerns with George W. as so quaint.
The City knows Target will create a nightmare – take if from the City planner herself:
“In an interview with Noozhawk, City Planner Renee Brooke said there won’t be enough parking at certain times at the location in the now-closed Galleria building at 3891 State St.
“The site is constrained in parking capacity, parking lot layout, and access to the street with right in, right out-only turning movements,” she said.
“Overall, motorists will experience significantly more traffic friction at the driveway locations as the building goes from largely dormant uses to constant vitality,” Brooke said.