805.967.2500 | SBSCChamber.com
Mailing Address: 5662 Calle Real #204, Goleta, CA 93117 Visitor Center: 120 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 3/12/2026
Mayor Perotte and Members of the City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Re: Shelby Residential Project
Hello Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, representing business interests from Goleta to Carpinteria, is in support of the Shelby Single Family Residential Project. Lack of available housing supply continues to be a top challenge for local employers, their workforce, and the regional economy.
The Shelby project will add 56 much needed homes to a region of Goleta that is close to jobs, schools, parks, and public transit. Additionally, these units are a perfect fit to meet the workforce housing needs of the local technology and manufacturing companies our community is so proud of, and who are struggling with recruitment and retention difficulties directly tied to lack of housing supply. These units would easily serve these employees and their families. Not to mention the 20% of deed-restricted affordable units that will serve low-income residents, and are inclusively incorporated into the project as a whole.
This project’s density and home size are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and is a welcome addition to this area. The site is essentially entirely surrounded by residential zoning (given the County’s plans for Glen Annie). This project aligns with the State’s goals of focusing on and encouraging urban infill development. The project also addresses concerns regarding transportation impacts and fire safety head- on by including sidewalk and bike lane improvements, as well as utilizing fire-resistant materials, defensible space, undergrounded utilities and fire-wall break incorporated into the design.
This project has been in planning for nearly two decades, with the Chamber’s backing since the beginning, including zoning hearings during the City’s housing element process. Further delays of this project do not serve the community’s desperate need for more housing options. Please approve this thoughtfully designed, appropriately scaled, and legally compliant project that delivers the much needed workforce housing out community needs.
Sincerely,
Kristen Miller
President & CEO
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
1 Board of Directors Jon Standring, President Barry Taugher, Vice President Anthony Tomasello, Secretary Wes McRae, Treasurer Laura Benard Ellen Bildsten AIA Roxanna Bonderson Christopher Guillen Olivia Marr Krista Pleiser P.O. Box 1076 Santa Barbara CA 93102 (805) 570-1250 www.coastalhousingcoalition.org Fed Tax ID # 20-1652456 13 March 2026 To: City of Goleta – City Council Sent via email: City of Goleta Clerk [email protected] Subject: Coastal Housing Coalition Project Advocacy – Shelby Residential Project Dear Mayor Perotte and members of the Goleta City Council: The Coastal Housing Coalition (CHC) is a non-profit organization and the voice of local employers and employees in support of workforce housing. We believe that the lack of available, affordable housing in close proximity to jobs is adversely affecting our region’s economy, environment and civic life, all of which will worsen if we don’t address this crucial problem. CHC has a rigorous set of residential guidelines that we use to determine support for specific projects, including: 1. Ensure the project includes a mix of housing available to moderate to upper moderate-income households (120% -200% of area median income (AMI)); 2. Build at maximum allowed density to make the most efficient use of land, but keep unit sizes small as smaller units are generally less expensive to build and therefore more affordable by design; 3. Provide for mixed uses within a neighborhood, including housing, recreation, shopping and entertainment. 4. Design for neighborhood compatibility, and integrate or improve existing street patterns, open space and recreational opportunities and walkways/bicycle paths. 5. Utilize green building techniques; and 6. Solicit significant neighborhood and community input. After reviewing the project, the Coastal Housing Coalition is pleased to endorse the Shelby Residential Project. 2 We understand this project comes to the community as a Builder’s Remedy application and because of that inherent process, we understand there may be potential hesitation regarding local control. However, the merit of the project brings many benefits to the community, providing much needed housing consistent with the surrounding area. One of the most important aspects of the Shelby project is the opportunity it creates for real housing equity in our community. For many families who live and work here, homeownership has become completely out of reach. Projects like Shelby change that by creating homes that allow people who contribute to this community every day to finally put down permanent roots here. Nearly twenty percent of these homes will be deed-restricted affordable housing, meaning that teachers, healthcare workers, young families, and members of our local workforce will have a real opportunity to purchase a home in the City of Goleta. That kind of opportunity is becoming incredibly rare on the South Coast. Moreover, we are particularly pleased that of the total 11 deed-restricted affordable units, 3 of those units will be available to households earning 120%-200% of AMI. But the benefit doesn’t stop there. When someone moves into one of these homes, it often opens another door - a rental unit becomes available, or older starter home becomes attainable for the next family. Housing mobility creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire community. Approving Shelby isn’t just about building homes. It’s about making sure that the people who work here, serve here, and raise their families here can remain part of this community. On behalf of local employers and thousands of employees affected by our housing crisis, we would like to thank the Goleta City Council for its time and consideration. We respectfully request the Goleta City Council approve this thoughtfully designed, appropriately scaled, for-sale housing project that delivers real affordable units in an appropriate infill location. Sincerely, Craig Minus Executive Director
City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive
Goleta, California 93117 12 March 2026
Subject: Comments on Shelby Residential Development Project EIR, Case No. 05-154-VTM- DP-DRB, APN 073-150-025, 7400 Cathedral Oaks Road, Goleta.
