The Surfliner Inn Project in Carpinteria continues to spark debate over its environmental and visual impacts, most recently at a public hearing held by the City Council on Wednesday, February 18.
With the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) now under review on the 36-room hotel development in a parking lot near the Amtrak station, councilmembers face mounting public pressure. A significant portion of residents who spoke Wednesday voiced opposition to the hotel and questioned whether it aligns with Carpinteria’s long-term planning goals and environmental preservation of several nesting bird species and tree mitigation and protection.
“We live in this magnificent community because people worked for decades to keep its soul,” said neighbor Giti White, urging the council to preserve Carpinteria’s character. “With all due respect, this EIR is a disingenuous, conclusory joke,” White added. She also criticized the EIR. for having “no alternative project site,” one that would avoid interfering with at-risk wildlife and interference with railroad access…