Agenda Item B.3
CPMS DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM
Meeting Date: March 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Imhof, Planning and Environmental Review Director SUBJECT: Planning and Environmental Review Department Priority -Setting Workshop, FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss work priorities and adopt an Annual Work Program for FY 202 5-26 for the Planning and Environmental Review Department.
BACKGROUND:
The Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department Annual Work Program provides a regular, structured mechanism to allow the Council to review and discuss the Department’s work commitments and staffing resources, consider individual Coun cil member’s project ideas and provide direction on Department work priorities for the next fiscal year. The draft FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program also summarizes work progress and accomplishments for the past fiscal year, FY 202 4-25, and lays the groundwo rk for the Department budget.
Where available budget and staffing are finite and the list of possible Department programs and work efforts are growing, a priority -setting process is useful to allow the City Council to establish policy priorities. A reg ular priority-setting process allows the PER Department to plan for and assign work within available resources in a structured way. This system works better and is more efficient than attempting to shift resources ad hoc to new planning projects as Counci l members identify and introduce new ideas and work priorities during the year.
DISCUSSION:
Purpose
The purpose of this workshop item is to update the Council on existing work commitments and progress and to provide the Council an opportunity to discuss work priorities for the PER Department for the upcoming fiscal year. The Annual Work Program covers the work of the main divisions of the Department: the Advance Planning Division, Current 1 Meeting Date: March 4, 2025
Planning Division, Sustainability Program, Affordable Housing Implementation Program, and Administrative Division.
The Annual Work Program creates a regular mechanism for the Council to establish the Department’s work priorities. It is also an opportunity for Council to propose and consider ideas for new work projects.
Staffing and Budget Constraints
Setting of work priorities must of course occur within the constraints of budget and available staffing. Goleta is a small city with a limited staff and finite resources. Given the large num ber of competing possible work priorities, the PER Department must be judicious and not take on too much at any given time or spread itself too thin and instead pace its work carefully. Over time, much can be accomplished if available staffing resources are concentrated and projects are tackled sequentially. At this point in time, the PER Department is fully staffed with all budgeted positions filled.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The Annual Work Program for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is consistent with the current proposed FY 2025-26 budget with respect to existing positions and work commitments, including consultant resources. It also lays the groundwork for the next budget cycle assuming a continuation of existing staff resources.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council can direc t staff to revise the PER Department FY 202 5-26 Annual Work Program prior to adoption or choose not to adopt an Annual Work Program.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program
2. Staff Presentation
2 ATTACHMENT 1:
Draft FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program
3 1
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
DEPARTMENT
Draft
4 2
FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DEPARTMENT
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 4 Introduction and Purpose ........................................................................................... 4 Department Staffing and Organizational Structure..................................................... 4 Figure 1: Planning and Environmental Review Department Structure .................... 9 Workload Considerations ........................................................................................... 9 ADVANCE PLANNING DIVISION............................................................................ 11 Role of the Division .................................................................................................. 11 Programs/Ongoing Work Efforts .............................................................................. 11 Table 1: Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities ............................................................. 11 Key Accomplishments and Milestones ..................................................................... 12 Table 2. Key Accomplishments & Project Milestones FY 2024-25 ......................... 12 Division Projects for FY 2025-26 ............................................................................. 13 Table 3: Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects ................................................................... 13 Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity ................................................. 13 Table 4: Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity ................................. 13 CURRENT PLANNING DIVISION .............................................................................. 14 Role of the Division .................................................................................................. 14 Projects & Programs ................................................................................................ 14 Table 5: Key Accomplishments and Project Milestones FY 2023-24 ..................... 14 Table 6: Current Planning Division, Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities for FY 2024- 25 ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table 7: Current Planning Division, Fiscal Year 2024-25 Projects ........................ 15 Table 8: Current Planning, Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity ... 15 SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM ................................................................................... 16 Role of the Program ................................................................................................. 16 Projects & Programs ................................................................................................ 16 The Sustainability potential long-range projects are listed in Table 12 below. ............ 18 AFFORDABLE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM ...................................... 19 Role of the Program ................................................................................................. 19 Projects & Programs ................................................................................................ 19 5 3
The Affordable Housing Implementation Program potential long-range projects are listed in Table 16 below. ............................................................................................. 21 ADMINISTRATION DIVISION .................................................................................... 22 Role of the Division .................................................................................................. 22 Projects, Programs & Services ................................................................................ 22
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction and Purpose
This FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program summarizes projects and programs proposed for the Planning and Environmental Review Department for the upcoming fiscal year, considering both ongoing, existing commitments and potential new projects. It is intended to provide the City Council with an overview of the current work of the Department and an opportunity to consider and give direction concerning the Department’s future work.
