Revised YTD Encum- Remaining Percent of Previous
Budget Actual brances Balance Budget YTD
REVENUES
Service Charges 47,660,583 12,270,122 - 35,390,461 25.7% 9,815,136 Investment Income - 2,226 - (2,226) 0.0% -
Grants - 21,060 - (21,060) 0.0% -
TOTAL REVENUES 47,660,583 12,293,408 - 35,367,175 25.8% 9,815,136
EXPENSES
Salaries & Benefits 527,742 132,283 - 395,459 25.1% 56,767 Materials, Supplies & Services 37,149,413 6,697,809.96 1,142,503 29,309,100 21.1% 6,672,931 Special Projects 1,384,649 337,301 9,514 1,037,834 25.0% 298,639 Debt Service 34,695 - - 34,695 0.0% -
Other 476,606 - - 476,606 0.0% -
TOTAL EXPENSES 39,573,105 7,167,394 1,152,017 31,253,694 21.0% 7,028,337 Revenue Less Expense 8,087,478 5,126,014 (1,152,017) 4,113,481 2,786,798
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
Interim Statement of Revenues and Expenditures
For Four Months Ended October 31, 2023 ( 33.3% of Fiscal Year)
SANTA BARBARA CLEAN ENERGY FUND
Revised YTD Encum- Remaining Percent of Previous
Budget Actual brances Balance Budget YTD
REVENUES
Service charges 3,014,426 947,948 - 2,066,478 31.4% 850,856 Grants 1,606 - - 1,606 0.0% -
Miscellaneous 62,000 23,808 - 38,192 38.4% -
TOTAL REVENUES 3,078,032 971,756 - 2,106,276 31.6% 850,856
EXPENSES
Salaries & Benefits 916,003 255,334 - 660,669 27.9% 181,025 Materials, Supplies & Services 2,377,971 571,481 165,105 1,641,385 31.0% 388,608 Special Projects 313,022 10,093 123,322 179,607 42.6% - Debt Service - - - - 0.0% 8,047
Capital Outlay Transfers - - - - 0.0% 145
Equipment 300 426 - (126) 141.9% -
TOTAL EXPENSES 3,607,296 837,333 288,427 2,481,535 31.2% 577,825 Revenue Less Expense (529,264) 134,423 (288,427) (375,260) 273,031 Miscellaneous
NOTE-These figures reflect the operating fund only. Though the capital fund is excluded, the current year contribution from the operating fund is shown in the Capital Transfers.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
Interim Statement of Revenues and Expenditures
For Four Months Ended October 31, 2023 ( 33.3% of Fiscal Year)
ENERGY AND CLIMATE MANAGEMENT FUND
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Water Resources Division, Public Works Department SUBJECT: Water Service Line Inventory for Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute a City Professional Services Agreement with 120Water, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $206,450 for services to develop an inventory of public and private water service line materials as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.
DISCUSSION:
Background
On January 15, 2021, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) published the Lead Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). Through the LCRR, US EPA requires all community water systems to develop a comprehensive inventory of both publicly owned and privately owned water service line materials “regardless of ownership.” For the City water system, the publicly owned portion of the service line extends from the water main to the City-owned water meter, and the private service line extends from the City-owned water meter to the building inlet location. The LCRR requires water systems to survey all privately owned and publicly owned service lines and identify any lead, galvanized steel pipe requiring replacement, or “lead status unknown” service lines.
Because the City’s water system serves more than 50,000 people, the LCRR also requires the City to make the inventory publicly available online. The inventory is subject to the approval of the California Division of Drinking Water (DDW) within the State Water Resources Control Board.
Project Description
The primary objectives of the project are to review existing records to determine service line material, identify unknowns, and reduce and/or eliminate unknowns through a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, direct customer outreach, field investigations, stratified random sampling, predictive modeling, and interpolation. The project will result Agenda Item No. 18
File Code No. 540.01
Council Agenda Report
Water Service Line Inventory for Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
in an online data repository and LCRR-compliant service line inventory, which will be submitted to the DDW by October 16, 2024.
In September 2023, the City received proposals from firms to provide services to build the service line inventory for compliance with the LCRR. 120Water, Inc. (120Water) was selected through a Request for Proposals process in which staff solicited proposals from qualified bidders. A total of three proposals were received, and 120Water was selected as the most qualified firm to provide these services.
120Water offers a cloud-based software as a service platform known as “120Water PWS Pro,” which will manage, facilitate, and report on all elements of the program. The platform will be used beyond the initial October 2024 deadline to continue to refine and update the inventory for service lines initially designated as material type “Unknown,” since results categorized as “Unknown” bear the same reporting requirements as service lines confirmed to contain lead. It is anticipated that work will continue after the initial deadline to reduce and eventually eliminate any results categorized as “Unknown”. The platform has been evaluated and approved for use by the Information Technology Department.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
This Agreement is funded by the Water Operating Fund. No funds will be encumbered until each annual task order is executed. At that time, the cost for each individual task order will be negotiated, and a task order will be created. Funds will be encumbered prior to the start of the work when the Task Authorization is executed.
There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Adopted Water Operating Fund for Fiscal Year 2024 to fund the first year of the proposed contract with 120Water. Funds for year two are contingent upon Council’s approval of the Water Operating Fund budget during the annual budget process. The total value for all tasks under the Agreement over the two-year period will not exceed $206,450 unless the Agreement is increased by a subsequent Council action.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Access to safe, clean drinking water is of primary importance for the community.
Completion of this project will provide valuable information regarding the materials used both in publicly and privately owned service lines and information on where to mitigate unsafe materials, if found.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The execution of this Agreement is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility Council Agenda Report
Water Service Line Inventory for Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is exempt under CEQA. This activity meets the intent of Section 16061(b)(3) as the compilation of the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) will in no way have an effect on the environment. If the results of the LSLI identify the presence of lead pipe that must be replaced, a separate CEQA determination will be made for this effort.
A copy of the Agreement may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].
WATER COMMISSION
This item was presented to the Water Commission at its meeting on November 16, 2023, and the Commission voted 3:0:2 in support of staff’s recommendations.
PREPARED BY: Dakota Corey, Water Supply and Services Manager/TL/lm SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Community Vitality Initiatives, Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2024 Agreement with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) for Operation of a Homeless Shelter and Related Services [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Community Development Director to execute a funding agreement amendment in the amount of $202,100 with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) for the operation of a homeless shelter and related services.
DISCUSSION:
PATH operates a 100-bed interim-housing program for persons experiencing homelessness. PATH reduces barriers to permanent housing through provision of interim housing and support services such as three meals per day, access to electricity, showers, bathrooms, and hygiene products. Beyond resources to basic needs, individuals receive case management and on-site resources such as physical and behavioral healthcare, harm reduction–based substance use counseling, housing location assistance, veteran services, and employment and benefits assistance. The goal for all PATH residents is to obtain permanent housing.
Each year since 1999, PATH has received funding from the City to help support its operations. The amount of assistance has been $202,100 annually since Fiscal Year 2015. In addition to the funding agreement recommended in this report, PATH received a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $37,000 for Fiscal Year 2024, for a total City contribution to PATH of $220,451.
In previous years, City funds have supported PATH’s general operations. In Fiscal Year 2023, for the first time, PATH and City staff negotiated the agreement to use City funding to reserve up to seven beds for homeless persons specifically referred by the City’s contracted street outreach service providers, including City Net, City staff, and the Santa Agenda Item No. 19
File Code No. 660.01
Council Agenda Report
Fiscal Year 2024 Agreement with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) for Operation of a Homeless Shelter and Related Services [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
Barbara Police Department. PATH has similar agreements with the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, Cottage Population Health’s Medical Recuperative Care Program, and the City of Goleta.
This arrangement has led to collaboration between PATH staff, City staff, and street outreach service providers. Staff meets weekly to case manage persons placed in the shelter collaboratively. A total of 22 unduplicated persons have been temporarily housed for a total of 1,394 bed nights at PATH Fiscal Year 2023.
Beginning last fiscal year, City staff incorporated some of PATH’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) conditions. Specifically, the terms for neighborhood communication and outreach, as well as neighborhood watch/patrol, into the funding agreement between PATH and the City. As part of this agreement, PATH submits quarterly reports documenting compliance with these specific provisions.
In accordance with the terms of PATH’s CUP requiring neighborhood communication, PATH staff members attend bimonthly Regional Action Plan meetings on the Eastside to discuss operations and hear directly from concerned residents. Recordings of the Eastside Regional Action Plan’s meetings are available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@sbactnow/featured.
Additionally, PATH began a neighborhood street outreach program last year. The outreach specialist provides case management services to help unsheltered individuals who are not residents of PATH get connected to services, such as short-term housing, residential treatment, and long-term housing. This staff person is also tasked with interacting with and hearing concerns of neighborhood businesses and collaborates extensively with City staff and other service providers in the area, such as the Rescue Mission, City Net, Good Samaritan’s street outreach programs, and County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness.
Although PATH has met the terms of the CUP, the impacts to surrounding neighborhood are significant. As such, City staff from Community Development, Sustainability and Resilience, Police Department, and City Administrator’s Office are working with PATH to develop and implement action items in and around the shelter with the goal of reducing issues that continue to impact the area from people that are not always residing at PATH, such as loitering, encampments, and drug use.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are existing expenditure appropriations available in the Community Development Department’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget to cover the recommended funding agreement.
Funding for the Fiscal Year 2024 PATH agreement consists of $132,100 from the Affordable Housing Fund budget and $70,000 from the General Fund budget for a total of $202,100.
Council Agenda Report
Fiscal Year 2024 Agreement with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) for Operation of a Homeless Shelter and Related Services [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
A copy of the contract/agreement is available for public review. Please contact Community Development Administration at [email protected] to request a copy.
PREPARED BY: Liz Stotts, Homelessness Programs Analyst
SUBMITTED BY: Eli Isaacson, Community Development Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Water Resources Division, Public Works Department SUBJECT: Contract Amendment for the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant [Agreement] RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute the Second Contract Amendment with GHD, Inc., for additional Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant, Contract No. 28,181, in the amount of $79,198, for a total expenditure authority of $428,463.
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant (Desal Plant) was reactivated in 2017 as a drought supply for the City of Santa Barbara (City). In a new policy included in the 2020 Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan that was adopted in June 2021, Council recognized the Desal Plant as one of the City’s primary water supplies, as it produces approximately one-third of the City’s annual water supplies.
IDE Americas is currently operating the Desal Plant under a Design/Build/Operate (DBO) contract that expires on March 4, 2024. Per the DBO contract, in the final year of the fiveyear contract, the City is to perform a formal Facilities Evaluation and Exit Test Services to determine if the Desal Plant is being maintained to meet the design service life and to verify that the operational requirements of the DBO contract are met.
The City conducted a formal Request for Proposal process and selected GHD, Inc., (GHD) to provide the services necessary to perform the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Test Services. The work includes evaluating the condition of the equipment and structures, developing a test plan, conducting and monitoring an exit test, reviewing the computer maintenance management system, and submitting a final report. GHD has successfully performed similar services for the City and other agencies, and submitted an acceptable proposal and cost for the proposed work.
Agenda Item No. 20
File Code No. 540.1
Council Agenda Report
Contract Amendment for the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
On August 16, 2022, Council authorized the Public Works Director to execute a contract with GHD in the amount of $303,765 to perform the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services for the Desal Plant and authorized change order expenditures of up to $45,500 for extra services that may result from necessary changes in the scope of work.
Current Status
GHD completed the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services plans included in the base scope of services in March 2023. As GHD developed the plans, it became apparent that certain procedures for the Exit Test would need to be conducted separately to avoid conflicts and increase the chances for defensible Exit Test results. This change to the approach resulted in an additional week of onsite work for the Exit Testing team, and the costs for those services exhausted mostly all of the originally authorized extra services.
The Facility Evaluation and Exit Testing Services exercises were significantly delayed and rescheduled twice due to the unexpected failure of critical equipment and processes at the Desal Plant, resulting in a longer than anticipated contract timeframe and additional project management costs. Additionally, when GHD was able to complete the Facility Evaluation Services, the team discovered a significant number of additional assets not included in the original record set, resulting in additional time needed to assess the condition and research maintenance records in order to accurately rate the condition and provide valuations for the additional assets.
The recommended increase in extra services for the GHD Contract will cover the costs associated with the additional assets not included in the original scope for the Facilities Evaluation Services, increased project management time for the delays, rescheduling the exercises due to the equipment failures, and responding to comments from IDE Americas.
With this authorization of increase, GHD anticipates completing the additional scope of work and finalizing the reports by March 2024.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Funding
If the recommendation is approved, the total contract expenditure authority will be increased to $428,463. There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Water Operating Fund Budget in Fiscal Year 2024 to fund the increased extra services with GHD for the additional scope needed to complete the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services.
A copy of the contract and amendment may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].
Council Agenda Report
Contract Amendment for the Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services for the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Facilities Evaluation and Exit Testing Services are both exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review.
PREPARED BY: Joshua Haggmark, P.E., Water Resources Manager/BR/lm SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Environmental Services Division, Sustainability and Resilience Department
SUBJECT: Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. for a Five-Year Solid Waste Rate Study [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Sustainability and Resilience Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. for consulting services on a five-year solid waste rate study in the amount of $64,500 and approve expenditures of up to an additional $6,450 for extra services that may result from necessary changes in the scope of work, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $70,950.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s current franchise agreement with MarBorg Industries for the collection of recyclables, organics, and solid waste took effect on June 8, 2023, and requires compensation to the hauler for monthly cost of service per unit beginning July 1, 2025. In order to develop both the monthly cost of service per unit for hauler compensation, as well as the customer rates, Environmental Services is seeking the services of R3 Consulting Group, Inc. (R3). R3 has provided a diverse range of solid waste management consulting services to public agencies for over two decades and was integral to the negotiation of the current franchise agreement. Their expertise in solid waste financial analysis, rate setting, and Proposition 218 noticing will ensure that the City’s financial needs, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements are met. Due to R3’s familiarity with the franchise agreement and their demonstrated capability to perform the necessary work, a sole-source professional services agreement is appropriate.
R3 will perform the rate study in several parts. They will analyze the current and projected costs of MarBorg’s collection, which is necessary for the City to perform the meet-andconfer process required by the franchise agreement to establish compensation values to the hauler. R3 will project the post-collection costs for disposal of waste, including the material delivered under our Material Delivery Agreement with the County. They will support an analysis of Environmental Services’ program costs to ensure funding for community programs. R3 will then develop a five-year rate study of total costs and Agenda Item No. 21
File Code No. 630.02
Council Agenda Report
Agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. for a Five-Year Solid Waste Rate Study [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
revenues to propose customer rates that meet the City’s revenue requirements and comply with Proposition 218. In the final stages of the project, R3 will aid the City in preparing Proposition 218 notices for the five-year solid rate forecasts as well as the associated Council reports, meetings, and presentations. R3’s financial forecast will enable Environmental Services to issue multi-year Proposition 218 notices. This will result in an estimated cost savings of $15,000 for each year the City will not have to issue an annual Proposition 218 notice and significant staff time savings preparing notices and conducting public hearings.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The agreement is in the amount of is $64,000. The additional $6,450 expenditure approval requested for any necessary changes in scope of work authorized by the Sustainability and Resilience Director results in a maximum budget cost of $70,950.
There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Adopted Solid Waste Fund Budget in Fiscal Year 2024 to fund these costs.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The five-year rate study ensures the City’s material diversion goals are met effectively.
A copy of the contract may be requested from the Sustainability and Resilience Department for public review; please contact [email protected] to request a copy.
PREPARED BY: Dustin Merback, Environmental Services Specialist II SUBMITTED BY: Alelia Parenteau, Sustainability and Resilience Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Engineering Division, Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Contract Amendment for Additional Archaeology Administrative Services for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Public Works Director to execute the Third Contract Amendment with Applied EarthWorks, Inc., for additional archaeology administrative services for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project, Contract No. 26,366, in the amount of $5,003, for a total not to exceed dollar amount of $91,461.
DISCUSSION:
Background
The City requested Applied EarthWorks, Inc., (Applied EarthWorks) to complete the Archaeology Phase 3 work plan of the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project (Project), and to travel to Santa Barbara to present the proposed work plan to the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). While this Phase 3 work plan was in Applied EarthWorks’ most recent scope of work, the delays and changes in the design of the Project have resulted in more time to complete the plan. Additional travel time to present to the HLC is now needed. Therefore, this amendment requires a cost increase to the referenced contract in the amount of $5,002.88.
Current Status
The Project’s design has been considered in-concept up to this point, and the Planning Application package is being prepared for submittal by the end of 2023. Environmental review will need to be completed and the application deemed complete prior to the commencement of the archaeological work.
Agenda Item No. 22
File Code No. 530.01
Council Agenda Report
Contract Amendment for Additional Archaeology Administrative Services for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Funding
The following summarizes the archaeological design costs.
TOTAL CONTRACT COST
*Cents have been rounded to the nearest dollar in this table.
Original Contract Amount (Applied EarthWorks) $42,813
1 st Amendment 9,723
2 nd Amendment 33,922
3 rd Amendment 5,003
Contract Total $91,461
If the recommendation is approved, the total archaeology design services contract expenditure authority will be increased to a new not-to-exceed amount of $91,461.28.
There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Project in the Measure C Capital Fund to cover all remaining project design costs, including the proposed contract amendment with Applied EarthWorks.
A copy of the Amendment may be requested from the Public Works Department for public review by contacting [email protected].
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The Project will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and will contribute to the City’s sustainability goals by encouraging more people to walk and bike, reducing energy consumption and air pollution. The Project is also consistent with the City’s Vision Zero Strategy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This Project requires California Environmental Quality Act compliance and environmental permitting. Environmental review and documentation will be conducted during the design phase and finalized upon award of the Project’s construction contract. The required environmental permits will be secured prior to the commencement of construction.
PREPARED BY: Brian D’Amour, P.E., City Engineer/BH/sk
SUBMITTED BY: Clifford M. Maurer, P.E., Public Works Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Business Services Division, Waterfront Department SUBJECT: Waterfront Department License Agreement with Santa Barbara Fuel Dock, Incorporated, to Operate the Commercial Ice Machine [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve a five-year license agreement with Santa Barbara Fuel Dock, Incorporated, a California Corporation, to operate the ice machine facility in Santa Barbara Harbor, also known as the Ice House.
BACKGROUND:
The commercial fishing Ice Machine is located at the end of the City Pier and is an important component to the success of the local commercial fishing industry. The Ice Machine was the first major project funded by the Fisheries Enhancement Fund, allowing commercial fishers to keep their catch fresh, stay longer at sea, and avoid costly trips to Ventura or Morro Bay for ice. The Ice House at the Santa Barbara Harbor commenced operations on May 1, 1992, and has the capacity to produce 10 tons of ice per day.
McCormix, now Santa Barbara Fuel Dock, Inc. (SB Fuel Dock) has operated the Ice Machine for over two decades.
DISCUSSION:
Santa Barbara Fuel Dock proposes to operate the Ice Machine through a license agreement with the City. Basic terms of the proposed license agreement are summarized as follows:
Term: Five year term.
Base Rent: To be divided into two tiers:
1) At the start of the term, the Waterfront Department will pay Santa Barbara Fuel Agenda Item No. 23
File Code No. 330.04
Council Agenda Report
Waterfront Department License Agreement with Santa Barbara Fuel Dock, Incorporated, to Operate the Commercial Ice Machine [Agreement]
December 12, 2023
Dock $1,410 per month to sell ice and collect the revenue from those sales. 2) Effective July 1, 2024 payment to Santa Barbara Fuel Dock will increase to $1,740 per month to sell ice and collect the revenue from those sales.
Every dollar above the base rent collected on the sale of ice is given to the Waterfront Department.
Maintenance and Upkeep: Maintenance and upkeep of the Ice Machine is the responsibility of the Waterfront Department.
The Santa Barbara Fuel Dock is considered by the Waterfront Department to be a tenant in good standing.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The license revenue has been incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2024 revenue appropriations in the Waterfront’s operating budget. No additional appropriations are required.
The Harbor Commission recommended approval of the proposed license agreement at their November 16, 2023 meeting.
A copy of the license agreement is available for public review from the Waterfront Department; please email [email protected] to request a copy.
PREPARED BY: Cesar Barrios, Waterfront Business Manager SUBMITTED BY: Mike Wiltshire, Waterfront Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Accounting Division, Finance Department
SUBJECT: Independent Financial Statement Audit Services Agreement Extension [Agreement]
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve and authorize the Finance Director to execute an extension of the existing Professional Services Agreement for three years with CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP (CLA), to perform an independent financial statement audit of the City of Santa Barbara for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024, June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2026 for a total notto-exceed amount of $776,555.
DISCUSSION:
State law and the City Charter require that an independent audit be conducted annually by a Certified Public Accountant. In November 2019, the City Council awarded a threeyear contract to White Nelson Diehl Evans, LLP (WNDE) which was later acquired by CLA. An amendment extended services though fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. The head manager for the past audits was promoted to Principal which in return provides the opportunity under Government Code Section 12410.6.(b). to extend services for another three years.
Staff has worked successfully with WNDE, and now CLA, staff over the past five years to successfully produce the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other legally required reports in a timely. Recently, the City was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the financial statements ending June 30, 2022.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
There are sufficient expenditure appropriations in the Finance Department’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The audit services for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024 will cost $97,283, and then increase to $102,155 the next year and then finally to $107,273 in the Agenda Item No. 24
File Code No. 210.01
Council Agenda Report
Independent Financial Statement Audit Services Agreement Extension [Agreement] December 5, 2023
final year of the extension, plus an additional amount for extra services of $8,000 each year ($24,000 total). Staff will ensure that sufficient expenditure appropriations will be included in future budgets in order to fund the costs of the contract extension with CLA.
A copy of the agreement extension may be requested from the Finance Department for public review. To request a copy, please contact [email protected].