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
Our family has lived at 292 King James Court since its construction in 2001. Our house is directly across Cathedral Oaks Road (CO Road) from the proposed Shelby development. We realize that because this project qualifies for the so-called “Builder’s Remedy” protections in the California Housing Accountability Act, local control over guidelines that normally direct municipal planning is substantially constrained. However, we have concerns with certain aspects of the project that could significantly affect the neighborhood.
Obstruction of Views : The project is located along a Local Scenic Corridor (Cathedral Oaks Road). General Plan Policy VH 1.8 states that, “Project development and architecture shall be considerate of private views…”. The before and after photo-simulations in the EIR show the development from perspectives well down CO Road east and west of the parcel . They do not represent how we, our neighbors, and the public at large currently view the panorama or after the development is constructed. Private and public mountain views will be all but obliterated by the two-story residences proposed for Lots 31, 32, 34, and 36 along CO Road . Exacerbating this situation is the fact that residences along the southern frontage will be constructed on several feet of existing fill soil . The story poles now in place on the parcel demonstrate that two-story structures will tower over the public ROW and block existing mountain views (see attached photo).
We are requesting that the two-story residences proposed for Lots 31, 32, 34, and 36 be moved further northward into the development and that one -story residences be constructed on the frontage lots. Additionally, excavating the fill soil will lower all of the frontage residences to existing street elevations. We’re not asking for denial of the project, just that the applicant be a good neighbor and move the two-story structures away from CO Road and lower the base elevation of the residences there in order to preserve public and private views.
Distribution of Deed-Restricted Lots: Eleven lots in the development will be deed -restricted.
All of them are located in the southern half of the development and nearly 50% of them are proposed for five of the eight lots bordering CO Road. Please consider requiring a more equable distribution of deed-restricted lots throughout the development so that they are not clustered in the southern half of the development or along CO Road.
Cumulative Impact Analysis Regarding GWD Water Service to the Project. The Cumulative Impacts section in the Utilities and Service Systems chapter of the EIR (top of p. 4.13-16), states that, “The GWD UWMP estimates a population project ion of 34,300 for Goleta by 2040 (GWD 2 2021). The City has an average of 2.59 persons per household (California Department of Finance 2025). Based on the addition of 534 residential units [our emphasis] in addition to the proposed project’s 56 residential units, cumulative growth in Goleta would increase Goleta’s population to 34,173 residents [arithmetic error?], which would be within the growth projections of the GWD UWMP.” The ‘534 residential units’ app
ears to be a typographical error referrin g to the Glen Annie Golf Course Project, which actually proposes 1,534 residential units. If so, the conclusion in the EIR as to cumulative impacts is incorrect. The EIR states the current population is 32,747.
Therefore,
the addition of 56 units from the Shelby project, plus 1,534 units from the Glen Annie Golf Course project, times 2.59 persons/unit, means that cumulative growth from both projects will increase the population from 32,747 to 36,865 persons, which would appear to exceed the GWD growth projection of 34,300 persons. Although the Shelby project alone is within GWD UWMP projections, cumulative impacts on population growth from the projects taken together, exceeds projections.
This apparent error is repeated in the CEQA Findings on p. 160 in the Utilities and Service Systems section and should be addressed.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our concerns with this project.
Sincerely,
Lawrence E. Hunt and Cynthia B. Hofmann
292 King James Court
Goleta, California 93117
Email: [email protected]
attachment:
3 View of proposed two-story structures on Lots 34 (near) and 29 (behind it), and a one-story structure on Lot 30 (at right edge) from our backyard, looking northeast. Note that the Lot 29 structure, because it is set back from CO Road, do es not intrude into the skyline. CO Road (not visible here) passes between the pepper tree hedge running through the center of the photo and the wall/fence in the foreground. Photo taken 15 January 2026.
(805) 692-2768 | 5385 Hollister Ave, Bldg 8, STE 108 | Santa Barbara, CA 93111 biosb.com
May 13th, 2026
Mayor Perotte and Members of the City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Re: Shelby Residential Project
Dear Mayor Perotte and Council Members,
On behalf of Bio SB, Inc., I am writing to express support for the proposed Shelby Residential Project.