The Annual Work Program creates a regular mechanism for Council to share ideas for new work efforts and discuss the Department’s work priorities. It encompasses the work of the two main Divisions, the Advance Planning Division and the Current Planning Division, as well as the Department’s Sustainability and Affordable Housing Implementation Programs and the Administration Division. Because the focus is on discretionary work, the Annual Work Program does not include Building & Safety Services, which are currently contracted out to Willdan based on bu ilding permits processed and not discretionary.
The Annual Work Program considers ho w the work of the Planning and Environmental Review Department proposed for the upcoming year will support the City’s Mission Statement and Core Values, as articulated in the City’s Strategic Plan. It furthermore is intended to serve as a basis for budget plan development.
In addition to full-time staff, the Department relies on consultants and contracted services to assist in its work. The Annual Work Program shows estimates of consultant cost by project, program, Division and the Department as a whole. Consultant time and cost estimates are in addition to full-time staff. Staff has attempted to estimate the value of the consultant services in terms of staff equivalents to demonstrate the value of such services. Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) for consultant/contract staff assistance are estimated based on cost estimates by Division/Program using average hourly rates. For purposes of FTE equivalency calculations, consultant costs are based on fiscal year expenditures, where possible. Where not available, consultant contract totals are used.
Department Staffing and Organizational Structure
Recent Changes
The PER Department is once again now fully staffed. In the current fiscal year , the Department was able to fill the following vacant positions: Code Compliance Officer in the Current Planning Division. In the Administrative Division, the PER Commission Clerk position created in the last budget cycle is being shifted to the City Clerk’s Office and the PER Department will be seeking budget approval to hire a ½-time administrative assistant to perform required noticing work.
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Current Staffing
Available staff capacity is a fundamental constraint on the work that PER can undertake at any given time. Many projects are multi -year efforts, which are still in process and require a continued commitment of resources. Taking on new projects is possible only to the extent that staff capacity becomes available through the comp letion of existing commitments or new staffing resources are dedicated.
As a basic principle, the Annual Work Program seeks to utilize City staff fully first and to rely on consultants and contract plann ing services only when City staff capacity is completely committed. The Annual Work Program also recognizes that use of consultants and contractors may be appropriate to meet workload demands generated by projects of a one-time or short-term nature that exceed available capacity of full-time City staff. The use of outside consultants to assist the Department is constrained by Department budget and also by the finite capacity of managers to manage consultant work in addition to full- time staff.
The Annual Work Program is preliminary to the City’s two-year budget plan adoption. It assumes a total of 20.0 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) available, consisting of 4.0 FTEs in Advance Planning, 10.50 FTEs in Current Planning, 2.0 FTEs in the Sustainability Program, 1.0 FTE in the Affordable Housing Implementation Program and 2.5 FTE in the Administration Division . In addition to full -time staff, the Department is supported by consultants and contract services. The summary below does not count interns or fellowship program participants.
PER staff is currently organized into six main divisions as follows : Advance Planning, Current Planning, Building & Safety , Sustainability, Affordable Housing Implementation and Administration.
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Advance Planning
FULL-TIME POSITIONS FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Advance Planning Manager 1.0
Supervising Senior Planner 1.0
Senior Planner 1.0
Assistant Planner 1.0
TOTAL FTEs 4.0
CONSULTANT / CONTRACT SERVICES
Consultant – RRM Title 17 Zoning and Local Coastal
Program support services
Consultant – Robert Brown Engineers Ellwood Onshore Facility, and Platform Holly onshore facilities
inspection and monitoring services.
Consultant – JDL Mapping GIS data and mapping services
Consultant – ICF General Plan technical editing and
formatting services
Consultant – Storrer Environmental
Services
Environmental monitoring and
compliance services for oil and gas
projects, beach hazards removal
monitoring and other projects as
needed
Consultant – Johnson Aviation Aviation consulting services for Airport impact analysis and planning
document review
Consultant – Veronica Tam and
Associates
Housing policy and planning
services
Consultant – CSI Magnet Permit Tracking System
Consultant – De Novo Environmental Justice Policy and
General Plan State Law Updates
Consultant – Bay Area Economics (BAE) Housing Element Implementation
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Current Planning
FULL-TIME POSITIONS FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Current Planning Manager 1.0
Supervising Senior Planners 2.0
Senior Planner 1.0
Assistant-Associate Planners 3.0
Planning Technician 1.0
Code Compliance Officer 2.0
Office Assistant 0.5
TOTAL FTEs 10.5
CONTRACT SERVICES
Contract Services - Ordinance work only
Contract Services - Project Planning (various)
Building & Safety
The employees listed below work for Willdan, a consultant that provides Building and Safety Services under contract to the City.