PREPARED BY: Nathalie Lecolley, Controller
SUBMITTED BY: Keith DeMartini, Finance Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Risk Management Division, Finance Department
SUBJECT: Self-Insured Workers' Compensation Program Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive the annual Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Program Annual Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
California Labor Code Section 3702.6(b) requires staff to advise Council annually about two items relating to the City’s self-insured workers’ compensation program: (1) the value of the total accrued claim liabilities reported by the City on the State’s Self Insurers Annual Report; and (2) whether current accounting and financial reporting of those liabilities is in compliance with the requirements of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 10.
The California Department of Industrial Relations requires all self-insured public agencies to submit an annual report before October 1 of each year that identifies the workers' compensation liabilities as of the prior fiscal year end. Risk Management staff submitted the Fiscal Year 2023 annual report on September 20, 2023.
The annual report submitted by the City identified results for claims reported during Fiscal Year 2023, including the results for all claims that remain open that were reported during a previous fiscal year. City employees reported 145 claims during Fiscal Year 2023; 99 of these claims required the City to pay disability compensation for time away from work.
The City paid $562,261 for disability benefits and $219,824 in medical care on the 145 claims reported during Fiscal Year 2023.
The report lists a total of 229 open claims (from all years). The total liability for these 229 claims equals $14,384,706 – consisting of $5,638,227 for indemnity (disability payments) and $8,746,479 for medical payments.
Agenda Item No. 25
File Code No. 350.08
Council Agenda Report
Self-Insured Workers' Compensation Program Annual Report December 12, 2023
The City accounts for its risk management operations in a separate Internal Service Fund, the Self-Insurance Fund (SIF). Every two years, the City contracts with a risk management actuarial firm to prepare an actuarial valuation of the accrued liabilities in the City’s selfinsured workers’ compensation program. The City uses the results of this actuarial valuation as well as claims information from our third-party administrator (claims adjuster) to report the workers’ compensation accrued liabilities in both the City’s annual audit report (the “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report” or “ACFR”) and the required annual report submitted to the State of California. The City is partially funded for all its actuarially determined workers’ compensation claim liabilities. The City also uses the actuarial information to develop the annual allocations from all operating departments into the SIF to ensure adequate resources are available to pay insurance premiums and claims.
GASB Statement 10 established accounting and financial reporting standards for all City claims, including workers’ compensation claims. GASB Statement 10 requires governments to recognize a claim as an expense and liability if both of the following conditions are met:
1. Information available indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred; and,
2. The amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
In addition, GASB Statement 10 requires certain disclosures in the footnotes to the financial statements. All the City’s workers’ compensation claims have been accounted for and reported in accordance with GASB Statement 10.
In summary, the City has met its obligation to file the required Public Self Insurers Annual Report with the State of California Office of Self Insurance Plans. The City also met its legal requirement to report the workers' compensation program liabilities to the City Council with this report. Council will receive a more complete description of the City’s selfinsured workers’ compensation program as part of the ACFR, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
There is no direct budget or financial impact by Council receiving the Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Program Annual Report.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Public Self Insurers ER Annual Report (AR-2)
2. Self-Insurer’s Profile and Financial Summary Report (P-1) PREPARED BY: Mark W. Howard, Risk Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Keith DeMartini, Finance Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
State of California
Public Self Insurers
ER Amended Annual Report
For Fiscal Year 2022-23
City of Santa Barbara
P.O. Box1990
Santa Barbara, CA 93102 1990
September 19, 2023
FORM AR-2 (1-2016)
ATTACHMENT 1
State of California
Employer
General Information:
Certificate Number 7144 Period Of Report Annual
(Period) From 07/01/2022 (Period) To 06/30/2023
Master Certificate Holder:
Name City of Santa Barbara
Address 1 P.O. Box1990
Address 2 FTIN 95-6000787
City Santa Barbara State CA Zip 93102 1990
State of Incorporation
State of California
During the reporting period of this report, has there been any of the following with respect to the Master Certificate Holder for any affiliate?
None
Any additions to the Self Insurance Program?
None
Employment and wages paid in current fiscal year:
Number of Employees 1,843
Total Wages and Salaries Paid $91,843,794
Addressed Correspondence For Related Self-Insurance Matters:
Company Name CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
Name MARK W HOWARD Title RISK MANAGER
Phone (805) 897-2654 Fax (805) 897-2642
Email Address [email protected]
Address 1 735 ANACAPA STREET
Address 2
City SANTA BARBARA State CA Zip 93102
Web Site
State of California
TPA Adjusting Locations:
Has there been a change in TPA Adjusting Locations during this reporting period that has not yet been reported to OSIP? No Have you added any new TPA Adjusting Locations during this reporting period that has not yet been reported to OSIP? No Record Storage:
Are there open and closed claims stored at a location other than the adjusting location? No Insurance Coverage:
1) During this reporting period, does your company maintain a standard workers' compensation insurance policy to cover any of your California liabilities?
No
2) During this reporting period, does your company have a specific excess workers' compensation policy in force to cover any of your California liabilities?
Yes
Insurance Company Name Policy Number Policy Issue Date
1) PRISM PE 22 EWC-04 07/01/2022
Attachment FY2023 ACCEL_EWC Coverage-Certs.pdf
Retention Limit $750,000
3) Do you carry an aggregate(stop loss) workers' compensation insurance policy? No
State of California
Certification By Authorized Representative:
Company Name CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
Name MARK W HOWARD Title RISK MANAGER
Phone (805) 897-2654 Fax (805) 897-2642
Email Address [email protected]
Address 1 735 ANACAPA STREET
Address 2
City SANTA BARBARA State CA Zip 93102
Name of Person Legally Responsible for this Electronic Signature:
Mark Howard ( Date/Time of Signature ) - 09/13/2023 14:30
State of California
Amendment:
Amendment Reason: Other
Typo on C) All Cases 2020/21 Changed to 137.
Report Location Number:
7144-60-092 A
Identification of Location
ADMINSURE, INC. at ONTARIO
Certificate Holder
City of Santa Barbara
CASES AND BENEFITS (to the nearest dollar) From Date- To DateDate # Incurred Liability
Indemnity Medical
Paid To Date
Indemnity Medical
Future Liability
Indemnity Medical
1) Cases open as of 06/30/2023
reported prior to 2018/19
2) Open and closed Liabilities
A) All Cases reported in 2018/19
2018/19 Cases open
B) All Cases reported in 2019/20
2019/20 Cases open
C) All Cases reported in 2020/21
2020/21 Cases open
D) All Cases reported in 2021/22
2021/22 Cases open
E) All Cases reported in 2022/23
2022/23 Cases open
89 $10,717,237 $12,997,392 $6,609,052 $7,169,186 $4,108,185 $5,828,206 135 $1,854,559 $1,271,119 $1,599,425 $853,863 $255,134 $417,256 13 $750,979 $671,791 $495,845 $254,535 $255,134 $417,256 132 $1,412,847 $1,021,881 $1,238,023 $646,108 $174,824 $375,773 15 $729,068 $635,699 $554,244 $259,926 $174,824 $375,773 137 $1,766,208 $1,622,143 $1,510,290 $676,930 $255,918 $945,213 36 $1,116,326 $1,330,446 $860,408 $385,233 $255,918 $945,213 208 $1,754,656 $1,249,511 $1,195,376 $613,239 $559,280 $636,272 33 $1,432,456 $1,073,542 $873,176 $437,270 $559,280 $636,272 145 $847,147 $763,583 $562,261 $219,824 $284,886 $543,759 49 $668,963 $713,548 $384,077 $169,789 $284,886 $543,759
SUBTOTAL
$ Indemnity
$5,638,227
$ Medical
$8,746,479
3) Estimate Future Liability (Indemnity Plus Medical) TOTAL $14,384,706 4) Total Benefits Paid During 2022/23 (Including all case expenditures). The indemnity amount includes the amount of LC § 4800/4850 benefits paid for the year (total of Lines 11 and 12)
$ Indemnity
$3,070,750
$ Medical
$2,007,406
5) Number of MEDICAL-ONLY Cases Reported in 2022/23 46
6) Number of INDEMNITY Cases Reported in 2022/23 99
7) Total of 5 and 6 (Also entered in 2E above) 145
8) Total Number of open Indemnity Cases (All Years) 229 9) Number of Fatality Cases Reported In 2022/23 0
10) (a) Number of FY 2022/23 claims for which the employer or administrator was notified of representation by an attorney or legal representative in 2022/23
12 10) (a) Number of non-FY 2022/23 claims for which the employer or administrator was notified of representation by an attorney or legal representative in 2022/23
11 11) Amount from salary continuation payments made pursuant to LC § 4800/4850 that is in excess of the applicable temporary disability rate for the period paid. $284,236
12) Amount from salary continuation payments made pursuant to LC § 4800/4850 capped at the temporary disability rate for the period paid.
$630,246
Files Uploaded
ALL Open Indemnity Claims (by reporting and by year) reported and with claims: Public SIP Indemnity MO Listing_Add Date ONT LOC.pdf 07/01/2022 06/30/2023
State of California
Dual Jurisdiction Claims
Please note that California Labor Code Section 3702.2(b) requires that "... the annual report of a self-insured employer who has self-insured both state and federal workers' compensation liability shall also be set forth (1) amount of all compensation liability incurred, paid-to-date, the estimated future liability under both this chapter and under the federal longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act (33 U.S.C Sec. 901 et seq.), and (2) the identity and the amount of the security deposit securing the employer's liability under state and federal self-insured programs." Accordingly, please indicate all California exposure on your Self Insurer's Annual Report, and, in addition identify each Claim with dual jurisdiction on Separate List of Open Idemnity Claims. For those claims, indicate the incurred, paid-to-date, and estimated future liabilities for federal exposure. Please also indicate the amount and the type of security deposit securing those claims.
Instructions To Claims Administrator For Specific Excess Insurance The TPA should provide a sum of the unpaid excess carrier excess liability under “Calculation of Specific Excess Coverage Entry for the Annual Reports”.
In addition, provide a list of claims for which specific excess credit is being claimed. This may be provided as a spreadsheet. Indicate in the list of claims the following information:
The list shall include the name of the claimant, claim number, date of injury, description of injury, carrier name and policy number, policy coverage period, retention level of policy and paid to date in indemnity or medical benefits, and the estimated future liability of the claim minus the total unpaid employer retention, which equals the total unpaid carrier liability, whether the claim has been reported to a carrier, if the claim has been accepted by the carrier, if the carrier has denied any part of the liability of the claim.
Refer to OSIP website for sample format of the Excess Credit Calculation form.
Calculation Of Specific Excess Coverage Entry For Annual Reports:
Enter the sum of the total unpaid carrier excess liability claimed from the "Specific Excess Insurance Policy Coverage". If none enter "0".
$ 4881296
Files Uploaded
Specific Excess Insurance Policy pages: Excess Calculation Form.xlsx Certification
Administrating Agency's Certificate Number 092
Or Self Administered
I declare under penalty of perjury that I have prepared or caused this report to be prepared and I have examined this liabilities report to be prepared and I have examined this liabilities report of this self insurer's worker's compensation liabilities. To the best of my knowledge and belief this report is true, correct and complete with respect to the worker's compensation liabilities incurred and paid. I further declare under the penalty of perjury that the estimates of future liability of worker's compensation claims made in this report reflect the administrator's best judgement as to the future liability of claims, using prevailing industry standards, and the signatory intends Self Insurance Plans to rely upon the representation.
Agency Name ADMINSURE, INC.
Name Nerissa Burnside
Phone (909) 861-0816 Fax
Email Address [email protected]
Address 1 3380 Shelby Street
Address 2
City Ontario State CA Zip 91764
Name of Person Legally Responsible for this Electronic Signature:
Nerissa Burnside ( Date/Time of Signature ) - 09/19/2023 14:22
State of California
Department of Industrial Relations
OFFICE OF SELF-INSURANCE PLANS (OSIP)
Print Clear Form
SELF-INSURER'S PROFILE AND FINANCIAL SUMMARY REPORT (Form P-1) Instructions:
• Enter financial infonnation from most recent certified, audited financial statement, if available. If unavailable or over three years old, enter amounts from most recent financial statement by independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA). If neither is available, identify source of infonnation (name of document, source, date, name and contact infonnation for preparer or custodian) where indicated. • Terminology used in this report is based on standard industry meaning and usage for Workers' Compensation claims and coverage in the State of California. • Enter NIA where any category is inapplicable in employer's line of business or recordkeeping.
Part A. General.
1. Self-Insured Employer Name: City of Santa Barbara
2. OSIP Certificate Number of Self-Insured Employer: _7_1_4_4 ___________ _ D Check if certificate is revoked.
3. Self-Insured JPA (including OSIP Certificate Number) to which Employer currently belongs, if any: none
4. Nature of Insurance: D Primary IZ] Excess
Coverage Description (including retention level and coverage cap, if applicable):
PRISM excess workers' compensation coverage.
$750,000 retention; $50,000,000 cap
Part B. Employer Profile
1. Total Annual Operating Expenditures: $ 361,574,248
OSIP P-1 (1-2020) [8 CCR§ 15203.11(a)J-page 1
ATTACHMENT 2
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Administration, Library
SUBJECT: Sole Source Purchase Order for Santa Barbara Office Interiors to Furnish the Lower Level Library Staff Workspace Renovation Project RECOMMENDATION:
That Council authorize the Library Director to execute a sole source Purchase Order to Santa Barbara Office Interiors in the amount of $68,984.39 for purchase, delivery, and placement of office furniture.
DISCUSSION:
The Library requests the issuance of a sole source purchase order in the amount of $68,984.39 to Santa Barbara Office Interiors for purchase, delivery, assembly, and placement of office furniture, including desks, screens, storage, and seating. The office furniture that would be purchased includes:
24 custom electric height-adjustable desks
24 custom mobile storage units that can double as seating 24 acoustic divider screens
24 single monitor arms with USB
38 custom ergonomic chairs
A sole source purchase order is required because Santa Barbara Office Interiors is the only vendor able to meet the required procurement timeline and design purpose of the Central Library Staff Workspace Renovation construction project. A bonus is that this vendor is local and already familiar with the City’s ergonomic requirements.
The cost was determined to be fair and reasonable by comparing rates to rates charged for comparable products. Santa Barbara Office Interiors also belongs to a OMNIA cooperative contract.
Agenda Item No. 26
File Code No. 570.04
Council Agenda Report
Sole Source Purchase Order for Santa Barbara Office Interiors to Furnish the Lower Level Library Staff Workspace Renovation Project
December 12, 2023
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The total cost for the purchase, delivery, assembly, and placement of the aforementioned furniture from Santa Barbara Office Interiors is $68,984.39. Adequate expenditure appropriations exist using Measure C funds in the Central Library Staff Workspace Renovation project.
PREPARED BY: Kathrin Rosenberger, Administrative Analyst I SUBMITTED BY: Jessica Cadiente, Library Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Administration, Library
SUBJECT: Purchase Order for FE Technologies Library Self-Check V5 Units RECOMMENDATION:
That Council find it in the City’s best interest to follow the formal bid procedure and authorize the Library Director to execute a Purchase Order to FE Technologies in the amount of $59,549.70 for purchase, delivery, and installation of eight V5 self-check units.
DISCUSSION:
Library users at both the Central Library and Eastside Library have been using self-check options since 2011 and this self-directed behavior has allowed for more value-added staff support for other non-transactional library services. The library’s eight current Bibliotheca self-checks are growing increasingly difficult to maintain and do not have a consistent connection to the Library’s integrated library system (ILS), Koha. When the connection fails, the self-check units become inoperable and cannot check items out to patrons because the current units do not have a reliable offline service feature. The existing units also cannot be administered via a universal web platform; each self-check must be administered individually by Library Technology Staff. Lastly, the RFID (radio frequency identification) readers within the current units often fail to read all Library materials and this results in frustrated staff and patrons. Having unreliable self-check units undermines the very purpose of their existence since patrons are forced to find an available staff member to check the items out to them rather than being able to do so themselves.
FE Technologies V5 self-check units are specifically designed for library use. They have 23-inch screen sizes to help patrons who are visually-impaired and are height-adjustable, making them accessible to those in wheelchairs as well as children. They also have a text-to-sound speaker option for ADA compliance for patrons who have visual impairments. The existing Bibliotheca self-checks do not have any of these ADA features.
Agenda Item No. 27
File Code No. 570.04
Council Agenda Report
Purchase Order for FE Technologies Library Self-Check V5 Units December 12, 2023
The V5 self-check units are free-standing pedestal units that can be positioned anywhere where network ports are available. They run on Windows LTSC 2021 operating systems with Microsoft support through 2032. Patrons are not able to install applications or change the settings on them. The V5 units would be able to check in and check out items using either RFID pads or barcode scanners and will be able to initiate patron sessions by reading library card barcodes on regular laminated library cards, scanning barcodes from patrons’ Aspen catalog accounts on their iPhones or Android phones, or initiating a session when an account number is manually keyed in.
SBPL technology staff would be able to administer all eight new self-checks universally from a web-based cloud administrative platform called Envoy. This would significantly reduce Library Technology Staff’s time by not having to individually change settings on the current self-checks. Other features available through Envoy include: digital advertising features that the Library would use for advertising upcoming events, policy changes, or new available programs or services; themes with customizable animation which would be helpful for the self-checks in the Central Library’s Children’s Lower Level; and multilanguage options that can be selected by patrons. FE Technologies also offers custom exterior vinyl wraps for branding.
The self-checks would be synchronized with the Library’s ILS, Koha, via a stable SIP2 connection. The FE Technologies Envoy platform provides usage reports, language accessibilities per self-check, and global theme and administrative changes. Envoy would allow Library Technology Staff to either set the self-checks to receive automatic firmware and software updates, or to receive such updates at specific times set by staff. The V5 units also have an offline mode, which is critical should the Library’s ILS, Koha, ever become unavailable through internet connection disruptions. Offline mode would enable the self-checks to still function and allow patrons to check items out. The mode would queue up items checked out until Koha became available again. Once it did, the queued items’ information would be uploaded to Koha. Regarding patron privacy, user-specific information is automatically wiped from the V5’s public-facing screens when patron sessions end, regardless if the units are in offline mode or not.
The Library proposed the self-check upgrades to City IT Director Justin Cure and City IT Manager Rudy Fidler on September 8th, 2023, as part of the Library’s Annual IT Strategic Planning Session. There were no objections since the new units would not have any impact to City IT systems and would require minimal City IT staff intervention. With the Library being fine-free, the self-checks would not process any point-of-sale transactions.
PCI compliance would not be applicable to them.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
The total cost for eight FE Technologies V5 units would be $59,549.70 for purchase, delivery, and installation. This is the lowest-cost bid from 3 separate vendors including EnvisionWare and Bibliotheca for self-check units with comparable features and capabilities.
The FE Technologies lowest cost was made possible by the City approving a free Council Agenda Report
Purchase Order for FE Technologies Library Self-Check V5 Units December 12, 2023
contractual agreement with BuyBoard, which is a vendor purchasing cooperative. This agreement was approved by the City of Santa Barbara General Services Manager and City Attorney as of September 20th, 2023. Subsequent subscription costs from FE Technologies will total $4,337.60 annually and will be paid for by the Library’s Discretionary Funds.
Adequate expenditure appropriations exists in the Library Departments FY2024 budget for this purchase.
PREPARED BY: Alain Dussert, Department Systems Supervisor SUBMITTED BY: Jessica Cadiente, Library Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Airport Administration
SUBJECT: Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan Assuring Adequate Access and Language Availability for Airport Customers
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council review and adopt the Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan for 2024-2027 and authorize the Airport Director to make minor changes as necessary.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan for 2024-2027 provides a comprehensive overview of the Airport’s compliance with federal civil rights regulations. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, and limited English proficiency in all federal activities, including grant awards. Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 1000.12C “The Department of Transportation Title VI Program”, dated June 11, 2021 establishes a requirement for all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant recipients to adopt a Title VI Plan. The City of Santa Barbara receives FAA grants through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
DISCUSSION:
The adoption of the attached Title VI Plan will provide the Airport Department with a detailed guide to federal non-discrimination requirements. Once approved, all security badge holders at the Airport will be expected to familiarize themselves and comply with the Title VI Plan’s provision. Adoption of this Plan will also help ensure that the Airport is compliant with the Civil Rights Act and continues to remain in good standing and eligible for federal funding.
The following are the components of the Title VI Plan:
1. Policy Statement
2. Administration
Agenda Item No. 28
File Code No. 560.01
Council Agenda Report
Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan for Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements for Agencies Receiving Federal Funding
December 12, 2023
3. Grant and Procurement Assurances
4. Title VI Coordinator Responsibilities
5. Notice
6. Community Statistics
7. Community Impacts
8. Limited English Proficiency
9. Transportation
10.Minority Businesses
11.Training
12.Investigations, Lawsuits, Reviews
13.Title VI Complaints
The first five sections describe the purpose and need for the Title VI Plan and identify staff responsible for implementation. The next two sections, Community Statistics and Community Impacts, assess the communities in the vicinity of the Airport and evaluates the impacts from and benefits to these communities from Airport operations. The next three sections consider access and communication for Airport users, tenants, and businesses. The last three sections describe the responsibilities of the Airport Department to implement Title VI requirements, including the proper handling of Civil Rights and Accessibility complaints.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Minor financial costs incurred from staff time and establishing a contract with language translation services. Funds are available in the Airport Operating Fund to implement the Santa Barbara Title VI Plan.
ATTACHMENT: Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan for 2024-2027 PREPARED BY: Andrew Bermond, Airport Facilities Manager SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Hastert, Airport Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
ATTACHMENT
Santa Barbara Airport Title VI Plan
1. Title VI Policy Statement1
The City of Santa Barbara assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency (LEP)), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (PL 100.259), Section 520 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, and related authorities (hereafter, “Title VI and related requirements”), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding. Title VI also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of discrimination.
The City of Santa Barbara further assures every effort will be made to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether those programs are federally funded or not. The Airport Sponsor agrees, among other things, to understand the communities surrounding or in the flight path, as well as customers that use the airport. Anytime communities may be impacted by programs or activities the City of Santa Barbara will take action to involve them and the general public in the decision-making process.
The City of Santa Barbara requires nondiscrimination assurances, as prescribed by FAA, from each tenant, contractor, and concessionaire providing an activity, service, or facility at the airport.