Like many employers in the Goleta area, we face ongoing challenges related to housing availability for our workforce. Many employees would prefer to live closer to where they work, but limited housing options in the region can make that difficult. Increasing the supply of housing in our community helps support workforce stability and gives employees more opportunities to live near their jobs.
The Shelby project will contribute additional homes in a location that is close to employment centers, schools, and other community amenities. Projects like this can help provide more options for the local workforce and support the continued vitality of Goleta’s business community.
We appreciate the City’s continued work to address housing needs while maintaining the character of the community. For these reasons, Bio SB supports the Shelby Residential Project and encourages the City Council to approve it.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alfonso Heras
Founder & CSO
(805) 692-2768 [email protected]
Bio SB Product Catalog
March 9th, 2026
Goleta City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Re: Shelby Residential Project
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
As the owner of the Camino Real Marketplace, I work everyday with large and small businesses located here in Goleta. Much of their success is attributable to their employees, and the closer these employees and owners can live to their workplace the better it is for their families and the overall community. I think we can all agree that more supply is the ultimate solution to the housing challenges.
That is why I support approval of the Shelby Residential Housing Project at 7400 Cathedral Oaks Road. There are several reasons for this support:
First, it’s been a long time coming. This reasonable proposal for attractive housing should not have taken over 25 years to reach the City Council for a vote. One reason that developing new housing has not met the demand and need in our community is a result of past policies and political decisions. It is now time to change that and we should start with approving the Shelby residential project.
Second, the City of Goleta lost in Superior Court. The Santa Barbara Superior Court ruled in favor of processing the project, and even California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief supporting this development. Most importantly, how much money has the City of Goleta spent in legal fees to fight this project? What is the total amount fighting this project has cost the taxpayers? I am sure that I, as well as many other taxpayers and citizens of Goleta, would like to know the amount that the City Council has spent or will lose to fight a development that provides more housing in our community.
Finally, this is a great project. The Shelby project looks great and is compatible with the adjacent neighborhoods and the overall area. It is noteworthy that nearly all of the homes are very reasonably sized by modern standards (at 1800-2300 sq. ft.), making them as affordable as possible. Equally remarkable is the fact that 20% of the units are in the state affordable housing categories; these are not apartments but single family houses which is a rarity. Great schools, parks and bike paths and bus stops are nearby. And obviously the best retail center on the South Coast, the Camino Real Marketplace is just minutes away.
I have personally spent the last several years working to bring a world class medical facility to Goleta and know that housing for their employees will be a major issue. that I urge you to vote yes and approve the Shelby project on March 17
th.
Sincerely,
Mark D. Linehan
From: Nicholas Norman
To: Nicholas Norman
Subject: FW: March 17, 2026 City Coun il meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 9:07:04 AM
From: april reid <[email protected]>
Date: March 17, 2026 at 6:21:23 PM PDT
To: Peter Imhof <[email protected]>, Stuart Kasdin <[email protected]>, Paula Perotte <[email protected]>, Jennifer Smith <[email protected]>, James Kyriaco <[email protected]>, Luz Reyes-Martin <lreyes-
[email protected]>
Subject: March 17, 2026 City Coun il meeting
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mr. Imhof and City Council:
I have been trying for over a half hour to join the City Council meeting but, not surprisingly, you will not let me join. I have heart failure and diabetic wounds on the bottom of my feet, and I just got out of the hospital again, so I am not supposed to travel outside my house except to the doctor.
I want to say the following about Shelby, some of which I have said before:
A month or so ago, the Mayor said at a meeting that there were no Builder's Remedy projects in Goleta after I said the City Council should have passed the list of projects in a timely manner for the State. Yet, Shelby is a Builder's Remedy project. So, clearly, you all did not pass the list of projects in a timely manner.
Most of you ran on being slow growth, yet you voted for the monstrosity on Kenwood Village. Councilmember Kyriaco said if Shelby is passed, then you may not have to build on Kenwood. Please make sure Shelby is passed properly so you do not have to build on Kenwood. I will point out that The Independent said you now have enough houses to satisfy the State with the inclusion of Shelby.
Also, I already mentioned that Cathedral Oaks is a wider street than Calle Real at Kenwood Village. There was even a death on Kenwood Village in the last few months. Shelby also has a wildlife corridor, unlike Kenwood.
April Reid
15 Baker Lane
Goleta, Ca. 93117
(805) 968-5496