CONTRACTED FULL-TIME POSITIONS (WILLDAN) FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Building Official 1.0
Building Inspector 1.0
Building Technician 1.5
Assistant Plan Checker 1.0
TOTAL EFFECTIVE FTEs 4.5
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Sustainability Program
FULL-TIME POSITIONS FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Sustainability Manager 1.0
Sustainability Management Analyst 1.0
TOTAL EFFECTIVE FTEs 2.0
Affordable Housing Implementation
FULL-TIME POSITION FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Senior Housing Analyst 1.0
CONTRACT POSITIONS
TOTAL EFFECTIVE FTEs 1.0
Department Administration
FULL-TIME POSITIONS FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENT
(FTE)
Department Director 1.0
Management Assistant 1.0
Administrative Assistant 0.5
TOTAL EFFECTIVE FTEs 2.5
Department Total: 20.0 regular City employees + 4.5 Building & Safety Willdan employees (25 FTE total).
Other contract and consultant services capacity = approximately 4.0 FTE
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Figure 1: Planning and Environmental Review Department Structure
Workload Considerations
The Advance Planning Division continues to be engaged with several important work efforts, including statutorily mandated General Plan and Title 17 amendments and the Local Coastal Program . Additionally, Advance Planning staff continues to oversee and implement 2023-2031 Housing Element programs. Advance Planning staff tracks and prepare statutorily mandated General Plan updates, including amendments to the Safety Elementand Open Space Element, and new Environmental Justice policies. The Division also prepared the Climate Action Plan , Coastal Hazards Vulnerability Assessment , Community Wildfire Protection Plan , Ellwood Mesa Open Space Plan, and Creek and Watershed Management Plan , all of which support the Local Coastal Program certification efforts. The Division continues to implement the Beach Hazards Removal Project and to oversee Platform Holly and Ellwood Onshore Facility decommissioning.
Division staff participate in regional planning work efforts and comment on other agency project environmental documents, an important role as the City’s neighboring jurisdictions build out, affecting the Goleta community.
The Current Planning Division has seen an uptick in new permit applications, including for a number of large projects . With the lifting of the water moratorium by Goleta Water District and the adoption of the Housing Element, Current Planning expects to re ceive 12 10
and begin processing a number of permit applications for new housing projects. Progress on the close-out of old permit files continues as staff works on this task while continuing with regular assignments. The new Historic Preservation Commission is now seated and meeting regularly.
The Sustainability Program continues to work through an ambitious list of projects of citywide importance . The Program is focused on the City’s Strategic Energy Plan implementation, including installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at City Hall and other City facilities, research and adoption of building and energy Reach Codes, and evaluating City facilities for renewable energy generation and storage to increase climate resiliency. The program is also implementing the City’s comprehensive plastic pollution reduction ordinance (Plastic Free Goleta) and conducting additional public outreach to further sustainability education and awareness throughout the community through “Go Green Goleta”.
The Affordable Housing Implementation Program, in addition to its core responsibilities of managing the existing affordable housing inventory, assuring new affordable unit policy compliance, and administering tenant protection programs, expects to complete Density Bonus Procedures and is working to revise a Tenant Protection Ordinance and continues to provide technical assistance to affordable housing projects. Development of a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Finance Plan (CAHFP) is next on deck.
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ADVANCE PLANNING DIVISION
Role of the Division
Advance Planning is responsible for the development and maintenance of the City’s General Plan, Local Coastal Program, Housing Element, and zoning regulations. The Division oversees the City’s oil and gas planning, climate action planning, environmental programs, and geographic information systems/spatial data. Important to this division are regional planning efforts with other cities, agencies, neighborhoods, businesses, and civic groups.
Programs/Ongoing Work Efforts
Table 1 below lists the ongoing responsibilities, work efforts, and programs that the Advance Planning Division carries out on a day -to-day basis. The table also does not reflect any work efforts associated with responding to and managing unplanned or emergency events.
Table 1: Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities
Administrative
Interdepartmental coordination and support
Supervision
Performance evaluations
Budgeting
Facilitate interdepartmental monthly meetings for housing and GIS Grant writing and management
Contract management
Website management
Respond to public inquiries regarding General Plan, etc.