Assurances must be included in any related lease, contract, or franchise agreement between the City of Santa Barbara and each tenant, contractor, and concessionaire, as well as in any similar agreements with their own sub-tenants and sub-contractors.
Andrew Bermond, available at (805) 692-6057 and [email protected], is the Title VI Coordinator and is responsible for overseeing the Airport Sponsor’s compliance with Title VI and the point of contact for all airport Title VI matters and related responsibilities, including those required by 49 CFR Part 21.
Signature Effective Date
Christopher Hastert
Airport Director
3-Year Expiration Date
1 This policy statement will be translated into languages other than English, upon request and based on patron and local language demographics.
2 2. Administration
The Council of the City of Santa Barbara has reviewed and adopted this Title VI Plan for the City of Santa Barbara. This plan will be updated no less than once every 3 years. The plan will not be re-adopted following minor changes, such as updating the Airport Director’s or Coordinator’s name. Significant revisions to our policies or federal guidelines may warrant re-adoption by the City Council and resubmittal to FAA.
In addition to the Coordinator and airport sponsor’s leadership, the following people also assist with our Title VI program requirements:
Staff Supporting Title VI Program Airport Sponsor Program / Office John Feldhans DBE/ACDBE Program
Sara Iza Community Participation Plan
Angi Daus Community Relations
As of the date of this plan, the City of Santa Barbara has the following pending applications for Federal financial assistance:
Federal Source Grant
Number
Amount
(Requested
Federal Share)
SBA Project
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $4,800,000 Terminal Addition Project Concept Design & Environmental Review
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $1,900,000 Taxiway B, F, P Rehabilitation (Design & Construction)
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $500,000 Vehicle Service Road Rehabilitation Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $3,700,000 Taxiway H Extension (Design) Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $3,100,000 South Terminal Apron Rehabilitation (Design &
Construction)
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $2,000,000 Taxiway C, H Rehabilitation (Construction)
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $3,000,000 Taxiway A, E, K, L Rehabilitation (Design & Construction)
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $11,700,000 Taxiway H Extension (Construction) Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $36,300,000 Terminal Addition Project (Construction)
Federal Aviation Administration 20.106 $2,000,000 Runway 15R-33L Rehabilitation (Design & Construction)
Updated information for pending and awarded grant applications will be available through the following methods:
3 Federal Source Grant Award Information Available at:
DHS www.DHSgrantinfo.gov
DOJ www.USgrantsinfo.net
FAA AIP https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/
3. Grant and Procurement Assurances
49 CFR § 21.7 (a)(1); 49 CFR Part 21 Appendix C (b)
The City of Santa Barbara will complete standard grant assurances for Title VI and related requirements, in the form prescribed by FAA. See
https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grant_assurances/#current-assurances.
Clauses/Covenants
a. All contracts, leases, deeds, licenses, permits, and other similar instruments, must contain the contractual requirements and clauses, in the form prescribed by FAA. See https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/procurement/federal_contract_provisions/. Note that unlike many other clauses, Civil Rights clauses are required in all contracts. Note also special clauses that are required for certain types of contracts, such as land acquisition. b. The City of Santa Barbara requires Civil Rights clauses to be included in solicitations and contracts for all subcontractors, subleases, and any other agreements. All solicitations for bidding include a Fair Employment Practice Act disclosure compliant with Sections 1735 and 1777.6 of the California Labor Code and the City of Santa Barbara’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
Description of Oversight Methods for Subcontracts
Subcontract template must be used in all subcontracts related to the airport program. Subcontracts are audited by the Purchasing Division to verify they include the template language, for not less than 10 percent of contractors each year.
4. Title VI Coordinator Responsibilities
The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that they and other staff supporting Title VI are trained in Title VI requirements. Essential training topics include:
Basic Title VI requirements
Airport language assistance resources and practices
Collecting and assessing demographic data
Reporting Title VI complaints and other required FAA notifications.
See Training Section for more information for expected training for all staff. 4 Among other responsibilities, the Coordinator:
Proactively ensures that the Airport Sponsor is in compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and reports to the City of Santa Barbara leadership on the status of Title VI compliances.
Responds promptly to requests by FAA for data and records and for the scheduling of compliance reviews and other FAA meetings to determine compliance with Title VI and related requirements.
Receives discrimination complaints covered by Title VI and related requirements, and forwards them to the FAA, within 15 days of receipt, together with any actions taken to resolve the matter.
Provides the FAA with updates regarding its response and status of early resolution efforts to complaints concerning Title VI and related requirements (49 CFR Part 21, Appendix C(b)(3)), including resolution efforts.
Annually reviews the airport's Title VI plan and disseminates information throughout staff and the Airport Sponsor’s leadership.
Coordinates data collection to evaluate whether racial or ethnic groups are unequally benefited or impacted by airport programs. The data will be regularly assessed and readily available upon request (49 CFR § 21.9(b) & (c)). Data collection methods will include optional demographic questions in airport customer satisfaction surveys, customer complaints, airport event sign-in sheets, and bids/proposals for airport contracts, and other methods described in the airport Community Participation Plan (CPP). Maintains demographic data for members of appointed planning and advisory bodies for the airport. Identifies any disparities compared to the community. Provides information to the membership selecting official/committee, particularly when vacancies occur. Maintains a copy of 49 CFR Part 21 for inspection by any person asking for it during normal working hours (49 CFR 21, Appendix C (b)(2)(i)).
See Notice, Compliance reviews, Audits, Lawsuits, and Other Investigations, and Complaints Sections of this Plan.
The Coordinator has not requested and received access to the Title VI portion of the FAA Civil Rights Connect System (https://faa.civilrightsconnect.com/). The City of Santa Barbara will request access for the Coordinator by December 31, 2023.
5. Notice
49 CFR Part 21 Appendix C(b)(2)(ii)
The City of Santa Barbara will conspicuously display the FAA-provided Unlawful Discrimination Poster in all public areas on airport property, including those with pedestrian activity. The 5 Coordinator ensures that these posters are visible, accessible,2 and maintained. The poster template is available at
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/acr/com_civ_support/non_disc_pr/ and a completed copy is attached. See Section 15 Appendix.
The City of Santa Barbara has posted the above Title VI policy statement at its staff offices.
The City of Santa Barbara will distribute this Title VI Plan among its employees and airport contractors, concessionaires, lessees, and tenants. This plan will be distributed on December 21, 2023 by email and at the January 2024 Airport Stakeholder meeting.
Posters are displayed in the terminal and other areas on airport property, including the following public locations:
Terminal/FBO/Concessions/
Other Locations
Quantity in
Pre-Security
Area
Quantity in
Post-Security
Area
Additional
Quantities
Terminal 1 1 0
Airport Administration Building 1 0 0
Airport Maintenance Building 1 0 0
Outreach to Affected Communities
The Airport Marketing Team ensures that notices for public meetings reach all segments of the impacted community. The Title VI coordinator will identify the effective media platforms to share announcement and notices. Announcements are made in social media, general circulation newspapers, community newspapers, email broadcast, and at www.flysba.com. The Airport Capital Support Division contacts leaders and representatives in Affected Communities directly to confirm effective media platforms to reach all Affected Communities3 and provide important feedback on translated materials. The office maintains records of all such notices and the efforts made to reach each of the Affected Communities.
The City of Santa Barbara will create a detailed CPP by December 31, 2023. A copy of the plan will be available at www.flysba.com/civilrights.
To ensure that the community is effectively informed of and able to participate in public hearings, the City Clerk’s Office includes public notices translated into appropriate languages, including for any language spoken by a significant number or proportion of the Affected Community population 2 For more information about website accessibility, please visit ADA.gov. 3 We will not subject any persons to discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, or creed. The term “protected communities” is used within this Title VI Plan to highlight the requirements of Title VI, 49 U.S.C. § 47123, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and in some instances, includes low-income populations under Executive Order 12898.
6 that has limited English proficiency (LEP). Such social media postings and notices will include direction for obtaining an interpreter, free of charge, for public hearings. 28 CFR § 42.405(d). See Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Section.
6. Community Statistics
Title VI regulations require Federal grant recipients to know their community demographics. See 49 CFR § 21.9(b). By knowing this information, the City of Santa Barbara will be able to identify, understand, and engage with communities. In doing so, the City of Santa Barbara needs to know about communities eligible to be served, actually or potentially affected, benefited or burdened by the Santa Barbara Airport.
Affected Communities4 Population
City of Santa Barbara 86,572
City of Goleta 32,455
Eastern Goleta Valley Census Designated Place 28,897
Isla Vista Census Designated Place 14,234
University of California, Santa Barbara Census
Designated Place
1,673
(Hereafter, the above communities will be referred to collectively as “the Affected Communities”).
We have identified the following facts about the Affected Communities:
Low Income Communities5.
A low-income area is an identifiable group of persons living in geographic proximity, whose median household income is at or below the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines. Pursuant to Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,” City of Santa Barbara is collecting information about affected and potentially affected low-income communities. According to the 2021 American Community Survey, the overall poverty level for the South Coast of Santa Barbara County (i.e. Santa Barbara Census County Division) is approximately 15.5 %. The poverty rate is similar to that of Santa Barbara County (14.4%). The poverty rates for the specific Affected Communities are as follows:
4 “Affected communities” means any readily identifiable group potentially impacted by an airport project or operation, such as the community immediately surrounding a project or a community in the flight path. 5 Low-income data must be collected to assist in our compliance with Environmental Justice requirements (not Title VI requirements). For example, this data will be utilized in our Community Participation Plan (CPP) to help ensure the meaningful involvement of low income communities in airport programs and activities. 7 Affected Communities Poverty Rate
City of Santa Barbara 14.5%
City of Goleta 10.2%
Eastern Goleta Valley Census Designated Place 5.9%
Isla Vista Census Designated Place 71.5%
University of California, Santa Barbara Census Designated Place
16.3%
Racial and Ethnic Communities.
Demographic data for race, color, and national origin was evaluated to identify racial and ethnic communities and populations in each Affected Community. The demographic composition by race, color, or national origin for the specific Affected Communities are as follows6:
Affected Community: City of Santa Barbara
Total Affected Community Population: 86,572
Demographic Group within Affected
Community
Number of People in
Minority Group
Percent of Total
Affected Community
Population
White 62,291 71%
Black or African American 1,472 2%
American Indian or Alaska Native 641 1%
Asian 3,269 4%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 93 <1%
Hispanic or Latino 31,756 36%
More than one 9,111 10%
No response / would not say 11,297 13%
Affected Community: City of Goleta
Total Affected Community Population: 32,455
Demographic Group within Affected
Community
Number of People in
Minority Group
Percent of Total
Affected Community
Population
White 19,769 61%
Black or African American 824 3%
American Indian or Alaska Native 176 1%
Asian 3,120 10%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 0%
Hispanic or Latino 11,971 37%
More than one 3754 12%
No response / would not say 4,812 15%
6 Recommend using demographic groups from the U.S. Census. 8 Affected Community: Eastern Goleta Valley
Total Affected Community Population: 28,897
Demographic Group within Affected
Community
Number of People in
Minority Group
Percent of Total
Affected Community
Population
White 21,981 76%
Black or African American 173 1%
American Indian or Alaska Native 340 1%
Asian 1,453 5%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 83 <1%
Hispanic or Latino 6,981 24%
More than one 2,453 8%
No response / would not say 2,414 8%
Affected Community: Isla Vista
Total Affected Community Population: 14,234
Demographic Group within Affected
Community
Number of People in
Minority Group
Percent of Total
Affected Community
Population
White 8,973 63%
Black or African American 782 5%
American Indian or Alaska Native 178 1%
Asian 2,156 15%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 6 <1%
Hispanic or Latino 3,401 24%
More than one 784 6%
No response / would not say 1,355 10%
Affected Community: University of California, Santa Barbara Total Affected Community Population: 1,673
Demographic Group within Affected
Community
Number of People in
Minority Group
Percent of Total
Affected Community
Population
White 1,125 67%
Black or African American 37 2%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0 0%
Asian 242 14%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 0%
Hispanic or Latino 284 17%
More than one 121 7%
No response / would not say 1,355 9%
9 Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
The goal of all language access planning and implementation is to ensure that City of Santa Barbara communicates effectively with limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. Effective language access requires self-assessment and planning. The next table lists non-English languages7 that are spoken in LEP households in the Affected Communities. The data source is the American Community Survey.
The threshold we have used for identifying the languages with significant LEP populations is the DOT LEP Policy Guidance safe harbor threshold, which is 5% or 1,000, whichever is less.8 The safe harbor for our community is 1,000. Please refer to the end of this document to find data for all languages in our community.
Languages Spoken by LEP Population that
Meet the Safe Harbor Threshold
Number Margin of
Error
Spanish 19,055 +/-1,281
Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) 1,699 +/-366
Frequency of contact with LEP individuals at the airport and airport-related activities (all languages):
Languages Spoken by LEP Persons A few times a
year
(12 or less
days a year)
Several times
a month
(13 to 51 days
a year)
At least once
a week
(52 to 364
days a year)
Every day
(365 days a
year)
Spanish X
Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) X
No additional languages spoken by significant numbers of LEP persons in the Affected Communities, local schools, emergency service providers, or others were identified. 7 Recommend using language groups from the U.S. Census, and using data for the “Speak English less than ‘very well’” category for each language over the threshold.
8 See the DOT LEP Policy Guidance at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-23972/p-133. The safe harbor provisions apply to the translation of written documents only; however, it provides a consistent starting point for identifying significant LEP populations.
ATTACHMENT
This information is updated annually9 through checking the following resources:
Data Sources for Languages Spoken in Affected
Community
Website link to Data Source
U.S. Census Bureau https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=B16001 &tid=ACSDT1Y2019.B16001
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department www.countyofsb.org/410/Public-Health Santa Barbara Unified School District www.sbunified.org Goleta Union School District www.gusd.us
Beneficiary Diversity.
Demographic information is collected from airport customers, attendees at community meetings, and businesses seeking opportunities at the airport, through voluntary disclosures.
Description of Beneficiary Demographic Information Collection Methods Airport Marketing Team conducts biannual surveys of airport guests for customer satisfaction with airport concessions, restroom cleanliness, food offerings, and other elements and services.
The survey includes a voluntary request for demographic information. Participants at small business workshops, pre-bid meetings, and other public meetings are asked to complete an anonymous survey that includes demographic information. Businesses that submit bids or offers are asked to complete an anonymous survey that includes demographic information, submitted through a data collection website.
Staff and Advisory Board Diversity.
Demographic information is collected from airport program employees and members of planning and advisory boards, through voluntary disclosures.
Description of Employee and Advisory Board Demographic Information Collection Methods Employees are asked to submit voluntary confidential demographic information at time of hiring. Job applicants are asked to submit the same information when submitting their job application through the job application website.
Every 3 years, the airport administration sends an email to all board members asking them to voluntarily and anonymously enter demographic information through an online survey. 9 Data should be kept up-to-date, but this plan does not need to be updated for incremental data changes during the Plan’s 3-year period.
11 7. Potential or Known Community Impacts
Projects or services receiving federal financial assistance have the potential to touch so many aspects of American life. Thus, in general, no City of Santa Barbara activity must have a discriminatory disparate impact on the basis of race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age. This means that policies or procedures that have a disparate impact would require a well-documented substantial legitimate nondiscriminatory justification, summarized below. Impacts to protected communities must be avoided or minimized to the extent possible. No project with a discriminatory impact on protected communities will be undertaken.10
The following airport facilities are already in use or under construction and expected to be in use within the next 3 years:
Existing Airport Facilities Affected Community Impacted by Operation of the Facility
Runway 7-25 City of Goleta, Eastern Goleta Valley
Runway 15L-33R None
Runway 15R-33L None
Airline Terminal None
Southfield Redevelopment Project None
The following airport facility projects (including all alternatives) are in construction or expected to be in construction within the next 3 years:
Airport Facility Construction Projects Affected Community Impacted by Construction of the Facility
Southfield Redevelopment Project None
Airline Terminal Improvement Project None
Taxiway H Extension Project None
We have analyzed the above existing facilities and facility construction projects for disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including LEP) in Affected Communities.
None of them have disparate impacts.
8. Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Executive Order 13166
In creating a Language Assistance Plan, the City of Santa Barbara will consider the volume, proportion, or frequency of contact with LEP persons in determining the appropriate language assistance to provide.
10 In order to carry out an alternative with a discriminatory impact, the airport sponsor must demonstrate that there was a substantial legitimate justification for the decision. The sponsor must also show that alternatives with less discriminatory impacts were meaningfully considered and rejected for legitimate reasons. 12 In Community Statistics section, we identified the following languages spoken by LEP persons in Affected Communities:
Language
Spanish
Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
The City of Santa Barbara also collects data for languages spoken by airport guests.11 Data sources include:
Data Sources for Languages Spoken by
Airport Guests
Website link to Data
Source
Airport DeepL usage data www.deepl.com
Airport Language Line usage data www.languageline.com
Airline-provided data N/A
Assumption from flight origin / destination N/A
Assistance requests to Security Operations
Center
None
Based on the above data, no additional languages have been identified as likely to be spoken by LEP airport guests.
The Title VI Coordinator will also actively engage with community educators, community groups, places of work, business groups, social groups, and the like to confirm that translation and interpretation services are accurate and effective. Additionally, the Title VI Coordinator will inform leadership and staff of the City of Santa Barbara of the responsibility to provide language access. We have made the following plans to provide translation services free of charge to ensure that individuals with LEP have access to the benefits of the airport:
Translation Services:
All written notices contain a statement in the identified languages, when appropriate, of how to receive translated written materials.
The following vendors have been identified for written translations:
Translation Vendors Languages
DeepL All above languages
Language Line All above languages
Information regarding translation services can be obtained at:
Location for Translation Assistance Languages
City website translate view Spanish
11 We aim to provide appropriate language assistance services to every LEP person encountered. This includes instances when LEP statistical data for a particular language was not available beforehand, or the safe harbor threshold for written translation was not met.
13 Volunteer multi-lingual staff pool Spanish
Airport Patrol and Custodians Spanish
Interpretation Services:
The following vendors have been identified for interpretation services:
Interpretation Vendors Languages
Listen Everywhere Cellular Telephone Application Spanish Language Line All above languages
Information regarding interpretation services can be obtained at:
https://santabarbaraca.gov/news/real-time-translation-and-audio-assistance-city-council-meetings Description of Interpretation Assistance Processes
The City of Santa Barbara Human Resources Department maintains a list of multilingual employees, the languages they speak, and their associated office telephone numbers. The list indicates whether each employee is proficient in providing interpretation and/or translation services. The list is updated annually in the Public Information Handbook and provided to all airport employees. Generally, these employee volunteers are available to assist members of the public with verbal real-time interpretation, during normal business hours.
The Airport contracts with Language Line to provide on-demand telephone interpretation services to Airport guests. When a request for an interpreter is received, the following process is used: Airport information desk staff use I-Speak cards to identify the language spoken by the airport guest. Staff contacts Language Line and “parks” the request in the queue for the appropriate language. Language Line operators will coordinate connect the requesting party to an interpreter for the duration of the call. The completed call is then logged in the Language Line binder. This log is kept for one year.
9. Transportation
49 Part CFR 21 Appendix C (a)(1)(ix)
In the Community Statistics section of this plan, we identified Affected Communities and provided demographic and related data for the community populations. The minority and disadvantaged community areas located within the Affected Communities are identified below.
Other minority and disadvantaged community areas that are near the airport but not within Affected Communities are also identified below.
We have coordinated with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and the Santa Barbara County Metropolitan Transit District to encourage them to provide transit service access between the airport and these areas.
The following chart identifies existing and planned transit services connecting the airport employment centers with the identified minority and disadvantaged community areas. 14 Minority and/or Disadvantaged
Community Areas
Transit Service Planned or Existing
All Five Communities MTD Line 11 Existing
All Five Communities EasyLift Paratransit Service Existing City of Goleta/UC Santa Barbara Electric Shuttle Service Planned
10. Minority Businesses
49 CFR 21 Appendix C (a)(1)(x)
Bids for airport concessions and other business opportunities are solicited from area minority and woman-owned businesses through the following methods:
Airport Business
Opportunity
Minority Business Outreach Methods
Concessions Opportunities Advertised through PlanetBids.com, an online portal for all City of Santa Barbara procurement opportunities and send notices via current outreach email lists.
As part of the advertising for procurement opportunities the City of Santa Barbara identifies opportunities available for minority and women-owned businesses, although it is legally prohibited from giving preference to such businesses per California Proposition 209 (1996).
Parking Lot Operations
Contract
Advertised through PlanetBids.com, an online portal for all City of Santa Barbara procurement opportunities and send notices via current outreach email lists.
Other Contracting
Opportunities
Advertised through PlanetBids.com, an online portal for all City of Santa Barbara as well as regional public and private sector procurement opportunities; send notices via current outreach email lists; and host periodic outreach events including specific outreach targeted toward both construction and professional services.
Selections are in compliance with Title VI, Part 21, and related requirements. Information on the award process and documentation for specific bid decisions is kept with the City General Services Division.
11. Training
New employee orientation incorporates Title VI training. Topics include:
15 Title VI and related laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age
Title VI complaints must be forwarded to the Coordinator Protections against retaliation for filing civil rights complaints or related actions Title VI notices must be displayed throughout the airport public facilities All contracts must include Title VI clauses
Language interpretation and translation services
Cultural and community relations sensitivity training Anti-harassment training
Refresher information will be provided annually.
12. Compliance Reviews, Audits, Complaints, Lawsuits, and Other Investigations
FAA Notification. The Coordinator will notify FAA of any pending investigations and reviews, including:
Compliance reviews or audits concerning civil rights requirements12 Complaints, lawsuits, or other investigations alleging noncompliance with civil rights requirements13
As discussed in the Title VI Complaints Section, Title VI complaints must be forwarded to FAA contacts within 15 days of receipt. For all other civil rights investigations, the City of Santa Barbara must notify FAA contacts of any new investigations prior to grant execution.
At regular intervals, the Coordinator will provide FAA contacts with status updates for the investigations and reviews, until completed. For each existing investigation or review completed within 5 years of this plan, the Coordinator will also provide a statement about the outcome, unless previously provided.
