City staff and an HLC working group presented a proposal Dec. 3 to pilot native and climate‑appropriate plantings along the 1200 block of State Street. The design uses durable, low‑height green groundcovers in linear in‑ground planters to provide a homogeneous streetscape and raised beds at prominent spots for flowering native specimens. The pilot is a one‑year test coordinated with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and Friends of State Street to test aesthetics, maintenance needs and biodiversity benefits.

Commissioners endorsed the pilot and asked staff to ensure strong maintenance commitments, contingency plant replacement stocks, interpretive plant‑ID signage or QR codes for public engagement, and periodic updates to HLC. City sustainability staff and botanic‑garden partners said the pilot supports broader city goals to increase native‑planting percentages and biodiversity while reducing irrigation demand. HLC recommended the pilot move forward with a one‑year check‑in and encouraged commissioners to stay involved through the working group during installation and early establishment.

Staff and partners said they will return with monitoring results after the trial period and can consider extending or adapting plant species and locations based on outcomes.