Giving Isla Vista a Voice in Its Own Future

It's time for Isla Vista to become its own city—and take control of its future.

Isla Vista deserves to govern itself. For decades, our community has faced extraordinary housing costs, infrastructure needs, and decisions made by institutions that are not directly accountable to Isla Vista residents. Even one of America's most prominent newspapers, The New York Times, has taken note of just how bad the cost of living here has become. We should have more than an opportunity to petition the County for change. We should have a full municipal government of our own, with the authority and responsibility to address local priorities.

This is not a new ambition. In the early 1970s, Isla Vista residents organized for greater self-government, pursuing cityhood and building their own community institutions. IVRPD was created in 1972 amid that movement, when voters chose to establish an independent, locally elected district to protect and manage the community's parks and open space. In 1975, residents went further, approving a bond to acquire land for the public. The District exists because earlier generations believed Isla Vista should have a direct hand in shaping its future. That history is a powerful argument for carrying their work forward.

I strongly support incorporating Isla Vista as an independent city. Cityhood would give residents an elected municipal government focused on this community, with greater local authority over planning, infrastructure, public services, and even rent control within the limits of state law. It would not make affordability problems disappear overnight, but it would put more of the decisions affecting our daily lives in the hands of the people who live here. Our goal should be to make cityhood financially viable—not to treat past obstacles as a reason to abandon it.

IVRPD should be an active partner in making that happen. As Isla Vista's oldest independently elected governments and a steward of land throughout the community, the District has both a democratic mandate and a practical stake in the design of a future city. The 2015 legislation establishing IVCSD specifically recognized IVRPD's stewardship of open space and called for its continued independence. I would push for IVRPD to work with IVCSD, residents, UCSB, the County, and LAFCO to advance a serious incorporation proposal while protecting our parks, funding, and local representation. The same spirit of self-determination that created IVRPD should help guide Isla Vista toward full cityhood.

Building on Isla Vista's tradition of self-government.

Disagree with something here? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Good ideas get better through conversation. Whether you agree, disagree, or have a different suggestion, I welcome your questions and perspectives on Isla Vista's future.