13. Title VI Complaints
49 CFR 21.11; 49 CFR 21 Appendix C (b)(3); 28 CFR 42.406(d) Scope. These procedures are for complaints of discrimination under Title VI and related laws (hereafter “Title VI Complaints.” In order to be a Title VI Complaint, the complaint must:
12 Includes any Title VI, ADA, Sec. 504, Title VII/EEO, or other civil rights program compliance review or audit to be performed on the airport sponsor or any of its sub-recipients by any State, local or Federal agency. 13 Includes allegations of discrimination based on race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age, whether because of actions of the airport sponsor itself, or its employees, contractors, or tenants. Includes noncompliance with related administrative requirements under civil rights laws.
16 1. Allege discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age or violations administrative requirements under Title VI or related laws.
2. Not only be for employment matters14
3. Allege misconduct by the City of Santa Barbara, including airport employees, contractors, concessionaires, lessees, or tenants.
4. Concern an airport facility or actions by the City of Santa Barbara including airport employees, contractors, concessionaires, lessees, or tenants.
Rights. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), creed, or age has the right to file a complaint with the City of Santa Barbara.15 Alternatively, they can file a formal complaint with an outside agency, such as the U.S.
Departments of Justice or Transportation, or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or seek other legal remedies.
Receipt of Complaint. The Coordinator will log in the complaint and promptly send copies of the complaint to the Human Resources Department, the Airport Director, and the office named in the complaint.
Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory event, must be in writing, and must be delivered to:
Andrew Bermond, SBA Facilities Manager
Title VI Coordinator
1699 Norman Firestone Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 692-6057
[email protected]
If a complaint is initially made by phone, it must be supplemented with a written complaint before 180 days after the discriminatory event has passed. If a verbal complaint is received, the complainant should be given a copy of the Airport Discrimination Complaint Procedures and instructed to submit a written complaint. Accommodation will be provided upon request to individuals unable to file a written complaint due to a disability.
Initial Procedure. The Coordinator may meet with the complainant to clarify the issues, obtain additional information, and determine if informal resolution might be possible in lieu of an 14 Complaints of employment discrimination must be addressed as required by EEOC and other applicable authorities with jurisdiction over employment matters. If an Airport sponsor employment activity is supported by FAA-provided financial assistance or it is alleged that the employment discrimination affects the broader airport program, complaints about that activity must also be reported to FAA. 15 17
investigation. If successfully resolved, the Coordinator will issue a closure letter to the complainant, record the disposition in the complaints log, and report the resolution to FAA.
Discrimination Complaint Referral Procedure
Internal Complaint Referral. All Title VI complaints must be promptly forwarded to the Coordinator within 24 hours.
Initial FAA Notification. A copy of each Title VI complaint will be forwarded to the FAA within 15 days of initial receipt (not the date that the Coordinator was notified). The Coordinator will forward a copy of the complaint and a statement describing all actions taken to resolve the matter, and the results thereof to the FAA Civil Rights staff. (Note: complaints based on disability do not have to be forwarded to FAA.) To transmit complaint information to the FAA, the Coordinator will upload the complaint to the FAA Civil Rights Connect System. The Coordinator will also seek technical assistance from FAA, as needed, throughout complaint intake, investigation and resolution process.
Investigation Procedure
Assignment of Investigator. The Coordinator will immediately begin the investigation or designate an investigator.
Cooperation with FAA. The Coordinator will promptly investigate all Title VI complaints, including those referred by the FAA for investigation. If the FAA is investigating a complaint against the Santa Barbara Airport or the City of Santa Barbara, the Coordinator will avoid interfering with the FAA investigation, cooperate with the FAA when needed, and share factual information with the FAA.
Prompt Investigation. The Coordinator will make every effort to complete discrimination complaint investigations within 60 calendar days after the complaint is received. Some investigations may take longer with a justification for the delay and assurance that the investigation is being completed as quickly as possible.
Contact with Complainant. The Coordinator will meet with the complainant to clarify the issues and obtain additional information, and also speak with community members and potential witnesses, as appropriate.
Investigation Report. After completing the investigation, the Coordinator will prepare a written report.
Consultation with Legal Counsel. In each case, the Coordinator will consult with Legal Counsel regarding the investigation and the report. The City Attorney’s Office will ensure that the report is consistent with the DOT and FAA Title VI nondiscrimination requirements.
Prompt Resolution of Disputes. The Coordinator will emphasize voluntary compliance and quickly and fairly resolve disputes with complainants, or with contractors, tenants, or other 18 persons, through the Human Resources Department mediation process.
Forwarding Report and Response to Complainant. At the completion of the investigation, the complainant and respondent will receive a letter of findings and determination of the investigation and any applicable resolution. The letter transmitting the findings and any applicable resolution will state Santa Barbara Airport’s conclusion regarding whether unlawful discrimination occurred, and will describe the complainant’s appeal rights. A summary of the investigation report, any appeal, or follow-up actions will be sent to the FAA via the FAA Civil Rights Connect System.
Appeal Rights. The complainant must be notified of their right to appeal the findings or determinations, and of the procedures and requirements for an appeal:
The complainant may appeal in writing to the Airport Director. The written appeal must be received within 20 business days after receipt of the written decision.
The written appeal must contain all arguments, evidence, and documents supporting the basis for the appeal.
The Airport Director will issue a final written decision in response to the appeal.
Avoiding Future Discrimination. In addition to taking action with respect to any specific instances of discrimination, the Santa Barbara Airport will identify and implement measures to reduce the chances of similar discrimination in the future.
Intimidation and Retaliation Prohibited. Santa Barbara Airport employees, contractors, and tenants will not intimidate or retaliate against a person who has filed a complaint alleging discrimination.
For information on filing a complaint with DOT/FAA, please contact Andrew Bermond.
This complaint procedure is shared with the public through the following methods:
Website, In-person, and Other Distribution Methods
1 Santa Barbara Airport’s Title VI page at www.flysba.com/civilrights 2 Recorded presentation to the Santa Barbara City Council on December 12, 2023 3 In person at annual Airport Stakeholder meetings
19 14. Population / Language Data
Source: American Community
Survey, 2021: Poverty Status in the
Past 12 Months
Santa Barbara CCD, Santa Barbara County, California
Total Below poverty level Percent below
poverty level
Label Estimate Margin
of Error Estimate Margin of Error Estimate Margin of Error Population for whom poverty status
is determined 177,671 ±1,855 27,580 ±1,935 15.5% ±1.1
AGE
Under 18 years 29,995 ±1,167 2,940 ±699 9.8% ±2.2
Under 5 years 7,971 ±642 661 ±282 8.3% ±3.3
5 to 17 years 22,024 ±1,053 2,279 ±622 10.3% ±2.7
Related children of
householder under 18 years 29,723 ±1,172 2,681 ±676 9.0% ±2.2 18 to 64 years 115,696 ±1,648 22,228 ±1,559 19.2% ±1.3
18 to 34 years 55,785 ±1,682 17,415 ±1,338 31.2% ±1.9
35 to 64 years 59,911 ±1,259 4,813 ±744 8.0% ±1.2
60 years and over 43,053 ±1,144 3,220 ±523 7.5% ±1.2
65 years and over 31,980 ±862 2,412 ±445 7.5% ±1.4
SEX
Male 87,993 ±1,370 12,217 ±1,172 13.9% ±1.3
Female 89,678 ±1,463 15,363 ±1,265 17.1% ±1.4
RACE AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN
White alone 124,716 ±2,466 16,604 ±1,206 13.3% ±1.0
Black or African American alone 3,361 ±609 1,013 ±275 30.1% ±7.3 American Indian and Alaska
Native alone 1,338 ±432 127 ±102 9.5% ±7.3
Asian alone 10,553 ±893 2,897 ±406 27.5% ±3.2
Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander alone 182 ±171 75 ±58 41.2% ±38.8
Some other race alone 20,512 ±2,141 4,203 ±947 20.5% ±4.0 Two or more races 17,009 ±1,798 2,661 ±955 15.6% ±5.1
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any
race) 55,808 ±2,012 9,802 ±1,492 17.6% ±2.5
White alone, not Hispanic or
Latino 102,132 ±2,102 13,068 ±947 12.8% ±0.9
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 years and over 117,506 ±1,394 9,898 ±954 8.4% ±0.8 20 Less than high school
graduate 12,051 ±1,006 2,373 ±633 19.7% ±4.5
High school graduate
(includes equivalency) 13,807 ±888 1,728 ±363 12.5% ±2.3 Some college, associate's
degree 29,983 ±1,314 3,142 ±536 10.5% ±1.6
Bachelor's degree or higher 61,665 ±1,690 2,655 ±387 4.3% ±0.6
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Civilian labor force 16 years and
over 98,355 ±1,798 12,325 ±1,189 12.5% ±1.2
Employed 93,313 ±1,755 10,230 ±1,017 11.0% ±1.1
Male 49,375 ±1,388 4,301 ±615 8.7% ±1.2
Female 43,938 ±1,238 5,929 ±850 13.5% ±1.9
Unemployed 5,042 ±690 2,095 ±463 41.6% ±6.2
Male 2,499 ±438 871 ±261 34.9% ±7.8
Female 2,543 ±576 1,224 ±395 48.1% ±8.3
WORK EXPERIENCE
Population 16 years and over 151,275 ±1,808 25,111 ±1,657 16.6% ±1.1 Worked full-time, year-round
in the past 12 months 57,106 ±1,587 1,557 ±355 2.7% ±0.6 Worked part-time or partyear in the past 12 months 47,885 ±1,710 13,037 ±1,091 27.2% ±1.9 Did not work 46,284 ±1,243 10,517 ±835 22.7% ±1.7
ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH INCOME BELOW THE FOLLOWING POVERTY RATIOS 50 percent of poverty level 17,261 ±1,595 (X) (X) (X) (X) 125 percent of poverty level 33,248 ±1,974 (X) (X) (X) (X) 150 percent of poverty level 39,223 ±2,400 (X) (X) (X) (X) 185 percent of poverty level 46,770 ±2,530 (X) (X) (X) (X) 200 percent of poverty level 50,506 ±2,468 (X) (X) (X) (X) 300 percent of poverty level 68,673 ±2,558 (X) (X) (X) (X) 400 percent of poverty level 87,095 ±2,464 (X) (X) (X) (X) 500 percent of poverty level 102,194 ±2,403 (X) (X) (X) (X)
UNRELATED INDIVIDUALS FOR
WHOM POVERTY STATUS IS
DETERMINED 59,709 ±2,228 20,560 ±1,326 34.4% ±1.7
Male 28,623 ±1,394 9,007 ±875 31.5% ±2.3
Female 31,086 ±1,604 11,553 ±1,044 37.2% ±2.5
15 years 0 ±31 0 ±31 - **
16 to 17 years 255 ±134 251 ±134 98.4% ±3.1
18 to 24 years 19,847 ±1,326 13,912 ±1,180 70.1% ±3.1
25 to 34 years 12,545 ±1,013 1,612 ±309 12.8% ±2.2
35 to 44 years 4,520 ±547 752 ±210 16.6% ±4.1
21 45 to 54 years 4,122 ±521 880 ±233 21.3% ±4.5
55 to 64 years 6,258 ±614 1,371 ±292 21.9% ±4.2
65 to 74 years 6,225 ±652 798 ±198 12.8% ±3.0
75 years and over 5,937 ±691 984 ±278 16.6% ±3.7
Mean income deficit for unrelated
individuals (dollars) 8,888 ±320 (X) (X) (X) (X)
Worked full-time, year-round in
the past 12 months 20,282 ±1,234 930 ±308 4.6% ±1.5
Worked less than full-time, yearround in the past 12 months 21,942 ±1,326 11,197 ±946 51.0% ±2.6 Did not work 17,485 ±941 8,433 ±660 48.2% ±2.9
Population in housing units for
whom poverty status is determined 176,479 ±1,847 26,886 ±1,910 15.2% ±1.1 22 Source: American Community Survey, 2015: Language Spoken at Home by Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Older
Santa Barbara CCD, Santa
Barbara County, California
Language & Ability Level Estimate Margin of Error
Total: 182,584 ±1,185
Speak only English 121,613 ±1,686
Spanish or Spanish Creole: 43,971 ±1,453
Speak English "very well" 24,916 ±1,309
Speak English less than "very well" 19,055 ±1,281
French (incl. Patois, Cajun): 1,195 ±258
Speak English "very well" 1,072 ±246
Speak English less than "very well" 123 ±70
French Creole: 49 ±70
Speak English "very well" 8 ±14
Speak English less than "very well" 41 ±67
Italian: 764 ±241
Speak English "very well" 615 ±226
Speak English less than "very well" 149 ±81
Portuguese or Portuguese Creole: 389 ±141
Speak English "very well" 349 ±133
Speak English less than "very well" 40 ±37
German: 1,852 ±442
Speak English "very well" 1,464 ±374
Speak English less than "very well" 388 ±223
Yiddish: 69 ±68
Speak English "very well" 63 ±69
Speak English less than "very well" 6 ±10
Other West Germanic languages: 212 ±81
Speak English "very well" 207 ±80
Speak English less than "very well" 5 ±8
Scandinavian languages: 647 ±277
Speak English "very well" 511 ±206
Speak English less than "very well" 136 ±106
Greek: 196 ±125
Speak English "very well" 164 ±103
Speak English less than "very well" 32 ±40
Russian: 402 ±146
Speak English "very well" 309 ±124
Speak English less than "very well" 93 ±71
Polish: 157 ±90
Speak English "very well" 130 ±85
Speak English less than "very well" 27 ±24
23 Serbo-Croatian: 51 ±51
Speak English "very well" 42 ±43
Speak English less than "very well"9 ±15
Other Slavic languages: 176 ±155
Speak English "very well" 124 ±122
Speak English less than "very well" 52 ±44
Armenian: 164 ±93
Speak English "very well" 139 ±79
Speak English less than "very well" 25 ±39
Persian: 539 ±190
Speak English "very well" 415 ±167
Speak English less than "very well" 124 ±105
Gujarati: 150 ±95
Speak English "very well" 90 ±79
Speak English less than "very well" 60 ±67
Hindi: 557 ±214
Speak English "very well" 517 ±211
Speak English less than "very well" 40 ±41
Urdu: 67 ±55
Speak English "very well" 48 ±36
Speak English less than "very well" 19 ±24
Other Indic languages: 337 ±138
Speak English "very well" 325 ±130
Speak English less than "very well" 12 ±37
Other Indo-European languages: 317 ±186
Speak English "very well" 294 ±162
Speak English less than "very well" 23 ±32
Chinese: 3,938 ±486
Speak English "very well" 2,239 ±304
Speak English less than "very well" 1,699 ±366
Japanese: 655 ±221
Speak English "very well" 298 ±115
Speak English less than "very well" 357 ±181
Korean: 762 ±198
Speak English "very well" 461 ±145
Speak English less than "very well" 301 ±149
Mon-Khmer, Cambodian: 81 ±77
Speak English "very well" 37 ±37
Speak English less than "very well" 44 ±68
Hmong:7 ±11
Speak English "very well"0 ±28
Speak English less than "very well"7 ±11
Thai: 122 ±95
24 Speak English "very well" 18 ±27
Speak English less than "very well" 104 ±90
Laotian: 9 ±14
Speak English "very well" 9 ±14
Speak English less than "very well" 0 ±28
Vietnamese: 913 ±216
Speak English "very well" 584 ±161
Speak English less than "very well" 329 ±154
Other Asian languages: 228 ±105
Speak English "very well" 190 ±97
Speak English less than "very well" 38 ±34
Tagalog: 608 ±192
Speak English "very well" 357 ±121
Speak English less than "very well" 251 ±121
Other Pacific Island languages: 250 ±107
Speak English "very well" 132 ±83
Speak English less than "very well" 118 ±67
Navajo: 0 ±28
Speak English "very well" 0 ±28
Speak English less than "very well" 0 ±28
Other Native North American languages: 4 ±8
Speak English "very well" 4 ±8
Speak English less than "very well" 0 ±28
Hungarian: 69 ±68
Speak English "very well" 46 ±49
Speak English less than "very well" 23 ±35
Arabic: 495 ±147
Speak English "very well" 273 ±97
Speak English less than "very well" 222 ±107
Hebrew: 223 ±108
Speak English "very well" 215 ±108
Speak English less than "very well" 8 ±12
African languages: 187 ±122
Speak English "very well" 187 ±122
Speak English less than "very well" 0 ±28
Other and unspecified languages: 159 ±116
Speak English "very well" 142 ±106
Speak English less than "very well" 17 ±20
25 15. Completed Unlawful Discrimination Poster
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Administration Division, Finance Department
SUBJECT: Measure C Annual Accountability Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and Funding Priorities [Resolution]
RECOMMENDATION: That Council:
A. Accept the Measure C Annual Accountability Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023; and
B. Adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Establishing Priorities for the Expenditure of Revenue from the Santa Barbara Critical Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure, and Rescinding Resolution 18-011.
DISCUSSION:
In November 2017, Santa Barbara voters approved Measure C which established a 1% district sales tax. The proceeds of the tax, estimated at approximately $30.0 Million per fiscal year, will be used to fund critical infrastructure capital projects, including streets, sidewalks, storm drains, a new police station, and other City facilities. The Measure C sales tax became effective on April 1, 2018, and will continue indefinitely.
Language articulating priorities as part of the ballot measure was developed from a robust community outreach effort. 17 community meetings and 10 Finance Committee meetings were held to gather feedback and workshop infrastructure needs. Additionally, over 500 comments cards were collected providing community priorities.
The Measure C ballot measure articulated the following priorities:
1. Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response;
2. Local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains;
3. Neighborhood fire stations/public safety infrastructure;
4. Parks, youth/senior services;
5. Address homelessness;
Agenda Item No. 29
File Code No. 210.01
Council Agenda Report
Measure C Annual Accountability Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and Funding Priorities [Resolution]
December 12, 2023
6. Help retain local businesses; and
7. Support other general services.
On February 6, 2018, the City Council adopted a resolution establishing priorities for Measure C expenditures. The Council determined that for the first five fiscal years the top priorities would include:
1. Planning, permitting, and bonding for a new police station facility;
2. Repairing local streets throughout the City, including related street infrastructure;
3. Replacing Fire Station No. 7;
4. Community projects to support the City's parks and library;
5. Business district infrastructure projects; and
6. Maintenance of City buildings.
Measure C required the formation of a seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee (Committee). The role of the Committee is to ensure Measure C revenues are spent as intended and in accordance with the tax ordinance. Measure C also required the preparation of an Annual Accountability Report (Report). The Report is intended to show what revenues were received and how those revenues were used. Because Measure C sales tax revenues are not legally restricted special taxes, it is important to demonstrate to the community that the City is using the revenues in the manner intended by the voters.
The Committee met on October 25, 2023, and made recommendations to staff and the City Council regarding the priority of funding for the next five years as follows:
1. Construction and debt service payments for a new police station facility;
2. Repairing local streets throughout the City, including related street infrastructure, improving toward a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) goal of 75+ in the next 10-12 years;
3. Address drainage infrastructure by completing a full assessment of the City’s drainage infrastructure;
4. Community projects to support the City’s parks and library;
5. Business district infrastructure projects, with a focus on the State Street Promenade;
6. Maintenance of City Buildings; and
7. Address homelessness by prioritizing housing and facilities.
Staff also recommend that Measure C funds be utilized for one-time, non-recurring costs, such as capital improvements. The recommendations of the Committee and staff have been incorporated into the attached resolution for consideration by City Council.
Summary of Annual Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2023 The preparation of the Report is specifically required by the Measure C ballot language and adopted ordinance. Its purpose is to provide a complete accounting of all Measure C sales tax revenues and a detailed discussion of how those funds were programmed. In conjunction with the creation of the Committee, it is intended to ensure full transparency to Council Agenda Report
Measure C Annual Accountability Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and Funding Priorities [Resolution]
December 12, 2023
the community and to demonstrate compliance with the intentions and priorities of the community supporting Measure C.
In addition to presenting the Report to the Committee, the Report will be provided annually to the City Council and posted to the Committee page on the City’s website so that anyone in the community can access the Report electronically.
The table below summarizes the Measure C-related expenditures through June 30, 2023, by major program area. In total, approximately $21.9 Million of expenditures were incurred on priority capital projects, the most significant in street repaving and other related projects.
The adopted Measure C budget for FY2024 is higher than prior estimates due to the anticipated economic recovery and sales tax activities following the COVID pandemic and appropriating available cash in the fund. Sales tax revenues continue to be more volatile than other tax sources and are more challenging to predict.
Program ($ Millions) Revised
Budget
Actual
Expenditure Encumbrance Remaining
Police $ 3.7 $ 2.0 $ 1.2 $ 0.5
Streets 26.6 10.6 12.1 3.9
Facilities 9.3 3.0 0.2 6.1
Library 8.0 4.1 3.2 0.7
Parks & Recreation 4.0 1.1 0.2 2.7
Public Works 3.7 1.1 0.8 1.8
Total $55.3 $21.9 $17.7 $15.7
The Report goes into detail regarding each project funded using Measure C funds and is attached for your further review. Staff presented the Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2023, to the Committee on October 25, 2023. The Committee members expressed support for receiving the Report. The next Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2024, where staff will provide an update of FY2024 projects in coordination with the upcoming budget process.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
There is no budget or financial impact from the review and acceptance of the Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2023.