Required Services
Maintain General Plan and Title 17 Zoning Regulations1
Track planning legislation and State guidance documents General Plan Annual Progress Report (prior to April each year) Department of Finance and HCD Annual Housing Survey Forms Department of Finance Annual Boundary/Annexation Survey in June each year CIP - Annual General Plan Conformity Determination (prior to budget adoption) Coordinate and manage GIS to implement regulations, policies, and maps Intergovernmental relations and coordination with Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, UCSB, LAFCO, County, City of Santa Barbara, Airport, and special districts on projects/future growth and planning issues Comment on other agency documents and projects that affect the City SBCAG liaison
1 Round 6 Title 17 amendments will address State law changes, including SB 450 amending SB 9, SB 1123 ministerial review for certain subdivisions, AB 2553 major transit stop definition, AB 2904 noticing requirements, SB 1395 low barrier navigation center definition, AB 2085 community clinic regulations, and other cleanups.
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Energy/Oil and Gas Programs
Platform Holly and EOF decommissioning, coordination with State Lands Commission and other resource agencies. Coordinate EOF permitting and decommissioning with City staff, property owner, and the EOF Decommissioning Interagency Working Group.
Permit, oversee, and coordinate with State Lands Commission for the removal of remnant oil and gas beach hazards
Miscellaneous oil and gas projects
General Plan Amendments
Initiate and process City-initiated GPA’s
Zoning Regulations and Ordinances
Coordinate Title 17 interpretations, track potential Title 17 revisions, and process amendments
Key Accomplishments and Milestones
Over the past fiscal year, the Advance Planning Division can point to several complete and near-complete significant project accomplishments as shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Key Accomplishments & Project Milestones FY 2024-25 Project Status
2024 General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Progress
Report and submittal to the State Office of Planning &
Research and HCD
Completed
Adoption of Title 17 Zoning Round 5 Amendments for
Housing Element Implementation, Minor Revisions,
and State Law consistency
Completed
Adoption of General Plan and Title 17 Amendments for
Housing Element Implementation
Completed
Adoption of Title 17 Amendments for ADU (Urgency
and Regular Ordinances)
Completed
Ellwood Onshore Facility ownership transfer,
decommissioning planning, and interagency
coordination
Completed
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) Aircraft Noise Reduction
Action Plan coordination
Completed
Santa Barbara LAFCO Municipal Service Review for
Parks, Recreation, and Library Services
Completed
Santa Barbara LAFCO Sphere of Influence Boundary
Change Initiation
Completed
Monitoring of County Long-Range Planning (Housing
Element, Ag Enterprise Ordinance)
Completed
State Law-Required General Plan Amendments –
Safety Element, Open Space Element, New
Environmental Justice Policies and Title 17
Amendments
Projected August 2025
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Add food markets/bodegas as allowed use in I-BP (per
Council direction on 10/15/24). Expected to be
completed with the Environmental Justice Policy
Amendments.
Projected August 2025
Housing Element Implementation for Short-term
Vacation Rentals, Underused Housing Stock, Local
Housing Preference, Affordable Housing Design
Projected October 2025
Division Projects for FY 2025-26
The Advance Planning Division projects for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects
Projects
1 Local Coastal Program development and amendments to the General Plan and the Goleta Municipal Code
2 Implement Required Housing Element Programs
3 STVR Research and Ordinance Amendments
4 LAFCO Sphere of Influence Boundary Change application 5 Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) Aircraft Noise Reduction Action Plan Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity
The Advance Planning Division potential long-range projects are listed in Table 4 below.
Table 4: Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity 6 Battery Storage Comprehensive Approach
7 Update Climate Action/Resiliency and Coastal Hazards/Sea Level Rise Plans 8 Transportation Element Update
9 Tree Protection Ordinance
10 Citywide Design Guidelines
11 South Kellogg Industrial Area Evaluation (LU-IA-6)
12 Revisit General Plan Amendment (GPA) Initiation Process 13 Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance (General Plan LU-IA-5) 14 S. La Patera Specific Plan
15 Ekwill St. Extension Rezone
16 Transportation Element GPA to address truck routes per AB 98 by 1/1/28 17 Safety Element GPA to address extreme heat per AB 2684 (2028) 18 Old Town Visioning Process
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CURRENT PLANNING DIVISION
Role of the Division
The Current Planning Division has primary responsibility for the processing of permit applications, both ministerial and discretionary, for current development project proposals. It is tasked with carrying out these p ermit processes in an efficient, fair, consistent, and timely manner, supported by the best currently available technology.
The Current Planning Division has successfully completed the permitting of several high- profile projects this past year. The Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 2022 and implementation is underway with the formation of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) . The HPC has already reviewed a number of proposed projects involving historic resources.
