Phebe Mansur for Goleta City Council | Common-Sense Governance

Fixing Hollister Avenue:
Common-Sense Solutions Now

Bypassing neighborhood gridlock, helping local businesses thrive, and putting practical safety first.

For more than 30 years, community members and business owners have spoken against narrowing Hollister Avenue. What was officially introduced as the Interim Hollister Avenue Striping Project was presented to residents as a temporary, flexible trial. However, after watching community members being dismissed without genuine dialogue and critical feedback brushed aside at the six-month review, many in our community feel demoralized and disillusioned—convinced city hall intended to make these damaging changes permanent all along.

The consequences of this top-down approach have been devastating for Old Town.

The Problem

Eliminating left-hand turns along Hollister Avenue creates severe customer inconvenience, actively discouraging shoppers from stopping at local Old Town businesses. Worse yet, the city showed clear favoritism: the only permitted left turns along the corridor are into city-owned property, the Goleta Union School District, and two corporate franchise businesses—leaving independent local merchants stranded and inaccessible.

Left-Hand Turns

Solution: Immediately restore equal, accessible left-turn access for all local businesses and cross-streets, eliminating unfair city perks, reconnecting our neighborhood, and welcoming shoppers back into Old Town.

Restoring Corridor Flow by Removing Median Bumps

Solution: By eliminating rigid median barriers, we remove a major source of potential vehicle damage while giving drivers the flexibility needed to safely navigate turning vehicles, delivery trucks, and emergency responders without bringing the entire corridor to a standstill.

Parking Realignment

Solution: Realign street parking back to intuitive, welcoming, pull-in diagonal spots—eliminating traffic backups, ensuring accessible parking for drivers of all ages and experience levels, and inviting visitors back into Old Town.

Planning Ahead: Managing Growth & Restoring Corridor Capacity

With 3–4 major housing developments planned for Old Town—already the most densely populated area in the city—our infrastructure must adapt to meet rising demand rather than creating artificial bottlenecks.

Restore Active Travel Lanes: Re-establish four travel lanes (9-foot width) along the corridor to clear gridlock, restore full traffic capacity, and eliminate drivers cutting through quiet neighborhood streets.
Integrate Safe Bike Infrastructure: Implement dedicated, clearly marked bike lanes so cyclists, commuters, and delivery vehicles can navigate the corridor safely alongside vehicle traffic.
Implement Consistent Parking Enforcement: Begin active parking enforcement along commercial and residential blocks to protect parking availability for local residents and small businesses.

Old Town Business Spotlight & News

Jonesy's Fried Chicken restaurant storefront in Old Town Goleta

Other Closed Local Businesses

Goleta Floral

Goodland BBQ

La Tia Joanna

Jonesy's Fried Chicken is the most recent business to announce its closure, and we are deeply saddened to see such a vibrant restaurant leave our neighborhood. It marks the fourth local business to close its doors while directly citing the narrowing of Hollister Avenue as a pivotal factor.

The corridor's redesign has created a perfect storm for local merchants: gridlock traffic, confusing back-in diagonal parking, restricted left-hand turns, and even customer boycotts intended to send a message to City Hall. While well-intentioned, these boycotts inadvertently punish the very small businesses struggling to survive. My own business would have faced closure as well, had we not adapted by adding background check and Live Scan fingerprinting services alongside the support of our remarkably loyal customers.

As your elected representative, I will bring this firsthand reality to City Hall and continue advocating fiercely for our small businesses, our residents, and the vitality of Old Town Goleta.

Phebe Mansur participating in a CERT emergency response drill alongside local firefighters

Readiness in action! Phebe participating in a CERT emergency response drill alongside our dedicated local firefighters. Stronger neighborhood safety starts with being prepared!

Media & Press Coverage

Why I'm Running

Goleta captured my heart the day I arrived. After working my way through college, staying here was an easy decision—and I’ve been a proud small business owner since 1992. I’m running to restore the spirit of our neighborhoods, give residents and businesses a real voice, and deliver leadership that puts our community first.

Ending top-down decision-making. Ensuring residents and small business owners are genuinely heard before policy changes are made.

Key Policy: Support for City Council Term Limits to keep leadership fresh, responsive, and accountable.

Protecting and strengthening the unique local small businesses that make Goleta thrive and residents depend on.

Key Policy: Business License Fee Stabilization to offer local shops predictability, relief, and room to grow. Establish a Goleta Old Town Business Improvement District operated and managed by business owners.

Reduce grid-lock on Hollister Avenue. Keep cut-through traffic off residential streets, making walks to school and work safe, and preserving Old Town’s character.

Immediately restore all left-hand turns, remove median safety bumps, and restripe for pull-in diagonal parking. Create a balanced traffic plan for Hollister Avenue to safely manage growth from three new Old Town housing developments, ensuring our city's most densely populated neighborhood maintains smooth vehicular flow and strong business access.

Phebe Mansur during her UCSB graduation, smiling with the campus lagoon behind her

Meet Phebe Mansur

I arrived in Goleta as a UCSB student and immediately fell in love with the town's unique charm, vibrant neighborhoods, and friendly people.

Over the years, I've built my life and a local small business right here in Old Town. Today, I am proud to serve on the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) California State Leadership Council to advocate for small businesses across our region. Goleta isn't just where I work—it's my home, and its success is deeply personal to me.

For over two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to hands-on volunteer service across Goleta—whether serving on the City of Goleta Public Tree Advisory Commission, planting trees and organizing neighborhood cleanups with Goleta Valley Beautiful (where I’m honored to have served on the board and received the President’s Award, the Golden Shovel Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution 2009 National Conservation Award), or supporting local youth through 11 years on the Dos Pueblos Little League board. As a co-founder of the Goleta Old Town Community Association, I’ve worked side-by-side with neighbors to care for our town and preserve its unique character.

After years of unofficially advocating for our residents and local businesses, running for City Council feels like the natural next step in my lifelong commitment to give back to the community that captured my heart.

Get Involved Today

Join your neighbors in supporting Phebe and help build a stronger Goleta.

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Join Your Neighbors Supporting Phebe

"Phebe understands the daily challenges small business owners face on Hollister Avenue. She has my vote."

— Gabriel S., Old Town Business Owner

"For years, Phebe has shown up for Goleta as a volunteer. She listens, she cares, and she acts."

— Grace W., 20-Year Resident

"We need someone on the council who puts common-sense local issues ahead of politics. Phebe is that person."

— David K., Community Leader

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Protecting the Spirit of Goleta.Listening to Every Neighborhood.

Fixing Hollister Avenue:Common-Sense Solutions Now