The Report for FY2023 and for prior years can be accessed at the following site:
https://santabarbaraca.gov/citizens-oversight-committee ATTACHMENT: Annual Accountability Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
PREPARED BY: Natalija Glusac, Budget Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Keith DeMartini, Finance Director
APPROVED BY: City Administrator's Office
MEASURE C
ANNUAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT
Prepared for: Citizens’ Oversight Committee
October 25, 2023
ATTACHMENT
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO MEASURE C..................................................................................................3 COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES FOR MEASURE C FUNDING..........................................5
SCHEDULE OF SOURCES AND USES MEASURE C
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023.....................................................................................................6 FISCAL YEAR 2023 PROJECT INFORMATION SHEETS
POLICE
Santa Barbara City Police Station Project........................................................................................... 8
STREETS
Pavement Maintenance (Overlay) Project .......................................................................................... 9 Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs, and Access Ramps ...................................................................... 10 Lower State Street Connectivity Project............................................................................................ 11 Drainage Improvements.................................................................................................................... 12 Drainage: Citywide Drainage Assessment........................................................................................ 13 Drainage: Gutierrez Storm Drain Improvements............................................................................... 14 Westmont Storm Drain...................................................................................................................... 15 Drainage: Laguna Pump Station Repairs.......................................................................................... 16 Traffic Signal Upgrades and Maintenance........................................................................................ 17 West Carrillo Lighting and Signal Upgrades ..................................................................................... 18 Traffic Management System............................................................................................................. 19 Street Lighting Improvements ........................................................................................................... 20 Pedestrian Enhancement: Annual Sidewalk Infill.............................................................................. 21 Las Positas and Modoc Multiuse Path.............................................................................................. 22 Modoc Multiuse Path Extension........................................................................................................ 23
FACILITIES
Carrillo Gymnasium Renovation ....................................................................................................... 24 Facilities & Public Works Corporate Yard Master Plan..................................................................... 25 City Hall Plumbing and Restroom Upgrades..................................................................................... 26 Parking Lot – Public Works Corporate Yard Repavement................................................................ 27 Carrillo-Castillo Commuter Lot.......................................................................................................... 28 2 Minor Renewal – City Hall Elevator Replacement ............................................................................ 29 Minor Renewal – City Hall Fire Protection System ........................................................................... 30 Minor Renewal – Los Baños Building ............................................................................................... 31 Minor Renewal – Municipal Tennis Court Building............................................................................ 32 Minor Renewal – Fire Station 2......................................................................................................... 33 Minor Renewal – Fire Station 3......................................................................................................... 34 Minor Renewal – Fire Station 5......................................................................................................... 35 Minor Renewal – Fire Station 6......................................................................................................... 36 Minor Renewal – La Mesa Park Restroom ....................................................................................... 37 Minor Renewal – 630 Garden Building ............................................................................................. 38 630 Garden Building Security Upgrades........................................................................................... 39 630 Garden Building Fire Protection................................................................................................. 40 Police Annex Purchase..................................................................................................................... 41
LIBRARY
Eastside Library Garage Construction .............................................................................................. 42 Central Library Lower-Level Workspace Renovation........................................................................ 43 Central Library Plaza Improvement Project ...................................................................................... 44 Central Library Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Elevator........................................................ 45 Central Library Upper-Level Needs Assessment.............................................................................. 46
PARKS AND RECREATION
Louise Lowry Davis Renovation........................................................................................................ 47 Cabrillo Pavilion Renovation – Loan Repayment.............................................................................. 48 Ortega Park Renovation ................................................................................................................... 49 Dwight Murphy Field Renovation ...................................................................................................... 50 Urban Forest Management Plan Implementation ............................................................................. 51 Plaza Vera Cruz Renovation............................................................................................................. 52 Playground Replacement Program................................................................................................... 53 Plaza del Mar Band Shell Renovation............................................................................................... 54
PUBLIC WORKS
State Street Promenade Redesign ................................................................................................... 55 De la Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project......................................................................................... 56 Business Corridor Improvements...................................................................................................... 57 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan...................................................................... 58 FISCAL YEAR 2024
Schedule Of Sources And Uses Measure C Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 ............................59 Measure C Fiscal Year 2024 Projects.............................................................................................61 3 INTRODUCTION TO MEASURE C
In November 2017, Santa Barbara voters approved Measure C, which established a one-cent sales tax increase. The proceeds of the tax, currently estimated at $31.9 million per year, are used to fund critical infrastructure.
Measure C requires an Annual Accountability Report showing how revenues from the prior year were used. Given that these funds are not bound by legal restrictions, it is crucial for the community to see the City of Santa Barbara's (City) dedication to utilizing Measure C resources for the enhancement of vital infrastructure requirements.
FISCAL YEAR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Street maintenance remains a high priority, with a significant amount of Measure C funding distributed to repaving streets, repairing potholes, replacing bridges, and maintaining storm drains.
The City completed the Fiscal Year 2021 A & B and Fiscal Year 2022A Pavement Maintenance Projects, which involved grinding off deteriorated asphalt pavement and overlaying high-priority roadways with new asphalt. These projects also upgraded pedestrian access ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, upgraded traffic signals to improve pedestrian and roadway safety, and repaired curbs, gutters, and damaged sidewalks. The Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs, and Access Ramps Program enhanced pedestrian mobility throughout the City near important locations such as medical offices, hospitals, and grocery stores.
Measure C funding plays a crucial role in ensuring a vibrant and sustainable business environment by supporting local business retention. Improvements to business corridors like State Street, De la Vina Street, Milpas Street, and Coast Village Road are examples of ongoing efforts in this area. State Street’s interim closure to vehicular traffic allows for business corridor improvements such as landscaped planters, bollards, signage, and improved lighting. Other benefits including repairs to drinking fountains, landscape enhancement, replacement of electric pedestals, sidewalk repairs, and curb painting result in a safer, cleaner, and more aesthetic business district. The City also enhanced illumination and saved electricity and money with the Street Lighting Improvements Project, which installed LED systems in existing streetlights in the public right-of-way. 4 Multiple City renovation projects benefit from Measure C, such as the De la Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project, which will upgrade the historic plaza’s aesthetic look and structure and better serve the community’s arts and culture events throughout the year. Measure C funding supports the Santa Barbara Police Station Project, which will construct a new building to replace the current station, which is over 70 years old. The new building will provide the police force with technical improvements for today’s society, improve public relations, and provide the public with better access to services. The Lower State Street Connectivity Project will improve safety by widening sidewalks, installing buffered bike lanes, and adjusting travel lanes along State Street from Gutierrez Street to Yanonali Street. Additionally, as City operations increase, space becomes more critical at various City locations. Measure C funding will maximize space efficiency by renovating various City buildings. Measure C funds also supported the construction of a multiuse path from Calle De Los Amigos to the County line for the Modoc Multiuse Path Extension Project.
With 99 miles of storm drains, the City requires maintenance on this critical infrastructure. Measure C funds supplement the FEMA grant match that provides assistance for both the Drainage: Gutierrez Storm Drain Improvements Project, which enhances drainage for the lower Downtown area to reduce flooding during the storm season, and Drainage: Laguna Pump Station Repairs, which increases stormwater capacity for the pumping system. Both projects are scheduled to start construction in 2024.
Measure C also provides funding for projects aligning with City Council’s priorities for protecting parks, youth, and senior services. The Playground Replacement Project replaced aging park equipment and supported the completion of the Eastside Neighborhood Park playground. Measure C will also fund the Minor Renewal: Los Baños Building Project, which will update the City’s only year-round swimming pool that is susceptible to water damage and corrosion.
Accessibility and inclusion are other priorities for City operations and public facilities. The Central Library ADA Elevator Project will ensure the elevator complies with regulations and allows access to all three floors for the public and employees. The new elevator will feature a glass enclosure to complement the existing atrium. This project is currently under construction and is slated to be completed in 2024. In addition to the Central Library’s new glass elevator, there have been multiple Library upgrades and safety precaution projects funded by Measure C. The Central Library Plaza Improvement Project creates a more attractive and safe gathering space in the Library Plaza for visitors, as well as a space for public events and improves ADA access on the entire grounds. The Central Library Lower-Level Workspace Renovation Project, anticipated to be completed in late 2023, improves lighting, redesigns workspaces to be more ergonomic, and improves ADA access.
The Citizens’ Oversight Committee Annual Accountability Report, as well as information about these projects and more, is available at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Citizens-Oversight-Committee 5 COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES
FOR MEASURE C FUNDING
GENERAL ALLOCATION ARTICULATED IN BALLOT MEASURE
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
Addressing homelessness.
Helping retain local businesses.
COUNCIL STATED PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS*
Planning, permitting, and bonding for a new police station facility. Repairing local streets throughout the City, including related street infrastructure. Replacing Fire Station No. 7.
Community projects to support the City’s parks & library. Business district infrastructure projects.
Maintenance of City buildings.
*Resolution 18-011, City Council adopted February 6, 2018 6 SCHEDULE OF SOURCES AND USES
MEASURE C
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
SOURCES Budget Carryovers Amendments
Revised
Budget
Actual
Revenue N/A Remaining
Measure C Revenue $28,399,413 $0 $0 $28,399,413 $28,399,413 $0 $0 TOTAL SOURCES $28,399,413 $0 $0 $28,399,413 $28,399,413 $0 $0 USES Budget Carryovers Amendments
Revised
Budget
Actual
Expenditure Encumbered Remaining
Police
Santa Barbara City Police Station Project $4,593,880 $0 $(942,550) $3,651,330 $1,961,266 $1,163,500 $526,564 Streets
Pavement Improvements 12,000,000 3,882,392 351,574 16,233,966 8,426,545 6,287,266 1,520,155 Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs, & Access Ramps 1,900,000 242,038 399,000 2,541,038 598,895 1,942,038 105 Lower State Street Connectivity Project 1,091,000 0 0 1,091,000 0 0 1,091,000 Drainage Improvements 720,000 1,336,110 302,286 2,358,396 96,757 1,448,367 813,272 Traffic Signal Upgrades & Maintenance 620,000 456,496 48,221 1,124,717 129,643 995,074 0 Traffic Management System 500,000 0 0 500,000 59,872 417,121 23,007 Street Lighting Improvements 300,000 422,959 177,733 900,692 322,710 215,038 362,944 Pedestrian Enhancements: Sidewalk Infills 100,000 100,000 0 200,000 0 200,000 0 Multiuse Pathways 0 212,977 845,027 1,058,004 423,764 580,120 54,120 De la Vina Bridge 0 0 600,000 600,000 524,000 0 76,000
Facilities
Carrillo Gym Renovation 2,460,000 52,120 22,092 2,534,212 1,475 22,094 2,510,643 Facilities & PW Corporate Yard Master Plan 510,000 0 149,934 659,934 225,784 107,818 326,332 City Hall Plumbing & Restroom Upgrades 350,000 410 30,630 381,040 8,700 21,930 350,410 Parking Lots: PW Corporate Yard Repavement 345,000 4,818 0 349,818 0 0 349,818 Carrillo-Castillo Commuter Lot 250,000 0 0 250,000 0 0 250,000 Minor Renewal: City Hall 380,000 0 0 380,000 0 0 380,000 Minor Renewal: Los Banos Building 360,000 0 0 360,000 3,000 4,500 352,500 Minor Renewal: Municipal Tennis Building 300,000 160,000 0 460,000 24,127 7,500 428,373 Minor Renewal: Fire Stations 195,000 0 200,854 395,854 201,536 0 194,318 Minor Renewal: Parks Restrooms 145,000 53,560 0 198,560 0 0 198,560 Minor Renewal: 630 Garden Street Buildings 0 279,409 15,809 295,218 15,809 0 279,409 630 Garden Security Upgrades 0 240,000 0 240,000 0 0 240,000 630 Garden Fire Protection System 0 200,000 0 200,000 0 0 200,000 Police Annex Purchase 0 0 2,634,635 2,634,635 2,537,035 97,600 0 7 USES (continued) Budget Carryovers Amendments
Revised
Budget
Actual
Expenditure Encumbered Remaining
Library
Eastside Library Garage Construction 200,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 200,000 Central Library Lower-Level Workspace Renovate 0 526,785 2,687,826 3,214,611 1,647,665 1,345,292 221,654 Library Plaza Renovation 0 507,972 1,377,455 1,885,427 1,638,180 213,369 33,878 Central Library ADA Elevator 0 239,303 2,327,328 2,566,631 814,549 1,628,284 123,798 Central Library Upper-Level Needs Assessment 0 149,249 0 149,249 0 0 149,249 Parks & Recreation
Louise Lowry Davis Renovation 1,000,000 447,794 41,627 1,489,421 55,198 8,302 1,425,921 Cabrillo Pavilion Renovation - Loan Repayment 564,859 0 0 564,859 564,859 0 0 Ortega Park Renovation 500,000 0 195,918 695,918 115,258 80,660 500,000 Dwight Murphy Field Renovation 250,000 0 156,607 406,607 141,428 96,665 168,514 Tree Planting - Urban Forest Plan 250,000 0 45 250,045 249,041 0 1,004 Plaza Vera Cruz Renovation 200,000 0 0 200,000 8,800 0 191,200 Playground Replacement 150,000 115,000 0 265,000 31,016 0 233,984 Plaza del Mar Band Shell Renovation 0 175,000 0 175,000 0 0 175,000 Public Works
State Street Promenade Redesign 1,000,000 177,749 0 1,177,749 659,657 330,397 187,695 Plaza de La Guerra Revitalization Project 700,000 0 127,068 827,068 291,625 331,035 204,408 Business Corridor Improvements 500,000 421,624 24,987 946,611 83,431 12,800 850,380 ADA Transition Plan & Facility Walkways 350,000 350,802 17,922 718,724 35,849 135,289 547,586 TOTAL USES $32,784,739 $10,754,567 $11,792,028 $55,331,334 $21,897,474 $17,692,059 $15,741,801 8 PROJECT TITLE:
Santa Barbara City Police Station Project
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The existing Santa Barbara City Police
Station, located at 215 East Figueroa
Street, was constructed in 1959. Since that
time, there have been substantial
increases in both City population and
Police Department staff. In addition, the
building does not meet modern seismic
safety and accessibility standards.
Together, growth and insufficient building
standards have created the need for a
new, accessible, and modernized facility.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The Department currently operates out of four different locations and the new building will bring the entire Department under one roof. This will improve efficiency, collaboration, and morale. The new building will provide better access to services for the community, improve public relations, and will bring the police force the needed technical improvements expected in today's society. The building will be flexible for future changes to policing and can adapt to whatever the future holds.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 601 Santa Barbara Street (Cota Commuter Parking Lot) Design Schedule: Estimated Building Permit Date – summer 2024 Construction Schedule: Approximately 28 months, completion in late 2026 Total Project Costs: Approximately $90.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, Bond Measure, potential grants for solar Project Website: SantaBarbaraCA.gov/projects/santa-barbara-police-station-project COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
Addressing homelessness.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Brad Hess, Principal Project Manager
Phone: (805) 564-5373
E-mail: [email protected]
9 PROJECT TITLE:
Pavement Maintenance (Overlay) Project
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The FY2022B Pavement Maintenance and FY2023C
Concrete Repair and Maintenance Projects consist of
grinding off deteriorated asphalt pavement and overlaying with new asphalt on various high-priority streets throughout the City, and repairing concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalks in advance of paving efforts by both contractors and City crews. Additionally, the project will construct concrete improvements including pedestrian access ramps for
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and traffic signal upgrades.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will eliminate minor road defects and structural failures, and create a much smoother road surface, thereby improving road safety. In addition, the project will upgrade pedestrian access ramps to meet ADA requirements, make minor repairs to adjacent sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and repair traffic signals for improved safety and long-term reliability.
QUICK FACTS
Locations: FY2022B Locations: Haley Street from Castillo Street to Alisos Street; Chapala Street from Sola Street to Haley Street; Garden Street from Los Olivos Street to Anapamu Street; Olive Street from Sola Street to Ortega Street; Anacapa Street from Cota Street to Gutierrez Street. FY2023C Locations:
Upper Mesa, East Mesa, Westside, and Ontare neighborhoods. Additional work includes traffic signal repairs at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Loma Alta Drive.
Design Schedule: FY2022B completed January 2023, FY2023C completed May 2023 Construction Schedule: FY2022B – spring 2024, FY2023C – summer 2024 Total Project Costs: FY2022B – $13.5 Million, FY2023C – $8.1 Million Funding Source: Measure C, State Gas Tax (SB1), Measure A, Local Surface Transportation Program (LSTP) Grant funds.
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
10 PROJECT TITLE:
Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs, and Access Ramps
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Our annual pavement program is used as an opportunity
to address sidewalk replacement, repairs, and access
ramp construction in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
PROJECT BENEFITS
Improves pedestrian accessibility and mobility
throughout the City with prioritization to areas near
medical offices, hospitals, schools, grocery stores, etc.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Various locations constructed with FY2022B
and FY2023C Pavement Maintenance Project
Design Schedule: ongoing annual maintenance
Construction Schedule: ongoing annual maintenance
Total Project Costs: Approximately $1.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, Measure A
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and
storm drains.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
11 PROJECT TITLE:
Lower State Street Connectivity Project
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Highway 101-State Street Undercrossing
(Undercrossing) has among the highest
concentration of serious injuries to
pedestrians and cyclists in the City, and
improving safety for active transportation
users through the Undercrossing is a priority.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The project connects the City’s two most
active transportation-oriented neighborhoods:
Downtown and the Waterfront. The project
meets the community’s active transportation needs by widening the sidewalks along State Street from Gutierrez Street to Yanonali Street, installing lighting to illuminate the pedestrian walkway, installing buffered bike lanes, and adjusting travel lanes to improve safety along this collision-prone corridor.
QUICK FACTS
Location: State Street Undercrossing between Yanonali Street and Gutierrez Street Design Schedule: completed
Construction Schedule: October 2023 – year-end 2024
Total Project Costs: $11.5 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, Active Transportation Program Grant COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
12 PROJECT TITLE:
Drainage Improvements
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The City has obtained inventory and condition data for two priority areas which have experienced a significant amount of flooding in past rain events. Staff reviews the data and completes priority projects based on the limited budget available.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The projects result in decreased flooding during the wet season and reduced contaminants running into local creeks and the ocean.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: ongoing
Construction Schedule: ongoing
Total Project Costs: FY2023 – $290,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
13 PROJECT TITLE:
Drainage: Citywide Drainage Assessment
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The City owns and operates almost 160 miles
of storm drain channels, pipes, culverts, and
drains many of which are of unknown size
and materials. The City has obtained
inventory and condition data for two priority
areas and is working on completing a citywide assessment in order to develop a Storm Drain Asset Management Plan and Capital
Improvement Program. The Plan will prioritize
storm drain maintenance, repairs,
rehabilitation, and improvements.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Development of a comprehensive Storm Drain Asset Management Plan and Capital Improvement Program allows the City to prioritize and plan storm drain maintenance, repairs, rehabilitation, and improvements to reduce the number of emergency repairs and improve the City’s storm drain system.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: ongoing
Construction Schedule: ongoing
Total Project Costs: FY2022 – $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
14 PROJECT TITLE:
Drainage: Gutierrez Storm Drain Improvements
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Gutierrez storm drain system is
part of the Laguna Channel Drainage
System, which consists of a storm drain
pipe system, an open channel, pumps,
and ocean tide gates that collect and
drain runoff from a 1,850-acre drainage
area. During storm events, large flows
run down Laguna and Gutierrez Streets
and bypass existing catch basins
because of inadequate capacity of the
storm drain system, which is undersized
based on current design standards.
During low intensity storm events, the
storm drain system reaches capacity,
and the local streets convey overflow runoff. Measure C funds supplement the FEMA grant match which funds most of the project.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This Project will improve drainage to the low-lying lower downtown area to reduce flooding during the storm season to City infrastructure and private properties.
QUICK FACTS
Location: East Gutierrez Street between Garden Street and Olive Street Design Schedule: completed
Construction Schedule: spring 2024
Total Project Costs: $1.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
15 PROJECT TITLE:
Westmont Storm Drain
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Drainage capacity improvements for this channel which
receives water tributary to Sycamore Creek. The existing alignment of the channel into the storm drain results in underutilization of the storm system therefore causing
flooding and overland flow.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The project will regrade the streambed, reorient the inlet to align with the channel flow, install a new headwall, and install a new debris rack at the entrance to the inlet. Measure C funds supplement the FEMA grant match which funds most
of the project.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Westmont Road at Highway 192
Design Schedule: completed June 2019
Construction Schedule: Mitigation and monitoring through spring 2024
Total Project Costs: $300,000
Funding Source: Measure C, FEMA
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
16 PROJECT TITLE:
Drainage: Laguna Pump Station Repairs
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The renewal of the Laguna Channel Pump
Station will provide more storm water
capacity to the pumping system and will
address many deferred maintenance issues
at the Facility. The Facility is critical City
infrastructure that minimizes the impact of
flooding in the low-lying neighborhoods
between Laguna Street and Milpas Street.
The Facility was found to have compromised
structural integrity due to corrosion, cracked
concrete, and settlement of channel walls and
building slabs, which reduces the reliability of
the Facility. Measure C funds provide the
needed grant match to the approved FEMA
funding for the bulk of the project.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Improved storm water drainage to the lower downtown area between Laguna Street and Milpas Street and emergency backup of this critical system.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: completed
Construction Schedule: spring 2024
Total Project Costs: $5.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
17 PROJECT TITLE:
Traffic Signal Upgrades and Maintenance
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This annual project is necessary to replace aging traffic signal infrastructure to ensure long-term reliability. Most work involves replacement of underground conduit and
wiring. Many Downtown traffic signals are over 60 years old, with underground conduit and wiring that is at risk of failure. Traffic signal work will be coordinated with
pavement and sidewalk maintenance projects.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project maintains public safety and reduces traffic congestion by keeping traffic signals operating reliably.
Upgraded wiring improves reliability and facilitates safety upgrades such as pedestrian countdown timers, lighting, and accessible push buttons for the blind. Work in 2019 and 2020 included the refurbishment of traffic signals
along the Mission Street and Santa Barbara Street
corridors. Work in 22B project includes refurbishment of traffic signals along the Haley Street corridor.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Haley Street (Anacapa Street to Salsipuedes Street), Chapala Street at Figueroa Street, and Shoreline Drive at Loma Alta Drive. The FY2024 project includes maintenance and upgrades at State Street and Las Positas Road, State Street and De la Vina Street, and State Street and Calle Laureles.
The FY2025 project is planned to include major maintenance and upgrades along Anacapa Street in coordination with the planned Anacapa Street pavement maintenance project.
Design Schedule: fall 2021 – spring 2022
Construction Schedule: summer 2022
Total Project Costs: $620,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency.