Projects & Programs
Table 5: Current Planning Division, Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities for FY 2025- 26 Required Services/Administrative
Design Review Board Secretary
Historic Preservation Commission Secretary
Plan and permit scanning
Historic Resources evaluation
Magnet Permit Tracking System management
Supervision
Performance Evaluations
Budgeting
Development Services and Project Permitting
Project Permitting (Ministerial and Discretionary)
Code Compliance
Significant Current Planning Division accomplishments in 2024-25 are listed in Table 6:
Table 6: Key Accomplishments and Project Milestones FY 2024-25 Projects
Status
Processing of permit applications for numerous development projects. Highlights include the Sandpiper Golf Course EIR consultant selection and Notice of Preparation; planning consultations for Housing Element sites; SB Humane Zoning Clearances; Heritage Ridge condition compliance; Los
Carneros GPA: Sywest industrial building
Completed
Code Comp liance implementation and effective resolution of high-profile Zoning Enforcement and Compliance cases.
Completed
SB 379 Solar Permitting Compliance Completed
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Magnet - Blue Beam Integration Contract Completed
AB 1332 ADU Pre-approved Plans Completed
Substantial progress on South Kellogg Industrial Area
Compliance Program (59 Depot Rd.)
Completed
The Current Planning Division projects for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 7 below.
Table 7: Current Planning Division, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects
Projects
1 South Kellogg Industrial Area Compliance Program
2 Update CEQA Guidelines
The Current Planning Division potential long-range projects are listed in Table 8 below.
Table 8: Current Planning, Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity 3 Story Pole Guidelines/visual sim procedures per GP VH-IA-3 4 Update of CEQA Thresholds of Significance
5 Development of a Permit Procedures Manual
6 VMT Sketch Planning Tool Update (following PW traffic model update) 18 16
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
Role of the Program
The City’s Sustainability Program strives to create a healthy, resilient, and sustainable city by addressing a range of special projects and programs intended to further goals of sustainability, especially with respect to renewable energy and climate resiliency.
Projects & Programs
The Sustainability Program expected day-to-day staff responsibilities for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 9 below.
Table 9: Sustainability Program, Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities for FY 2025-26 Administrative
Supervision
Budgeting
City Council Energy/Green Issues Standing Committee Liaison Grant Writing and Management
Contract Management
RFPs for Sustainability Projects
Equitable Outreach through Public Engagement Channels
Projects
Participation in Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative (including new position on the Steering Committee) and Central Coast Community Energy work groups
Staff liaison to Green Business Program & Green Business Program Alliance (Steering Committee Member), Southern California Regional Energy Network, Tri-County Regional Energy Network, Central Coast Sustainability Summit (Steering Committee Member)
State/federal programs including CivicWell National Service Program Partnership, Beacon Program, and regulatory updates
Statewide and National Membership Participation including Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, Green Cities California (Steering Committee Member), Urban Sustainability Directors Network, & U.S. Green Building Council
Strategic Energy and 100% Renewable Electricity Plan Implementation Administration of SCE Charge Ready Program grant for electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment at City Hall (~$250,000 value) Administration of APCD Grants for EV Chargers
Administration of Central Coast Community Energy incentives & rebates Provide updated information to the public on Electric Vehicles and EV Charger incentives and rebates
Implementation of Plastic Polluti on Reduction Ordinance and associated community outreach (Plastic Free Goleta)
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Provide updated information to the public on building electrification rebates and incentives
Provide outreach and education opportunities to the public through tabling events, workshops, and “lunch ‘n learns”
Key Sustainability Program major accomplishments in 2024-25 are listed in Table 10 below.
Table 10: Sustainability Program, Key Accomplishments and Project Milestones FY 2024-25
Projects
Status
Adoption of EV Reach Code Completed
Adoption of EV Reach Code Amendment – Hospital Exemption Completed Explore Shared Micro-mobility (Bikeshare) Feasibility Completed City Hall Green Business Re-certification Completed
City Hall EV charging station infrastructure project construction Completed New Construction Building Electrification: Evaluate Reach Code Options & Policy Development Completed
Building Electrification - Energy Performance Reach Code Adoption
Projected May
2025
Existing Building Electrification: Permit Fee Waiver Program Adoption by City Council
Projected June
2025
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The Sustainability Program projects for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 11 below.
Table 11: Sustainability Program, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects
Projects
1 Implement Energy Performance Reach Code
2 Existing Building Electrification: Develop & Implement Heat Pump Permit Fee Waiver Program
3 Update Reach Code for the 2025 Building Code Cycle
4 Identify & Pursue City’s EV Charging Station Opportunities 5 Evaluate Microgrid and Solar Opportunities and Feasibility at City Facilities (Community Center, City Hall, Library)
The Sustainability potential long-range projects are listed in Table 12 below.