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Derrick Bailey, Acting Streets Operations and Infrastructure Manager Phone: (805) 564-5544
E-mail: [email protected]
18 PROJECT TITLE:
West Carrillo Lighting and Signal Upgrades
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
West Carrillo Lighting and Signal Upgrade and
Overlay Project was identified as part of the City’s
annual collision analysis and is located along the
Carrillo Street Vision Zero Priority Corridor where
there are high concentrations of fatal and severe
traffic collisions. A review of the collisions along the West Carrillo Street corridor revealed that there is a
high frequency of injury related crashes occurring at
night and a pattern of broadside collisions at the
intersection of Carrillo Street and San Andres Street.
Grant funding was used for safety upgrades to street
lighting and traffic signals, and Measure C was used
for pavement and concrete repairs.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The project includes countermeasures to address
the identified pattern of collisions and to provide
accessibility improvements through the Carrillo Street
corridor.
QUICK FACTS
Location: West Carrillo Street at San Andres Street and San Pascual Street Design Schedule: completed March 2021
Construction Schedule: completed August 2022
Total Project Costs: $3.8 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
19 PROJECT TITLE:
Traffic Management System
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The 1990's era central traffic signal
system is no longer supported by the
vendor. Failure would result in a loss
of synchronization of traffic signals
and loss of ability to adjust traffic
signal timing. The project also
includes replacement of 1970's to
1990's era traffic signal controllers.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Maintain synchronization of traffic
signals and ability to adjust traffic
signal timing to meet traffic demands and long-term reliability of traffic signal equipment.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: March 2022.
Construction Schedule: fall 2023.
Total Project Costs: $500,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Derrick Bailey, Acting Streets Operations and Infrastructure Manager Phone: (805) 564-5544
E-mail: [email protected]
20 PROJECT TITLE:
Street Lighting Improvements
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The project provides for the retrofit of existing
streetlighting systems with high efficiency LED systems, which saves electricity and provides better light quality.
It also funds major repairs to streetlighting infrastructure damage due to vehicle collisions.
PROJECT BENEFITS
These improvements provide better lighting quality in
the Public Right of Way and energy savings and related
cost savings.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: summer 2023
Construction Schedule: fall 2023
Total Project Costs: $300,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jefferson Litten, Energy and Climate Program Manager Phone: (805) 564-5474
E-mail: [email protected]
21 PROJECT TITLE:
Pedestrian Enhancement: Annual Sidewalk Infill
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This annual program is used for smaller sidewalk infill projects that fit within available funding and are likely to be funded through this Sidewalk Infill Program. The
purpose of this project is to improve pedestrian
walkability and accessibility in neighborhoods and
commercial districts.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project creates a safer, predictable walking
environment by installing sidewalks in gaps between
existing walkways, improving pedestrian walkability and accessibility in neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: summer 2023
Construction Schedule: fall 2023
Total Project Costs: FY2022 – $300,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
22 PROJECT TITLE:
Las Positas and Modoc Multiuse Path
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This project constructed a 2.6-mile-long
separated pathway for bicyclists, runners,
and pedestrians of all ages and abilities
along two high speed arterials – Las Positas
Road and Modoc Road. The project
removed a significant safety barrier along
the Pacific Coastal Bike Route and the
Crosstown Bike Route and is an important
part of a larger planned network of safe bike
routes for all ages and abilities that will
extend from UCSB and Goleta to the west,
into Ventura County to the east.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The project improved safety for all modes of transportation along these corridors, implemented strategic traffic calming measures, habitat restoration, storm water treatment, and improved accessibility to public amenities adjacent to the corridor, including Elings Park, Hendry's Beach, and City-owned open space.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Modoc Road from Calle De Los Amigos to Las Positas Road, and Las Positas Road from Modoc Road to Cliff Drive.
Design Schedule: completed spring 2020
Construction Schedule: completed fall 2022
Total Project Costs: $18.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, Active Transportation Program Grant COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
23 PROJECT TITLE:
Modoc Multiuse Path Extension
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The County of Santa Barbara
constructed a Class I multiuse path
from Via Senda to the City/County line
leaving a gap between the County path
and the City’s newly constructed Las
Positas Multiuse Path. This project
closes the gap between Calle De Los
Amigos and the County.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This Project will build approximately
600 linear feet of multiuse path south
of Modoc Road connecting the City of
Santa Barbara's existing Las Positas
and Modoc Multiuse Path to Santa
Barbara County's Multiuse Path that is currently under construction.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Modoc Road from the City/County line to Calle De Los Amigos Design Schedule: fall 2022
Construction Schedule: completion fall 2023
Total Project Costs: $1.14 Million
Funding Source: Measure C (City match), Measure A
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Laura Yanez, Principal Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5424
E-mail: [email protected]
24 PROJECT TITLE:
Carrillo Gymnasium Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan,
the Carrillo Gymnasium is designated a City
Landmark. This stucco-finished building needs
exterior structural repairs, waterproofing, and
window replacement to continue to serve the
recreational needs of Santa Barbara.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The overall project goal is to halt the broad
degradation of the building by addressing and
repairing the root causes. Work will include
exterior concrete and stucco repairs, window
repair and replacement, and exterior
waterproofing. Additionally, the building will
receive a seismic assessment to identify any
major structural issues.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Carrillo Gymnasium, 114 East Carrillo Street
Design Schedule: completed winter 2022
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $2.64 Million
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2021–2023)
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
25 PROJECT TITLE:
Facilities & Public Works Corporate Yard Master Plan
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The majority of these buildings were constructed
in the 1970s and have been renovated multiple
times to meet changing needs. As City operations
expand and space becomes more critical, the City
needs to consider consolidating operations and
other measures to maximize space efficiency.
Except for the 630 Garden Street building, all
other buildings are single level.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The first phase of this project assesses the
current and future needs of the City. The second
phase consists of an analysis of alternative
solutions, final recommendations, and a roadmap
on how to meet the goals of the Capital
Improvement Program.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Corporate Yard at 630 Garden Street,
Laguna Yard at 616-635 Laguna Street, and
Corporate Yard Annex at 401 East Yanonali
Street.
Design Schedule: fall 2021
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $200,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
26 PROJECT TITLE:
City Hall Plumbing and Restroom Upgrades
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Upgrades are needed for the second-floor restrooms at
City Hall, as well as the general plumbing in the building.
Both the water distribution system and the drainage
system have exceeded their serviceable life and require either repairs or replacements. The restrooms require
reconfiguration for compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
PROJECT BENEFITS
New plumbing fixtures and water supply lines will be
installed, and the renovated restrooms will provide
accessible facilities to the public and employees. This project will be constructed with the City Hall Elevator Replacement.
QUICK FACTS
Location: City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street
Design Schedule: summer 2020
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $75,000
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2020)
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
27 PROJECT TITLE:
Parking Lot – Public Works Corporate Yard Repavement
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The existing Public Works Corporate Yard
parking lot pavement has degraded past
its usable lifespan and requires a complete
replacement.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Repaving the Public Works Corporate
Yard parking lot will provide a smooth and
safe driving and parking surface for City
vehicles.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Public Works Corporate Yard, 625 Laguna Street Design Schedule: fall 2019
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2020)
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains. Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
28 PROJECT TITLE:
Carrillo-Castillo Commuter Lot
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The City and the Housing Authority of the
City of Santa Barbara have entered into a
partnership to develop the City-owned
Carrillo-Castillo Commuter Lot into
affordable housing.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will clean up contaminated
soil as required by the Development
Agreement and as necessary to complete
the housing development. The area of
contamination is not very extensive and is
primarily lead clean up.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 400 West Carrillo Street at Castillo Street
Design Schedule: summer 2024
Construction Schedule: September 2024 – December 2025
Total Project Costs: $250,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Addressing homelessness.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Brian Bosse, Public Works Manager
Phone: (805) 564-5390
E-mail: [email protected]
29 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – City Hall Elevator Replacement
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is to develop a feasibility study and a design for a new Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)-compliant, three-story passenger elevator to serve City Hall. This elevator currently serves only two of the three floors at City Hall, and it does not comply with maneuvering clearances, and signage.
PROJECT BENEFITS
A new, fully accessible elevator will be used by the public and employees, providing elevator access to all three floors at City Hall and eliminating deferred maintenance associated with the outdated cab and machinery.
QUICK FACTS
Location: City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street
Design Schedule: fall 2021
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $140,000
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2020-2021), General
Fund – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
30 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – City Hall Fire Protection System
WHY THIS PROJECT?
City Hall needs a fire detection/alarm system to
assist in communicating and expediting egress
in the event of an emergency.
PROJECT BENEFITS
In addition to the fire alarm system, the project
will investigate fire protection/suppression of
the lower-level data center and main level
phone room.
QUICK FACTS
Location: City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
31 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Los Baños Building
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Los Baños is an important recreational facility and
is the City’s only year-round swimming pool. The
facility is located near the beach and is susceptible
to water damage and corrosion from both its
location and use. This project will perform feasibility studies, scope structural reconstruction and finish,
and other minor renewals.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will provide critical infrastructure
updates.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Los Baños del Mar, 401 Shoreline Drive
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $1.25 Million
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Ashley Lopez, Project Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5499
E-mail: [email protected]
32 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Municipal Tennis Court Building
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is for the minor renewal
of the Municipal Tennis Court Building. Work
includes upgraded restrooms, lighting upgrades,
windows and door replacements, and roof repairs.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will eliminate deferred maintenance,
protect the building envelope, and provide upgraded
restrooms.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Municipal Tennis and Pickleball Courts,
1414 Park Place
Design Schedule: fall 2022
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $160,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
33 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Fire Station 2
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Fire Station 2 needs a minor renewal to address
maintenance and repair items such as resealing the
parking lot and replacing a failing wood pergola.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The minor renewal project will extend the life of
structural elements by maintaining finishes.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 819 East Cacique Street
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Addressing homelessness.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
34 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Fire Station 3
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Fire Station 3 needs a minor renewal to address
maintenance and repair items such as resealing the
parking lot and replacing the failing concrete
approach slab.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The minor renewal project will extend the life of
structural elements by maintaining finishes.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 415 East Sola Street
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
35 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Fire Station 5
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Fire Station 5 needs a minor renewal to address maintenance and repair items such as remodeling the restroom and shower facilities.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The minor renewal project will extend the life of structural elements by maintaining finishes.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 2505 Modoc Road
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
36 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – Fire Station 6
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Fire Station 6 needs a minor renewal to address
maintenance and repair items such as replacing the
front roll-up doors.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The minor renewal project will extend the life of
structural elements by maintaining finishes and
improving the architectural aesthetic.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 1802 Cliff Drive
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $100,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
Maintaining neighborhood fire stations.
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
37 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – La Mesa Park Restroom
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is for the minor renewal
of the La Mesa Park Restroom. The work to be
completed is a standard internal remodel including
lighting upgrades, windows and door replacements,
and fixture replacements.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will protect the building and provide
upgraded restrooms.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 295 Meigs Road
Design Schedule: TBD
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $145,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
38 PROJECT TITLE:
Minor Renewal – 630 Garden Building
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is to evaluate and
address deferred maintenance and critical
deferred maintenance towards improving the
facility condition index. Work includes, but is
not limited to, roof repairs, interior repairs, and
HVAC work.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The renewal of the 630 Garden Street building
will significantly reduce maintenance costs
while extending the expected useful life of the
building.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 630 Garden Street
Design Schedule: winter 2023
Construction Schedule: fall 2024
Total Project Costs: $300,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
39 PROJECT TITLE:
630 Garden Building Security Upgrades
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is to evaluate
the existing facilities at 630 Garden Street
and identify and correct any unsafe
conditions to maintain protection of
premises. The goal is to maintain public
interface at the counter and conference
room, and to enhance separation of public
space versus employee.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Security upgrades will enable the City
to provide a safe and secure workplace
for staff. The scope of work will be
coordinated with Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) inspections
completed in summer 2023. The project
will study both public and employee entrances and will likely include a new vestibule/lobby area at the front of the building and improved elevator controls.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 630 Garden Street
Design Schedule: winter 2023
Construction Schedule: fall 2024
Total Project Costs: $240,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
40 PROJECT TITLE:
630 Garden Building Fire Protection
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is to upgrade the
existing fire protection system to meet current
code requirements. The scope of this project is
being coordinated with the minor renewal of the
630 Garden Building.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will provide life safety improvements
for the public and employees. In particular, this
project will add an automated fire alarm system
such that staff do not have to "manually
announce" fire drills or evacuations.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 630 Garden Street
Design Schedule: winter 2023
Construction Schedule: fall 2024
Total Project Costs: $200,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
41 PROJECT TITLE:
Police Annex Purchase
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This property would be developed in
conjunction with the existing police station
next door totaling 1.52 acres, ideally for
workforce housing, but all options are being
considered.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Investment in the community to provide
housing that is more affordable.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 222 East. Anapamu Street
Design Schedule: none
Construction Schedule: none
Total Project Costs: $4.3 Million
Funding Source: Measure C,
General Fund
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Brad Hess, Principal Project Manager
Phone: (805) 564-5373
E-mail: [email protected]
42 PROJECT TITLE:
Eastside Library Garage Construction
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This project will design and build a garage
to house the Library’s two custom-built
vans for their Library on the Go program.
PROJECT BENEFITS
These vans provide public Wi-Fi, access
to library materials and resources and host
events for various ages at select stops.
The garage design and construction will
provide a secure place to store these
vehicles as well as needed equipment.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Eastside Library, 1102 East Montecito Street
Design Schedule: Summer 2024
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $950,000
Funding Source: Measure C, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
43 PROJECT TITLE:
Central Library Lower-Level Workspace Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Central Library lower-level workspace serves as
a non-public staff area accommodating multiple
workgroups and functions including Technology
Services, Patron Services, Librarians, Technical
Services, Youth Services, and Outreach. It is the area
where all materials and supplies are received and
processed and the planning space for Library services
and programs. There have been no significant
updates since 1980 and upgrades are needed to
improve workflow efficiencies.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Library operations have changed drastically over the
last 35 years and the new design to the workspace
includes ergonomic workstations, increased storage,
improved lighting, and Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) accessibility. The space allows for increased
collaboration when needed and incorporates workflow
efficiencies that lead to improved productivity and
customer service.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street
Design Schedule: completed 2019
Construction Schedule: summer 2022 – fall 2023
Total Project Costs: $3.4 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, General Fund Capital
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
44 PROJECT TITLE:
Central Library Plaza Improvement Project
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The current design of the Central Library Plaza
is a challenge to maintain and the various walls,
hedges, and ground levels have given rise to
numerous security issues. Deferred maintenance
of crumbling walls and lifting concrete pathways
pose significant risks and the lack of Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) access is a safety
concern.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The construction of a newly redesigned Central
Library Plaza will allow the City to make the
Library Plaza a prominent public space that is a
safe and attractive gathering space for residents
of Santa Barbara. Beyond improved aesthetics,
there will be opportunities for public events,
reduced maintenance costs, and reduced use of
water resources. Sustainability elements will be
incorporated as well as improved ADA access on
the entire grounds.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street
Design Schedule: 2021
Construction Schedule: summer 2022 – winter 2024
Total Project Costs: $5.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2021-2022), donations
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
45 PROJECT TITLE:
Central Library Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Elevator WHY THIS PROJECT?
The existing elevator is not compliant with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requirements. The new elevator will comply
with all regulations and allow for full access to
all three floors. The elevator will feature a
glass enclosure and will display locally
sourced artwork.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The elevator will be located within the central
part of the library. This will allow for improved
circulation throughout the building and
convenient access to all designated spaces.
Half of the existing staircase will be removed
to make room for the new elevator. A highlight
of the new elevator is a glass enclosure to complement the existing atrium. The current handrails will also be replaced with glass elements to match the new elevator and existing staircase to the Children’s Library.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street
Design Schedule: fall 2021
Construction Schedule: summer 2022 – winter 2024
Total Project Costs: $2.5 Million
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5348
E-mail: [email protected]
46 PROJECT TITLE:
Central Library Upper-Level Needs Assessment
WHY THIS PROJECT?
There has been a shift in the way teens and
adults are using library spaces with the role
of the Library expanding beyond traditional book
lending. An assessment of the upper-level space
is needed to address new and innovative
pathways of learning and reinvent spaces and
services to foster community engagement.
PROJECT BENEFITS
A needs assessment would lead to a communitycentered space that is designed to address the needs of library users such as mobile shelving that allow for a flexible programming space, conference and group study spaces that support both collaborative and traditional individual research, creation spaces, and a dedicated teen space. Potential rental spaces such as a kitchen and various sized meeting rooms would also be identified.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street
Design Schedule: fall 2023
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $150,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Kristina Hernandez, Library Services Manager Phone: (805) 564-5601
E-mail: [email protected]
47 PROJECT TITLE:
Louise Lowry Davis Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Louise Lowry Davis Center is a designated historic
building and is long overdue for renovation. This is a
planned, two-phase renovation. Phase I contains exterior improvements, which includes creating a new front
entrance. Phase II is an interior renovation. Each phase updates its respective area to meet current accessibility standards.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project includes new site plumbing and LED lighting.
Low water use landscape and new shade structures
combined with a reimagined and regraded south terrace to join the interior more closely with the exterior. Impermeable areas have been replaced with permeable pavers to allow onsite storm water filtration.
QUICK FACTS
Locations: Louise Lowry Davis Center, Spencer Adams
Park,1232 De la Vina Street
Design Schedule: completed winter 2021
Construction Schedule: Phase 1 completed fall
2021,Phase II completion in spring 2023
Total Project Cost: $1.73 Million
Funding Sources: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
48 PROJECT TITLE:
Cabrillo Pavilion Renovation – Loan Repayment
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Complete renovation of the mechanical,
electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and
communication systems, and structural,
seismic, and accessibility upgrades.
Exterior building improvements include
restoration of the promenade and façade,
and renovations to the site landscaping,
outdoor showers, and covered walkway,
also knownas a “stoa,” which is adjacent
to the playground.
PROJECT BENEFITS
These improvements enabled the City to
increase and enhance recreational
programming for adults and youth, achieve
a modern social event center, and support beach activities. The facility is more usable, accessible, comfortable, safer, and serves as a year-round community hub. This project is now complete and loan repayment is in process.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 1118 East Cabrillo Boulevard between Niños Drive and Corona Del Mar Drive Design Schedule: completed
Construction Schedule: completed winter 2021
Total Project Costs: $20.0 Million
Funding Source: Measure C, multiple sources with most of the funding from Redevelopment Agency Bond proceeds
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Parks and Recreation Director: Jill Zachary
Phone: (805) 564-5431
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5384
E-mail: [email protected]
49 PROJECT TITLE:
Ortega Park Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
A City park since 1930, Ortega Park suffers from
numerous deficiencies including an outdated pool facility, limited sports turf, lack of field and park lighting, outdated playground, undersized restroom, lack of picnic and family gathering areas, and poor pedestrian circulation. Existing park amenities date from the early 1950s. Park misuse
and safety concerns limit the community’s access to and use of the park.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Developed through a community-driven planning process,
the project will complete a full-scale rehabilitation of the
5.46-acre park. The project will provide a multi-sport
synthetic turf field, a new year-round pool with children’s slide and splash play features, new restroom facilities, a new playground and family picnic area, and a multi-generational activity zone with a skate park, basketball court, and other amenities. The project includes site lighting, landscaping, and the relocation and recreation of the murals painted on structures in the park. The project provides site access and circulation improvements with pedestrian pathways, accessible entries, and expanded street parking. The project will improve access and use of the park and include safety improvements.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Ortega Park, 604 East Ortega Street
Design Schedule: 2019-2022
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $14.0 Million (preliminary construction estimate) Funding Source: Measure C, multiple sources including State and Federal grants Project Website: SantaBarbaraCA.gov/OrtegaPark
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
Addressing homelessness.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jill Zachary, Parks and Recreation Director Phone: (805) 564-5431
E-mail: [email protected]
50 PROJECT TITLE:
Dwight Murphy Field Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Acquired in 1925, Dwight Murphy Field has
served as Santa Barbara’s only regulation-size
soccer facility for 95 years. Despite its
importance as a sports facility, the park has not
received any significant upgrades in over 50
years. The project will address outdated and
poorly performing facilities in need of significant
reinvestment. This will increase play
opportunities for youth and families, and
address accessibility and park safety.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Developed through a community master planning process, the project will complete a full-scale rehabilitation of existing park amenities, including the multi-sport field, youth baseball field, fitness area, playground, restrooms, parking, field, and site lighting, landscaping, and access into and through the park.
The project will also provide street right-of-way improvements on Niños Drive and Por La Mar Drive and will include improved circulation and parking. Conversion of the natural turf to a synthetic field will allow for year-round use and installation of an inclusive playground that will address an unmet need by providing access to play for youth of all abilities, the enlarged outdoor fitness area, youth baseball field, improved parking, and new restroom. These amenities will ensure the park serves a broad cross-section of the community. Improved access, circulation, and lighting will improve park safety.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Dwight Murphy Field (acquired in 1925), 501 Niños Drive Design Schedule: 2019-2022
Construction Schedule: TBD
Total Project Costs: $22.0 Million (preliminary estimate) Funding Source: Measure C, multiple sources including the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation – $6.0 Million, Federal Community Priority Funding – $1.5 Million, and State grants.
Project Website: SantaBarbaraCA.gov/DwightMurphyField
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
Addressing homelessness.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Jill Zachary, Parks and Recreation Director Phone: (805) 564-5431
E-mail: [email protected]
51 PROJECT TITLE:
Urban Forest Management Plan Implementation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The City has more than 27,000 street trees within
street rights-of-way. Most of the City’s streets in
need of infrastructure maintenance also require tree
maintenance. This includes root pruning, canopy
reduction, removal, and replanting. A lack of
funding has resulted in deferred maintenance,
safety concerns, and increased risk throughout the
City, including commercial corridors. Over time,
through dedicated annual funding, the City will be
able to better manage and enhance the urban
forest along with the installation and maintenance
of street right-of-way infrastructure.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Significant tree maintenance was performed on the City’s street and park trees. Trees addressed either suffered from deferred maintenance and/or higher maintenance needs. Work
performed significantly reduced associated liability with limb and/or tree failure throughout the City.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Citywide
Design Schedule: fall 2020
Construction Schedule: fall 2021 – spring 2022
Total Project Costs: $250,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Nathan Slack, Urban Forest Superintendent Phone: (805) 564-5592
E-mail: [email protected]
52 PROJECT TITLE:
Plaza Vera Cruz Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The purpose of this project is to renovate Plaza
Vera Cruz to enhance use of the park through
additional recreation opportunities, and to reduce
incidents of park misuse and vandalism. Due to
its location downtown and area of increasing
residential density, the park provides an
opportunity to develop enhanced recreational
areas for drop-in and programmed use.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Preliminary park renovations include perimeter
fencing, turf play areas, and other park
enhancements.
QUICK FACTS
Location: 110 East Cota Street
Design Schedule: Security improvements and monumental gateway completed 2023 Construction Schedule: fall 2023
Total Project Cost: $470,899
Funding Sources: Measure C, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Parks and Recreation Director: Jill Zachary
Phone: (805) 564-5431
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Manager: Jesse Wheeler, Supervising Engineer
Phone: (805) 564-5384
E-mail: [email protected]
53 PROJECT TITLE:
Playground Replacement Program
WHY THIS PROJECT?
There are 22 children’s playgrounds located in
City parks. To meet safety standards and to
replace aging and dysfunctional equipment, the
City strives to replace playgrounds every 10-12
years. This project will support the replacement
of the playground equipment at the Westside
Community Center and the Eastside
Neighborhood Park. Both locations are within
high density and lower income neighborhoods.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The project will replace aging and deficient
playground equipment for children, and ensure
equipment is in conformance with the latest
safety and accessibility standards and child
development practices.
QUICK FACTS
Locations: Westside Community Center,
423 West Victoria Street; Eastside
Neighborhood Park at Soledad Street and
Yanonali Street
Design Schedule: summer – fall 2021
Construction Schedule: Westside playground installation completed spring 2022; Eastside playground completion in fall 2023 with other park improvements.
Total Project Cost: $265,000
Funding Sources: Measure C (FY2021) – $115,000, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) (FY2021) – $150,000
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Justin Van Mullem, Capital Projects Supervisor Phone: (805) 897-1972
E-mail: [email protected]
54 PROJECT TITLE:
Plaza del Mar Band Shell Renovation
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Plaza del Mar is one of the City’s oldest parks,
located near the corner of Cabrillo Boulevard and
Castillo Street across the street from Los Baños
Pool. A designated City Landmark, the Plaza del Mar
Band Shell (Band Shell) is a wood frame stucco
structure constructed in 1919.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Renovation of the Band Shell will revitalize and
enhance public access to Plaza del Mar for music,
theatre, dance, cultural, and community celebrations
for Santa Barbara residents of all ages.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Castillo Street and Shoreline Drive
Design Schedule: fall 2021 – spring 2022
Construction Schedule: spring 2023
Total Project Cost: $1.3 Million
Funding Sources: Measure C (FY2021) – $175,000, General Fund (FY 2021) – $100,000, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds (FY2022) – $800,000, State grants and private nonprofit foundations – $233,452
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Justin Van Mullem, Capital Projects Supervisor Phone: (805) 897-1972
E-mail: [email protected]
55 PROJECT TITLE:
State Street Promenade Redesign
WHY THIS PROJECT?
To revitalize the Downtown Business District and provide an inviting environment for pedestrians, shoppers, and
customers.
PROJECT BENEFITS
This project will provide a more vibrant and inviting State Street Business District, facilitating sustainable economic growth.
QUICK FACTS
Location: State Street Master Plan Area – Highway 101
to Sola Street, Chapala Street to Anacapa Street.
Design Schedule: ongoing over next 5 years
Construction Schedule: N/A (design only)
Total Project Costs: $500,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Brian Bosse, Public Works Manager
Phone: (805) 564-5390
E-mail: [email protected]
56 PROJECT TITLE:
De la Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project
WHY THIS PROJECT?
De la Guerra Plaza was
designated a Public Square in
1853 and has since served as
Santa Barbara’s center of
town. In addition to serving as
a civic center, it has provided
the location for the original
Police and Fire Stations. It is
the venue for political activism
and events including Old
Spanish Days. De la Guerra
Plaza presents an opportunity
for the City to revitalize and reactivate its center of town.
PROJECT BENEFITS
A revitalized Plaza will involve expanding the available space by making structural and aesthetic improvements to better serve the community’s arts and cultural events throughout the year. As a pedestrian only space, it will facilitate events, activities, civic discourse, and provide flexibility for the future. This space will be made beautiful again while highlighting the historic elements of Santa Barbara's public square.
QUICK FACTS
Location: De la Guerra Plaza
Design Schedule: approximately 2024
Construction Schedule: 6 to 9 months beginning in 2024 or 2025 Total Project Costs: TBD – Could be as high as $9.0 Million Funding Source: Measure C, Bond Measure, donations through the Santa Barbara Foundation, possible grants
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Upgrading public safety infrastructure.
Addressing homelessness.
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Brad Hess, Principal Project Manager
Phone: 805-564-5373
E-mail: [email protected]
57 PROJECT TITLE:
Business Corridor Improvements
WHY THIS PROJECT?
This project will provide ongoing maintenance
and improvements to the downtown business
corridor and other commercial district
infrastructure to support safe, clean, and
vibrant business districts.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Supporting business corridor improvements
provides a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant
business district. These funds have been
used to support the ongoing closure of State
Street, including purchase and installation of
bollards, planters, seating, and signage.
Other benefits include tree plantings,
landscape enhancement, replacement of
electric pedestals, sidewalk repairs, repairs to
drinking fountains, curb painting, and accessibility improvements.
QUICK FACTS
Location: Business Corridors (e.g., State Street, Milpas Street, Coast Village Road) Design Schedule: ongoing
Construction Schedule: ongoing
Total Project Costs: $500,000
Funding Source: Measure C
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Helping retain local businesses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Sarah Clark, Downtown Plaza Parking Manager Phone: (805) 564-5656
E-mail: [email protected]
58 PROJECT TITLE:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan
WHY THIS PROJECT?
Public Works Facilities has an ongoing mission to support the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. This is an ongoing effort to remove barriers to
accessibility and to conform with the latest accessibility requirements and the Federal 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design. Barrier removal is prioritized based on the City’s approved ADA Transition Plan.
PROJECT BENEFITS
For FY2024, the Facilities Division is planning to remove barriers and remedy obstacles to accessibility at City Hall.
This includes exterior improvements and pathways to
public areas from the first and second story. City Hall is considered the highest priority in the City’s ADA Transition Plan. Last Fiscal Year, funds were predominantly used for the design of City Hall restrooms on the second story and to remodel the MacKenzie Park restrooms for accessibility.
QUICK FACTS
Location: City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street; various other
City locations
Design Schedule: fall 2022
Construction Schedule: winter 2022
Total Project Costs: $250,000
Funding Source: Measure C (FY2023)
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED PRIORITIES MET:
Protecting parks, youth, and senior services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Manager: Adam Hendel, Acting Facilities & Fleet Manager Phone: (805) 564-5568
E-mail: [email protected]
59 SCHEDULE OF SOURCES AND USES
MEASURE C
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024
SOURCES Adopted Budget
Fiscal Year 2024 Measure C Revenue $31,900,000
Use of Prior Year of Measure C Fund Balance 14,937,855
TOTAL SOURCES $46,837,855
USES Police
Police Station Capital Project $2,000,000
Police Equipment Replacement 450,000
Subtotal – Police $2,450,000
Fire
Emergency Response Equipment Replacement $370,000
Emergency Vehicle Electric Infrastructure 196,400
Subtotal – Fire $566,400
Streets
Pavement Improvements $19,600,000
Lower State Street Connectivity Project 2,500,000
Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs & Access Ramps 1,900,000
De la Guerra Street Bridge Replacement 1,000,000
Cliff Drive Urban Highway 900,000
Drainage Assessment & Improvements, Sewer Lateral Repairs 700,000 Traffic Signal Upgrades & Maintenance 620,000
Milpas Crosswalk Safety & Sidewalks 500,000
Street Lighting Improvements 300,000
Pedestrian Enhancements: Sidewalk Infills 100,000
Westside Active Transportation Plan 75,000
Subtotal – Streets and Related Infrastructure $28,195,000 Facilities
Minor Facilities Renewal Projects $1,050,000
Subtotal – Facilities $1,050,000
Library
Eastside Library Garage Construction $500,000
Central Library Faulker Gallery Improvements 360,000
Central Library Historic Doors & Tympanum Restoration 250,000 Library Technology Replacement 187,450
Central Library ADA Elevator 160,000
Subtotal – Library $1,457,450
60 Parks & Recreation
Dwight Murphy Field Renovation $6,000,000
Cabrillo Pavilion Renovation – Loan Repayment 747,371
Municipal Tennis Center Renovation 500,000
Franceschi Park Renovation 500,000
Parks & Recreation Equipment Replacement 337,000
West Beach Splash Playground 250,000
Alameda Plaza Renovation 300,000
Urban Forest Management Plan, Median & Parkway Landscaping 250,000 Park Infrastructure Safety Program 100,000
Trails & Walkways 100,000
Playground Replacement 75,000
Subtotal – Parks & Recreation $9,159,371
Public Works
State Street Promenade Redesign $500,000
Business Corridor Improvements 500,000
Subtotal – Public Works $1,000,000
Community Development
Homeless Response $500,000
Subtotal – Community Development $500,000
TOTAL USES $44,378,221
61 MEASURE C FISCAL YEAR 2024 PROJECTS
POLICE
Santa Barbara Police Department Station – The replacement of the Police Department Station. The current structure does not meet essential building standards and significant seismic issues must be addressed. Starting in FY2023 is for planned debt issuance.
Police Equipment Replacement – To allow the City to forecast operational equipment needs for the Police Department, reducing the annual augmentation requests for equipment replacement.
FIRE
Emergency Response Equipment Replacement – To allow the City to forecast operational equipment needs for the Fire Department, reducing the annual augmentation requests for equipment replacement.
Emergency Vehicle Electronic Infrastructure Upgrades – Upgrade/replace communication equipment in apparatus to prepare for regional fire dispatch.
STREETS
Pavement Maintenance and Improvement Program – Annual pavement maintenance includes the sealing of cracks, slurry seal, asphalt overlay, reconstruction, or other methods as appropriate to maintain an acceptable driving surface.
Lower State Street Connectivity Project – To widen the sidewalks along State Street from Gutierrez Street to Yanonali Street, installing lighting to illuminate the pedestrian walkway, installing buffered bike lanes, and adjusting travel lanes to improve safety along this collision-prone corridor.
Pedestrian Enhancement: Sidewalk Replacement, Repairs, and Access Ramps – To annually improve small sidewalk infill projects, replace or repair sidewalks, and access ramp construction projects in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and per City standard details.
De la Guerra Street Bridge Replacement Project – To remove and replace the structurally deficient 100-year-old bridge with a new bridge that meets current seismic, safety, and design standards, and includes realigning roadway approaches, abating hazardous building materials, relocating utilities including domestic water and sanitary sewer facilities, constructing channel walls, planting landscape materials, creek and habitat restoration, and adding storm water treatment facilities.
Cliff Drive: Urban Highway to Complete Street Transformation Project – To connect three adjacent elementary schools, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), parks, and neighborhood-serving retail.
Drainage Assessment and Improvements – To provide a priority for system upgrades and maintenance, and annual program to maintain, improve, and construct citywide public drainage facilities.
Westmont Storm Drain – To regrade the streambed, reorient the inlet to align with the channel flow, install a new headwall, and install a new debris rack at the entrance to the inlet.
Annual Sewer Lateral Repair – To replace broken sewer laterals, keeping them in operational order to both serve onsite Building waste uses and protect the environment.
62 Traffic Signal Improvements, Upgrades, and Maintenance – To replace aging traffic signal infrastructure to ensure longterm reliability. Most work will involve the replacement of underground conduit and wiring.
Traffic Management System – To maintain synchronization of traffic signals and ability to adjust traffic signal timing to meet traffic demands, and improved reliability of traffic signal equipment.
Milpas Street Crosswalk Safety and Sidewalk Widening Project – To implement safety enhancements that are intersection focused between Quinientos Street and Canon Perdido Street, including new curb extensions, high visibility crosswalks, additional lighting, accessibility improvements, widened sidewalks at street corners and transit stops, and improved bicycle safety and parking.
Street Lighting Improvements – To provide for the retrofit of existing streetlighting systems with high efficiency LED systems, and funds major repairs to streetlighting infrastructure damage due to vehicle collisions.
Westside Active Transportation Plan – To facilitate and improve multiuse pathways and alternative transportation options.
FACILITIES
Facilities Renewal – To update, maintain, or replace building security systems, HVAC, flooring & painting, and miscellaneous minor projects.
LIBRARY
Eastside Garage Construction – To design and build a garage to house the Library’s two custom built vans for their Library on the Go program and necessary equipment in a secure place. The vans provide public Wi-Fi, access to library materials and resources, and host events for various ages at select stops.
Central Library Exterior Faulkner Doors – To restore the Faulkner Gallery doors that will complement the newly redesigned Library Plaza.
Central Library Faulkner Gallery AV Equipment Update – To upgrade the audio/visual equipment in the Faulkner Gallery, improving library programs for all ages and allowing the Library to meet the streaming needs of groups who wish to stream/televise their meeting or event, such as public City advisory group meetings. Improved A/V quality would also increase room rental requests.
Central Library Faulkner Gallery Kitchen – To convert poorly utilized storage space already located in the Faulkner Gallery to a fully functioning kitchen, creating a new learning space for expanded library programs and classes in addition to a rentable space to complement event needs in the Gallery and the future Library Plaza.
Central Library Historic Doors and Tympanum – To restore the historic doors and tympanum and complement the newly renovated Library Plaza, serving as a prominent backdrop in a new outdoor programming space for both Library and public events.
Library Technology Replacement – To allow the Library to efficiently plan and prioritize technology replacement for operational needs and user demands, while also limiting downtime due to equipment failure.
Central Library Service Elevator Replacement – To upgrade the existing elevator to become a service elevator that will allow staff to safely transport library materials on carts between floors without disrupting public use of the new ADA elevator.
63 PARKS AND RECREATION
Dwight Murphy Field Renovation – To complete the full-scale rehabilitation of existing park amenities, including the multi-sport field, youth baseball field, fitness area, playground, restrooms, parking, field, and site lighting, landscaping, and access into and through the park. The project will also provide street, right-of-way improvements on Niños Drive and Por La Mar Drive and will include improved circulation and parking.
Payback to Fleet Replacement Fund for Cabrillo Pavilion – Part of the Cabrillo Pavilion Renovation project was financed via a loan from Fleet Services. This is to pay back that loan.
Municipal Tennis Center Renovation – To address deferred maintenance, protect the building envelope (exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows, and doors), and provide upgraded restrooms.
Franceschi Park Renovation – To update the Franceschi Master Plan, develop an interpretive open-air pavilion within the footprint of Franceschi House, and complete driveway and pedestrian access and landscape improvements.
Parks and Recreation Equipment Replacement – To purchase much needed equipment to enhance maintenance of City parks and recreation facilities.
West Beach Splash Playground – To remove and replace the existing wading pool with a new wading pool that meets accessibility standards and addresses failing infrastructure.
Alameda Plaza Renovation – To implement much needed comprehensive park infrastructure improvements, including accessible walkways and park entrances, new lighting, new signage, and renovated picnic areas.
Urban Forest Management Plan Implementation – To plant and maintain trees within the City's street parkways.
Median and Parkway Landscape Renovation – To undertake a comprehensive landscape renovation of medians and parkways managed by the City, as many of the landscapes are worn out due to old plant material, poor landscape design, poor or lacking irrigation, minimal landscape maintenance, and drought conditions.
Park Infrastructure Safety Program – To implement a comprehensive park infrastructure safety program to increase and enhance park safety and improve visitor services. Many of these amenities suffer from constant use and weathering.
Tables, benches, trash cans, and BBQs need regular replacement.
Trails and Walkways – Enhanced trail management within existing City parks and open space areas.
Playground Replacement – To replace aging and deficient playground equipment for children, ensuring compliance with the latest safety and accessibility standards and child development practices.
PUBLIC WORKS
State Street Promenade Redesign – This project will provide a more vibrant and inviting State Street Business District, facilitating sustainable economic growth.
Business Corridor Improvements – To provide ongoing maintenance of the business corridors to support a clean and vibrant downtown business district. Project includes sidewalk paver maintenance, curb painting, sign maintenance, graffiti abatement, street lighting maintenance, and maintenance of improvements located in the public right-of-way.
HOUSING
Homeless Response – To pilot a physical site that would provide a variety of supportive services five days a week for the unhoused.
1 RESOLUTION 23-
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES FOR
THE EXPENDITURE OF REVENUE FROM THE SANTA
BARBARA CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND
ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES MEASURE, AND
RESCINDING RESOLUTION 18-011.
WHEREAS, as authorized by Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9, on June 27, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 17-054 approving and calling for the submission of a proposition measure at the General Municipal Election for the enactment of a City ordinance imposing a one percent transactions and use tax; WHEREAS, as directed by Resolution 17-054, the Santa Barbara Critical Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure ("Measure") was placed on the November 7, 2017 ballot and a majority of the qualified voters in the City voting in the election approved the Measure and enacted the Ordinance which will take effect April 1, 2018; WHEREAS, the revenue from the tax Measure may be used for any lawful purpose of the City, as authorized by ordinance, resolution, or action of the City Council or by ordinance adopted by the electorate of the City but may not be directed into a special fund or for a special purpose;
WHEREAS, the Ordinance enacting the Measure provides as follows:
The City provides vital municipal services and facilities, such as police, fire, parks and recreation, streets, bridges, libraries, youth and senior programs, and other general fund services.
A. The City's existing revenues are insufficient to fully provide municipal services and facilities at the level that is necessary or desirable;
B. The funding made available by this Ordinance will enable the City to restore and improve its general municipal services and facilities; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that the funds are used for the general fund purposes contemplated in the Measure, the Council adopted Resolution 18-011 on February 6, 2018, establishing the priorities listed below for the allocation and expenditure of funds generated under the Measure.
SECTION 1. The Council determined that funds generated from the Measure shall be generally allocated according to the following priorities:
1. Police, Fire, and 911 emergency medical response;
2 2. Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges, and storm drains;
3. Maintaining neighborhood fire stations and upgrading public safety infrastructure;
4. Protecting parks, youth, and senior services;
5. Addressing homelessness;
6. Helping retain local businesses; and
7. Supporting other general services.
SECTION 2. The Council further determined that for the first five fiscal years, the priorities for expenditure of funds shall be as follows:
1. Planning, permitting, and bonding for a new police station facility;
2. Repairing local streets throughout the City, including related street infrastructure;
3. Replacing Fire Station No. 7;
4. Community projects to support the City's parks and library;
5. Business district infrastructure projects; and
6. Maintenance of City buildings.
SECTION 3. Funding shall be appropriated to specific projects with the City's annual operating and capital budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA THAT:
SECTION 1. The Council hereby determines that for the next five fiscal years, the priorities for expenditure of funds shall be as follows:
1. Construction and debt service payments for a new police station facility;
2. Repairing local streets throughout the City, including related street infrastructure, improving toward a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) goal of 75+ in the next 10-12 years;
3. Address drainage infrastructure by completing a full assessment of the City's drainage infrastructure;
4. Community projects to support the City's parks and library;
5. Business district infrastructure projects, with a focus on the State Street Promenade;
6. Maintenance of City Buildings; and
7. Address homelessness by prioritizing housing and facilities.
SECTION 2: Expenditure of funds shall be considered for one-time, non-recurring costs, such as capital improvements.
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DATE: December 12, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Planning Division, Community Development Department SUBJECT: Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element [Resolution] RECOMMENDATION:
That Council adopt, by reading of title only, a Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara Adopting the 2023–2031 Housing Element with Proposed Revisions as an Amendment to the General Plan and Determining That the Housing Element Amendment Is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Housing Element is a State-mandated component of the City’s General Plan and must be updated every eight years according to a schedule established in State law. All jurisdictions in Santa Barbara County are required to update their Housing Elements for the 2023–2031 planning period, commonly known as the “6th cycle” in reference to the six Housing Element updates required since the State’s comprehensive revision of Housing Element law in 1980. The purpose of this hearing is to review the proposed 2023–2031 Housing Element, which incorporates changes to address comments from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Planning Commission, and the public; and to conduct a public hearing to receive public comments and consider approval of a General Plan amendment for adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element.
The City has released three drafts of the 2023–2031 Housing Element since 2002, all of which received extensive public review. Comments from HCD, the public, the Planning Commission, and staff resulted in significant changes throughout the process. On November 16, 2023, the City received a letter from HCD confirming that the Housing Element will substantially comply with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when it is adopted, submitted to, and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585.
Agenda Item No. 30
File Code No. 650.06
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
Staff reviewed the changes recommended by the Planning Commission in their motion of November 16, 2023, and incorporated changes that were appropriate and would not conflict with State Housing Element law. These are presented as proposed revisions to the 2023–2031 Housing Element. Changes that were not incorporated are detailed later in this Council Agenda Report.
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Housing Element update process started in 2020 with the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which refers to the multistep process that California uses to plan for housing needs in each region of the state. In 2021, HCD approved Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG’s) Final 6th Cycle 2023–2031 RHNA Plan, which establishes a total RHNA for Santa Barbara County of 24,856 residential units. SBCAG’s Plan distributes this RHNA across the county and cities based on demographic and population data received from the California Department of Finance (DOF). The City’s RHNA is 8,001 units, organized into four affordability categories according to Area Median Income (AMI1) as shown in Table 1. The City is responsible for demonstrating it can accommodate its share of the RHNA, either with existing zoning or by rezoning areas of the city. Through the Housing Element’s Suitable Sites Inventory (Appendix G), City staff determined that the existing zoning capacity is sufficient to accommodate RHNA without rezoning areas.