Table 12: Sustainability Program, Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity
6 Develop Public-Facing Sustainability & Climate Action Progress Report 7 Develop Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (including Climate Vulnerability Analysis and Strategic Energy Plan update)
8 GHG Emissions Inventory (2025 data, community and municipal) 9 Go Green Goleta Public Education Series
10 Collaborate with Environmental Services on climate change planning as part of Goleta’s Creeks and Management Program
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
Role of the Program
The Affordable Housing Implementation Program provides a dedicated focus on meeting the City’s long-term responsibilities with respect to affordable housing. While the Advance Planning Division develops high-level housing policy and long-range plans such as how the City should accommodate its share of regional housing needs in the Housing Element, this Program implements the housing policy to create , maintain, and enforce the affordability of housing units in the City. It also ensures consistent application of and compliance with affordable housing regulations and informs tenants and landlords of rights and protections.
In particular, important duties of th e Program include (1) managing and monitoring the inventory of existing affordable housing units, including rental housing units, (2) overseeing the creation and sale or rental of new affordable units to assure fair and consistent application of City rules, (3) annually updating and publishing: housing in-lieu fee amounts , non -residential affordable housing development impact fee amounts , household income limits, maximum sale prices for deed -restricted ownership units, and maximum rent amounts for deed-restricted rental units, (4) managing the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund deposits and expenditures and prepar ing a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Finance Plan (CAHFP) to guide how funds will be applied to create or preserve below-market units, and ( 5) promoting tenant protections, including Fair Housing Act provisions and rental housing mediation.
Projects & Programs
Current projects and required affordable housing implementation services are listed below along with recommendations for potential new projects for Program staff to undertake.
The development and adoption of an Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures Manual was completed in the prior fiscal year . The City also adopted a Tenant Protections Urgency Ordinance in December 2023 , and we anticipate receiving direction from the Ordinance Review Standing Committee on future ordinance revisions before the end of the fiscal year.
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The Affordable Housing Implementation Program expected day-to-day staff responsibilities for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 13 below.
Table 13: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities for FY 2025-26
Administrative
Interdepartmental coordination and support
Budgeting
Contract management
Regional housing communication and coordination
Required Services
Respond to public inquiries regarding housing programs, fair housing, etc.
Provide reviews, comments, and conditions on pending development projects Calculate project requirements per City inclusionary policy and state density bonus law
Maintain an affordable housing interest list
Maintain/update inventory of existing affordable housing units Manage/report on Affordable Housing Trust Fund for creation and preservation of affordable housing units
Implement housing-related required programs in the adopted Housing Element
Housing Administration/Preservation
Ensure new affordable units meet City requirements via covenant/deed restriction Conduct compliance monitoring of affordable rental housing units Manage consultant for compliance monitoring of affordable ownership housing units Manage contract for first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance loans Monitor/renegotiate existing housing covenants to preserve affordable housing Oversee income documentation, eligibility calculations, and public housing lotteries Review/approve purchases, sales, and refinances of new and existing affordable housing units
Mobile Home Park Preservation: enforce rent-increase protections; assist park residents with researching financing options and review annual rental reports (Rancho Estates Mobile Home Park)
Fair Housing & Tenant Protections
Provide information on fair housing and tenant rights under federal, State, and local regulations, including anti-discrimination laws
Rental housing mediation of landlord-tenant disputes via City of Santa Barbara contract services
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Significant Affordable Housing Implementation Program accomplishments in 2024-25 are listed in Table 14 below.
Table 14: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Key Accomplishments and Project Milestones FY 2024-25
Project Status
Implementation of the Rancho Goleta Mobile Home Park
Development Agreement Projected May 2025
Density Bonus Procedures and Timelines adoption. Projected May 2025 Resolution of Notice of Default (for out of compliance
property owner overcharging low-income tenants) Projected May2025 Housing Element Program Implementation Ongoing
The Affordable Housing Implementation Program projects for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 15 below.
Table 15: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects
Projects
1 Local Housing Preference Policy Implementation
2 Tenant Protection Ordinance Amendments
The Affordable Housing Implementation Program potential long-range projects are listed in Table 16 below.
Table 16: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity
3 Prepare a Housing Trust Fund and Comprehensive Affordable Housing Finance Plan (CAHFP)
4 Update to Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance
5 Draft Covenant Templates (Agreement to Provide Affordable Housing, Regulatory Agreement, Resale)
6 Development of Informational Materials for City Housing Requirements
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ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
Role of the Division
The PER Administration Division includes three existing positions (Department Director, Management Assistant and 1/2-time Administrative Assistant , which carry Department - wide duties and responsibilities. The Division is chiefly tasked with departmental management responsibilities and support functions, including overall Department direction and coordination , agenda management and calendar ing, budgeting, and invoicing, personnel matters, departmental representation, and public outreach. As time allows and Departmental needs require, the Department Director, Management Assistant and/or Administrative Assistant may also take on special, department -wide projects or assist other Department divisions or the City Manager with speci al projects and assignments.
Projects, Programs & Services
The table below lists projects , programs and services currently being undertaken or provided by the Administrative Division . It provides an estimate of the staff time per project, program, or service in the current fiscal year. 25 23
The Administration Division expected day-to-day staff responsibilities for FY 2025-26 are listed in Table 17 below.
Table 17: Administration Division, Day-to-Day Staff Responsibilities for FY 2025- 26 Administrative and Required Services
Planning Commission Hearing Support Recording Clerk/Minutes/Commission support
Historic Preservation Commission and Design Review Board Hearing Support Recording Clerk/ Minutes/Commission and Board support
Zoning Administrator
Interdepartmental and interdivision coordination
Department supervision and direction
Annual Work Program
Personnel and performance evaluations
Budgeting and invoicing
Agenda management and calendaring
Contract management
Departmental support functions, file management
Department representation to Council and other agencies Noticing of public hearings
Other public outreach
Response to public inquiries
Developer Accounts support
Special Projects (as assigned)
26 ATTACHMENT 2:
Staff Presentation
27 FY 2025-26
ANNUAL WORK PROGRAM
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
DEPARTMENT
City Council Workshop
March 4, 2025
Presentation by:
Peter Imhof, Director
Anne Wells, Advance Planning Manager
Lisa Prasse, Current Planning Manager
Dana Murray, Sustainability Manager
Lucy Graham, Affordable Housing Implementation
Planning and Environmental Review Department
28 Purpose of Workshop
Update Council on existing work commitments and progress Review staffing and workload by Division/Program
Propose and consider potential new work projects
Discuss and set Planning and Environmental Review work priorities for
FY 2025-26
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 2 29 Workshop Agenda
Presentation
Questions from Council
Public commen
t on draft FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program
Council discussion,
feedback and direction
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 3 30 March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 4 Planning &
Environmental
Review
Department
Structure
31 5
Advance Planning Division
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 32 Advance Planning Division
4.0 FTEs
Responsibilities:
1. Administrative
2. Required Services
3. Energy/Oil and Gas Programs
4. General Plan Amendments and Ordinances
5. ‘Over the Border’ Matters
6. Environmental Programs and Plans
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 6 33 Advance Planning Division
Significant FY 24-25 Accomplishments:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 7 Adoption of General Plan and Title 17 Amendments for Housing Element Implementation Adoption of Title 17 Zoning Round 5 Amendments for Minor Revisions and State Law Consistency Adoption of Title 17 Amendments for ADUs (Urgency and Regular Ordinances) Ellwood Onshore Facility ownership transfer, decommissioning planning, and interagency coordination Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) Aircraft Noise Reduction Action Plan coordination Santa Barbara LAFCO Sphere of Influence Boundary Change Initiation and Municipal Service Review State Law-Required General Plan Amendments – Safety Element, Open Space Element, New Environmental Justice Policies and Title 17 Amendments (projected) Add food markets/bodegas as allowed use in I-BP (projected) 34 Advance Planning Division
Major Current Projects:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 8 Local Coastal Program - amendments General Plan and zoning Implement Required Housing Element Programs
STVR Research and Ordinance Amendments
LAFCO Sphere of Influence Boundary Change application
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) Aircraft Noise Reduction Action Plan 35 March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 9 Current Planning Division
36 Current Planning Division
10.5 FTEs
Responsibilities:
1. Required Services/Administrative
2. Development Services and Project Permitting
3. Special Projects/Process Improvement
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 10 37 Current Planning Division
Significant FY 24-25 Accomplishments:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 11 Processing of permit applications: Sandpiper Golf Course EIR consultant selection and NOP; planning consultations for Housing Element sites; SB Humane permitting; Heritage Ridge condition compliance; Los Carneros GPA: Sywest project
Code Compliance and effective resolution of high-profile Zoning Enforcement cases SB 379 Solar Permitting Implementation
AB 1332 ADU Pre-approved Plans Implementation
38 Current Planning Division
Major Current Projects (besides Permit Processing):
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 12 South Kellogg Industrial Area Compliance Program (59 Depot Rd.) Update of CEQA Guidelines
Permit file close-outs / digitization
39 March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 13 Sustainability Program
40 Sustainability Program
2.0 FTEs
Responsibilities:
• Special sustainability-related plans and projects
• Liaison to local, state and federal sustainability programs March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 14 41 Sustainability Program
Significant FY 24-25 Accomplishments:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 15 EV Reach Code Adoption + Amendment – Hospital Exemption New Building Electrification - Energy Performance Reach Code Adoption City Hall EV charging station infrastructure project construction City Hall Green Business Re-certification
Explore Shared Micro-mobility (Bikeshare) Feasibility
Existing Building Electrification: Permit Fee Waiver Program Adoption by City Council (projected) 42 Sustainability Program
Major Projects:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 16 Implement Energy Performance Reach Code
Existing Building Electrification: Develop & Implement Heat Pump Permit Fee Waiver Program
Update Reach Code for the 2025 Building Code Cycle
Identify & Pursue EV Charging Station,
Microgrid and Solar Opportunities and Feasibility at
City Facilities
43 March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 17 Affordable Housing
Implementation Program
44 Affordable Housing Implementation
1.0 FTE
Responsibilities:
• Implement affordable housing policy
• Develop, track and administer affordable housing units • Comprehensively manage internal and external sources of funding to support aff
ordable housing
• Enforce tenant protections under the Fair Housing Act and State and federal anti-discrimination
laws
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 18 45 Affordable Housing Implementation
Significant FY 24-25 Accomplishments:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 19 Implement Rancho Goleta Mobile Home Park Development Agreement Resolution of Notice of Default (for out of compliance property owner overcharging low- income tenants)
Density Bonus Procedures and Timelines adoption (projected) 46 Affordable Housing Implementation
Major Projects:
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 20 Local Housing Preference Policy Implementation
Tenant Protection Ordinance Amendments
47 Project Tables by Division/Program
Tables: Long-Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity Refer to Excel Spreadsheet
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 21 48 Recommendation
March 4, 2025 City Council Workshop - FY 2025-26 PER Annual Work Program 22 Discuss work priorities and FY 2025-26 Annual Work Program for the PER Department.
49 Table 3: Advance Planning Division, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects Notes 1 Local Coastal Program development and amendments to the General Plan and the Goleta Municipal Code
2 Implement Required Housing Element Programs
3 STVR Research and Ordinance Amendments
4 LAFCO Sphere of Influence Boundary Change application 5 Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) Aircraft Noise Reduction Action Plan Table 4: Advance Planning, Long Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacit y
6 Battery Storage Comprehensive Approach
7 Update Climate Action/Resiliency and Coastal Hazards/Sea Level Rise Plans 8 Transportation Element Update
9 Tree Protection Ordinance
10 Citywide Design Guidelines
11 South Kellogg Industrial Area Evaluation (LU-IA-6)
12 Revisit General Plan Amendment (GPA) Initiation Process 13 Transfer of Development Rights Ordinance (General Plan LU-IA-5) 14 S. La Patera Specific Plan
15 Ekwill St. Extension Rezone
16 Transportation Element GPA to address truck routes per AB 98 by 1/1/28 17 Safety Element GPA to address extreme heat per AB 2684 (2028) 18 Old Town Visioning Process Assigned lower priority per 2/18 Council Strat Plan discussion Projects
50 Table 7: Current Planning Division, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects Notes 1 South Kello gg Industrial Area Compliance Program
2 Update CEQA Guidelines
Table 8: Current Planning, Long Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity 3 Stor y Pole Guidelines/visual sim procedures per GP VH-IA-3 4 Update of CEQA Thresholds of Si gnificance
5 Development of a Permit Procedures Manual
6 VMT Sketch Plannin g Tool Update (following PW traffic model update) Projects
51 Table 11: Sustainability Program, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects Notes 1 Implement Ener gy Performance Reach Code
2 Existing Building Electrification: Develop & Implement Heat Pump Permit Fee Waiver Program
3 Update Reach Code for the 2025 Buildin g Code Cycle
4 Identif y & Pursue City’s EV Charging Station Opportunities 5 Evaluate Microgrid and Solar Opportunities and Feasibility at City Facilities (Community Center, Cit
y Hall, Library)
Table 12: Sustainability Program, Long Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity 6 Develop Public-Facin g Sustainability & Climate Action Progress Report 7 Develop Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (including Climate Vulnerability Analysis and Strategic Energy Plan update)
8 GHG Emissions Inventor y (2025 data, community and municipal) 9 Go Green Goleta Public Education Series
10 Collaborate with Environmental Services on climate change planning as part of Goleta’s Creeks and Mana
gement Program
Projects
52 Table 15: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projects Notes 1 Local Housin g Preference Policy Implementation
2 Tenant Protection Ordinance Amendments
3 Prepare a Housing Trust Fund and Comprehensive Affordable Housing Finance Plan (CAHFP) 4U pdate to Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance
5 Draft Covenant Templates (Agreement to Provide Affordable Housing, Regulatory Agreement, Resale)
6 Develo pment of Informational Materials for City Housing Requirements Table 16: Affordable Housing Implementation Program, Long Range Projects Contingent on Staff Capacity Projects
53