Table 1: RHNA Affordability Categories
Very Low
(0–50% AMI)
Low
(50–80% AMI)
Moderate
(80–120% AMI)
Above
Moderate
(120+% AMI)
Total
2,147 1,381 1,441 3,032 8,001
RHNA Buffer
New “no net loss” provisions of Government Code § 65863 require the City to ensure an adequate supply of land be made available for housing development throughout the duration of the 2023–2031 planning period. This means if housing sites identified within the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element are developed with nonresidential uses, lower residential densities, or residential uses at affordability levels higher than anticipated by the Housing Element during the planning period, the City’s Housing Element could be determined to be out of compliance if adequate capacity is not provided. Accordingly, the City’s Suitable Sites Inventory includes a 14 percent buffer for additional units to ensure compliance with “no net loss” provisions during the 6th cycle planning period.
Housing Element Review Process
1 Santa Barbara County 2023 AMI is $107,300 for a four-person household.
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
One important difference between the Housing Element and other elements of the General Plan is the extent of oversight by HCD. Under California law, the Housing Element is the most regulated element of the General Plan. The State Legislature has also declared that an adequate supply of housing is a matter of statewide importance and delegated authority to HCD to review draft and adopted Housing Elements and issue responses regarding compliance with State law. A finding of Housing Element compliance by HCD is referred to as “certification” of the Housing Element. Certification is important to enhance the City’s eligibility for certain grant funds and to support local land use authority.
HCD’s review is required both prior to and after final adoption by City Council. The City must respond to HCD’s comments on the draft Housing Element and adopt findings describing how the Housing Element addresses those comments. After adoption of the Housing Element, HCD has 60 days to issue a letter with its findings regarding whether the adopted Housing Element fully addresses their comments and applicable State laws.
The General Plan Amendment to update the Housing Element was initiated in March 2022. In May 2022, City Council adopted new goals for the 2023–2031 Housing Element.
After extensive public outreach and input from the Planning Commission and City Council, the City submitted the first draft to HCD in August 2022. In November 2022, HCD submitted a review letter stating that the draft element addresses many statutory requirements but needed revisions for compliance with State law.
In response to HCD’s and public comments, the Revised Draft 2023–2031 Housing Element was released in April 2023 for public review, followed by submittal to HCD. In June 2023, the Planning Commission held a hearing to receive public comment and provide feedback to staff. In June 2023, HCD submitted a second review letter noting that the Revised Draft addressed many statutory requirements but still needed revisions for compliance with State law. HCD’s letter was followed by an offer to meet with a Senior Program Manager of HCD on a regular basis to discuss and submit interim drafts of revisions needed to find the Housing Element in substantial compliance.
After coordinating with and receiving substantial feedback and conditional approval from HCD, the proposed adoption draft was released in October 2023 for public review, followed by submittal to HCD. On November 13, 2023, staff submitted proposed editorial changes to the adoption draft to HCD that adjusted the time frames of certain programs to present a more balanced workload and allow for estimated project timelines to be met realistically. On November 16, 2023, the Planning Commission convened a hearing to consider a recommendation of adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element and voted 7/0 to recommend adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element with specific recommendations, detailed below (Attachment 1 Draft PC Hearing Minutes). Also on November 16, 2023, HCD issued a letter (Attachment 2) stating that the Adoption Draft meets the statutory requirements and that the housing element will substantially comply with Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when it is adopted, submitted to, Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585. Further, HCD reviewed the pending revisions to the time frames submitted to them on November 13, 2023, as pending amendments and stated the time frame amendments do not impact the finding of meeting statutory requirements.
Public Outreach
California law requires local governments to engage the public in developing the Housing Element. State law does not specify the means and methods for participation; however, it is generally recognized that participation must be inclusive. Throughout the preparation of the 2023–2031 Housing Element, the City conducted the following outreach efforts to engage all segments of the community.
Virtual Meetings, Online Outreach, and In-Person Events Having learned from experience in public outreach during COVID-19, the City adapted public outreach to be a variety of virtual meetings, online outreach, live streaming video, and in-person events. To achieve the greatest level of participation, the City:
Ensured noticing of meetings and the website were bilingual and used guidelines from the California Web Accessibility standards for ADA compliance. Built an interested-parties list by advertising on City newsletters and social media and leveraging partnerships with housing advocates, neighborhood groups, and professional organizations, reaching over 38,000 residents. Educated and partnered with community groups on the importance of the Housing Element, including virtual and in-person meetings with over 40 nonprofit organizations.
Developed a project website including educational videos in English and Spanish, project progress, public outreach events, staff reports, draft documents, a live suitable-sites GIS map, and other relevant links (https://santabarbaraca.gov/heu). Collaborated with the cities of Goleta and Carpinteria, and the County of Santa Barbara on an in-person and live-streamed public workshop to review local housing element updates and regional housing issues.
Each draft of the Housing Element was released for public review in compliance with State law timelines. Staff reviewed public comments, incorporated changes, and posted responses to public comments.
Adoption Draft 2023–2031 Housing Element
The Adoption Draft reflects comments provided by HCD, the public, and the Planning Commission. Below is a brief summary of the main chapters of the 2023–2031 Housing Element.
Introduction
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
This section includes the purpose of the Housing Element, a description of how the Housing Element relates to other elements of the General Plan, and the community context.
Housing Needs Summary/Community Profile
This section describes recent population trends and characteristics, employment trends, household characteristics, condition of the existing housing stock, assessment of deedrestricted affordable units at risk of converting to market rate, and an evaluation of special housing needs. Per HCD, “special housing needs” includes:
Seniors
People with disabilities, including developmental disabilities Large families and female-headed households
People experiencing homelessness and
Farmworkers
Consistent with the 2015 Housing Element, this section also evaluates the special housing needs of students.
Housing Constraints
The housing element must identify and analyze potential and actual governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, or development of housing for all income levels, including housing for people with disabilities. The analysis should determine whether local, regulatory standards pose an actual constraint and must also demonstrate local efforts to remove constraints that hinder a jurisdiction from meeting its housing needs. Based on comments from HCD, this section has been extensively amended and identifies several actions, such as cleaning up amendments to Title 30, that are required to fully comply with State housing laws and reduce governmental constraints to housing.
This section also summarizes non-governmental constraints such as land and construction costs, and availability of financing.
Housing Resources
This section includes the suitable sites inventory to meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,001 units and a list of financial and administrative housing resources (e.g., funding sources, programs, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations that are involved in meeting the housing needs of the community). It also includes a discussion of opportunities for energy conservation.
The sites inventory analysis identifies parcels that can accommodate the City’s RHNA based on the methodology and assumptions described in the Housing Element. After accounting for pending projects (applications submitted that have not yet received a building permit up to August 2023) and projected accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the remaining unmet RHNA is 3,073 units for lower-income households and 2,711 units for moderate- and above-moderate households, for a total of 5,784 units. The analysis shows Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
that there are enough sites suitable to accommodate the remaining unmet RHNA listed below, with a buffer of 14 percent.
Table 2: Housing Capacity by Income Level
RHNA Units Very Low
2147
Low
1,381
Moderate
1,441
Above
Moderate
3,032
Total
8,001
Pending
Project Units 79 80 101 1,327 1,587
Accessory
Dwelling
Units
148 148 74 259 629
Suitable
Sites 2,140 1,296 1,587 1,875 6,898
TOTAL
UNITS 2,367 1,524 1,762 3,461 9,114
Buffer 11% 11% 12% 14% 14%
Nonvacant Sites Development
The City has a long history of residential and commercial development and is largely built out. Accordingly, almost all new development occurs on nonvacant sites, including the sites the City has identified to accommodate RHNA. New for this cycle, the Housing Element must describe the realistic development potential of each site within the planning period, including an analysis of the extent to which existing uses might impede additional residential development, the City’s prior experience in approving development on nonvacant sites, market conditions, and availability of regulatory and other incentives to encourage residential development on nonvacant sites. If the City relies on nonvacant sites to accommodate more than 50 percent of RHNA for lower-income households, the Housing Element must include substantial evidence that the use will likely be discontinued during the planning period.
Of the total sites in the inventory, 427 (96 percent) are nonvacant. Staff used several indicators to provide the substantial evidence required by State law. To screen eligible nonvacant sites for financial viability, the improvement to land value (I/L) and improvement to square foot (l/ft2) ratio was used. A low I/L and I/ft2 ratio indicates improvements on the site are worth less than the land, suggesting the land is underutilized and there is a lack of significant improvements in recent years. Furthermore, due to the large number of sites that would require analysis, staff coordinated with HCD to develop a neighborhood/corridor approach that reviews suitable sites by neighborhood groupings and highlights representative sites as provided in Appendix G (described in more detail below).
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
Housing Plan
This section includes the policies and programs that the City will be implementing to advance the housing policies and goals over the next eight years. New for this cycle, HCD now requires programs to include a specific time frame, the agencies or officials responsible for implementation, funding sources, and (whenever possible) specific, measurable outcomes. The Housing Element program time frames take into consideration other Community Development Department non–Housing Element work efforts to present a balanced and realistic workload, ensuring that staff resources will not be overwhelmed and project timelines will not suffer. Programs are intended to provide the framework for implementation of fiscally and technically feasible actions to carry out goals and policies. As such, unless required by State law or requested by HCD, they should not include exhaustive details that commit the City to actions without further research and study.
Appendices
The appendices include the following information:
A. Review of the 2015 Housing Element: Required review of 2015 Housing Element implementation actions, quantified where possible.
B. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH): Under California law, AFFH means “taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics.” This section provides extensive data and policy recommendations that inform AFFH analysis.
C. Public Outreach Table: Summary of public outreach efforts.
D. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Survey: Results of a survey sent to ADU owners to determine use and rent prices, which informed the number and income category of projected ADUs included in the site inventory.
E. Neighborhood Housing Stock Surveys: Neighborhood-specific surveys, which are summarized in the 2023 Housing Element.
F. Residential Development Standards: These were used to inform the Governmental Constraints section.
G. Suitable Sites Inventory: Includes detailed descriptions of representative sites in the inventory by neighborhood groupings as requested by HCD, and a list of all the suitable sites in the inventory. This appendix provides the substantial evidence to support the findings in the resolution that existing uses on sites identified in Appendix G will not impede residential development.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The recommendations directed by the Planning Commission on November 16, 2023, include a list of 21 items (Attachment 1 – Draft Planning Commission Minutes). Staff Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
recommends incorporating 11 of the 21 recommendations as amendments shown (in strike through and underline format) in the track changes version of the 2023-2031 Housing Element provided in the City Clerk’s office and online here:
https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/HEU. The remaining recommendations were not incorporated for the following reasons:
# PC Recommendation Reason not Incorporated
2 Broadly increase density only when
tied to specific income categories.
This will be considered once Program HE12 Prioritize Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing is implemented.
4 Change the time frame for HE1:
adaptive reuse to Q1 2024 to
prepare and adopt the ordinance
and Q1 2025 for outreach materials.
The Program Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) for the Housing Element
implementation needs to be adopted prior
to implementation of HE-1. This program
will begin following the EIR adoption,
planned for Q2 2024.
5 Expand [HE-1] to citywide, but
emphasis on the central business
district.
Expanding the scope of adaptive reuse
will be considered with implementation.
7 Change the date by a year earlier for
HE2: La Cumbre Plaza Planning
Area to begin no later than 2026.
This is not as time sensitive as it was
previously, and the proposed time frame
considers existing leases and staff
workload.
9 Implement the Novak
recommendations for HE 5:
Process Improvements as soon as
possible.
The full list of process improvements is
being implemented under a separate Land
Development Team Oversight
Subcommittee process. This program is
for specific recommendations and will be
implemented in phases, taking into
account already existing work efforts and
staff resources.
11 Change the end date to Q3 2025
for HE10: Multi-Unit Housing
Program time frame. Prioritize
changes that have been in the
queue, such as updating the
community benefit definition to
include only deed-restricted
affordable housing rather than all
rental housing, and creating a clear
definition of workforce housing that
would include AMI.
HE-10 is the framework for multiple
changes under consideration to the
Average Unit Size Density (AUD) Incentive
Program. The complete date was moved
up to Q4 2026. As resources allow and
priorities shift, aspects of the program may
be completed sooner than anticipated.
13 In HE12 [Prioritize Deed-Restricted
Affordable Housing] specify the City
Bonus Density Program focused on
This will be considered upon
implementation.
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
# PC Recommendation Reason not Incorporated
the central business district to allow
developers to go higher than the
base density, increase height, and
make it for moderate income.
14 Change the language in HE12 to
include exploring a local preference
for new housing at all income
levels.
A local tenant preference policy is required
to affirmatively further fair housing and
comply with other state and federal laws.
These will be considered upon
implementation.
17 Change the time frame for HE20:
Evaluate Hotel Zones to update the
trend analysis and amend Zoning
Ordinance by 2025. That could
include removing hotel zones where
mid to high density residential is
allowed.
This time frame was already proposed by
staff to be completed by Q4 2025.
19 In Policy 2.6, eliminate uppermiddle-income from Goal 2 and Policy 2.6.
The upper-middle-income reference in
Goal 2 and Policy 2.6 was not removed
because it provides consistency with
policies for first-time ownership housing
from the 2015 Housing Element and the
existing Inclusionary Ordinance for
ownership housing.
General Plan Amendments
In addition to adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element, staff is requesting a general plan amendment to repeal the prior 2015 Housing Element and the following related appendices from the General Plan Appendix:
• Appendix E 2015 Housing Element Program Evaluation Table (evaluating the progress toward meeting the 2007–2014 Housing Element Goals and Objectives) • Appendix F Zoning Information and Fees
• Appendix G 2015 Housing Element Eight-Year Work Program • Appendix H Available Land Inventory and Map
Appendix A of the General Plan includes City Council resolutions for adoption and amendments to the General Plan. This appendix would be updated to include the resolution for adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element. The remaining General Plan appendices would be renumbered.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action does not have a budget/financial impact on the City.
Council Agenda Report
Adoption of the 2023–2031 Housing Element
December 12, 2023
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff has determined that the project qualifies for an exemption from further environmental review under Section 15061 (b)(3) [General Rule] of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed 2023–2031 Housing Element may have a significant effect on the environment because it does not approve any development project or other physical change to the environment; rather, the proposed 2023–2031 Housing Element is a document that sets forth the City’s policies and programs to meet the City’s regional housing needs allocation. Approval of any subsequent zoning amendment, program, or housing development projects in accordance with the policies set forth in the 2023–2031 Housing Element will require subsequent environmental analysis to ensure compliance with CEQA.
NEXT STEPS:
Following City Council’s approval of the proposed General Plan Amendment, the Housing Element will be submitted to HCD for final approval and certification.
Within five days of City Council’s action to approve the General Plan Amendment, the City’s Environmental Analyst will prepare and file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Planning Commission Hearing Minutes of November 16, 2023
2. Substantial Compliance Letter from HCD dated November 16, 2023 The 2023–2031 Housing Element has been placed in the Mayor and Council Office’s reading file and is available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office, and on the project’s webpage here: https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/HEU.
PREPARED BY: Rosie Dyste, Project Planner
SUBMITTED BY: Elias Isaacson, Community Development Director APPROVED BY: City Administrator’s Office
City of Santa Barbara
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
1:00 P.M.
City Hall, Council Chambers
735 Anacapa Street
SantaBarbaraCA.gov
COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Roxana Bonderson, Chair
John M. Baucke, Vice Chair
Lucille Boss
Donald DeLuccio
Sheila Lodge
Devon Wardlow
Lesley Wiscomb
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON:
Mike Jordan
STAFF:
Tava Ostrenger, Assistant City Attorney
Megan Arciniega, Senior Planner
Mariah Johnson, Commission Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bonderson called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Chair Roxana Bonderson, Vice Chair John M. Baucke, Commissioners Lucille Boss, Donald DeLuccio, Sheila Lodge, Devon Wardlow, and Lesley Wiscomb
Absent: None
STAFF PRESENT
John Doimas, Assistant City Attorney
Elias Isaacson, Community Development Director
Allison DeBusk, City Planner
Dan Gullett, Principal Planner
Megan Arciniega, Senior Planner
Rosie Dyste, Project Planner
Dana Falk, Project Planner
Chris Bell, City TV Production Supervisor
Janet Ahern, City TV Production Specialist
Mariah Johnson, Commission Secretary
II. PRELIMINARY MATTERS
A. Requests for continuances, withdrawals, postponements, or addition of ex-agenda items:
No requests.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 2 of 9 B. Announcements and appeals:
No announcements.
C. Review, consideration, and action on the following draft Planning Commission minutes and resolutions:
1. November 2, 2023 Planning Commission Minutes
2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 012-23
35 Anacapa Street
3. Planning Commission Resolution No. 013-23
Highway 101
MOTION: DeLuccio / Baucke
Approve the minutes and resolutions as presented.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 7 Noes: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0
D. Comments from members of the public pertaining to items not on this agenda:
Public comment opened at 1:06 p.m., and as no one wished to speak, it closed.
III. NEW ITEM
ACTUAL TIME: 1:07 P.M.
2023-2031 ADOPTION DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT
Reference Number: PLN2023-00416
The Planning Commission will review and consider the Adoption Draft of the 2023-2031 Housing Element and forward a recommendation to the City Council for adoption of:
A Resolution of the Council of the City of Santa Barbara adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element as an amendment to the General Plan and determining that the Housing Element amendment is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
Rosie Dyste, Project Planner, gave the Staff presentation. Dan Gullett, Principal Planner, was available to answer questions.
Public comment opened at 1:40 p.m., and the following individuals spoke:
1. Ben Romo
2. Steve Johnson
Written correspondence from Steve Johnson, Mary Turley on behalf of Allied Neighborhood Association, Steve Johnson, Patricia Saley, Vicki Allen & Dianne Black on behalf of the League ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 3 of 9 of Women Voters, Steve Johnson, Linda Honikman, Fred Sweeney, Rob Fredericks, Ann Hefferman, Natalia Govoni, and Ed King was acknowledged.
Public comment closed at 1:50 p.m.
* THE COMMISSION RECESSED FROM 2:50 TO 3:00 P.M. *
Commissioner comments:
Commissioner Boss:
• For adaptive reuse, with the understanding the timeframe may not be able to change because the Environmental Impact Report is not complete, she wants to make sure that they are as close as possible. The outreach materials timelines should be moved up. Consider expanding beyond the Central Business District (CBD).
• Specify nonresidential priority projects with broad community benefit such as museums or health clinics.
• Under affordable housing there should be a large study with multiple components, including ADUs, inclusionary housing, and funds. Include in HE-12 to pursue an increased inclusionary housing rate above the 10-15%.
• Under HE-13, in-lieu fees should be increased dramatically. • In terms of inclusionary housing, specifically HE-12 and HE-13, she would like to see the start move up to Q1 2024 and end 2025. Have amendments starting in 2025 and ending in 2026. That is a priority that Planning Commission (PC) has heard in the AUD progress report and other conversations over the past year.
• The term “deed restricted” should be added to HE-12.
• Under HE-12, specify City bonus density focused or starting in the CBD. Allow developers to go higher than the base density, increase the height, and make it for moderate income. Not just focused on low or very low income, but potentially going up to 160 AMI or if it makes more sense with the RHNA categories up to 120 AMI.
• Under HE-16: Create Affordable Housing Funds, she recommends that reference to specific program names be removed. City Council gave the direction to create a trust via dedicated funding stream for the production or development of needed deed restricted affordable housing. She understands that staff is simultaneously pursuing program funds outside of the trust, but she is concerned that if there are specific program names they could change and contradict City Council’s direction which could be an issue in monitoring. She does understand that the word “trust” will still need to be included to make the City eligible for state funds. There should be a specific time frame included because of the state funding opportunity window.
• She wants to make sure that the City is moving forward with HE-10 multi-unit housing. • Recommendation to pursue removing hotels from zones where mid- to high-density residential is allowed, specifically in the RM-H zone, in evaluation of hotel zones. There is a significant number of hotels in those zones.
Commissioner Wiscomb:
• Appreciates Commissioner Boss’ comments but she thinks some are a little bit too specific. • Agrees with Rod Frederick’s from the Housing Authority public comment when he stated, “This is unquestionably the most detailed and data driven update of this type and the substantial effort to pull this together is to be acknowledged and celebrated.” Thanks to staff.
She thinks this is a great document with an incredible amount of information.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 4 of 9 • She supports sending a recommendation to the City Council for adoption of the draft for the 2023 -2031 Housing Element.
• Suggests that the following specific comments be considered:
o Include themes from slide 36 in the executive summary. o Adaptive reuse (HE-1) should be city wide and not just CBD. o Move the community benefit rental housing amendment under HE10: Muti-Unit Housing Program, to an earlier ordinance package.
o Evaluate in-lieu fees simultaneously with the inclusionary percentage under HE13. She doesn’t think the Commission should be recommending increased percentages. The economics need to be looked at and studied as soon as possible. Suggestion for a new methodology where applicants pay an in-lieu fee as opposed to providing a percentage of housing.
o Under HE12, explore a City-led density bonus program that is exclusive to moderate-income.
o that the term “lower income” needs to be defined.
o Table 50 should be updated to include only programs that are applicable to the City.
o Either remove or update the $675,000 identified in the in-lieu fund, or add a reference date.
• Commissioner Boss recommended removing specific programming under HE16: Create Affordable Housing Funds. She thinks it is flexible enough the way it is worded as “support production, acquisition, or rehabilitation of affordable housing.” She thinks it is important for it to remain as a flexible definition because it doesn’t relate to any specific programs.
Commissioner Wardlow:
• Thanks to staff for addressing all of the Commission’s questions and for their work on the document.
• She is concerned about affordability in the Santa Barbara community. This is a good road map, but she is still concerned given where the City was in the last RHNA cycle. • Agrees with all of Commissioner Boss’ comments. She greatly appreciates her walking through the timing.
• Under HE13: Evaluate Inclusionary Housing Ordinances, the nexus study is important and should be prioritized in Q1 of 2024.
• Suggests increasing the inclusionary requirements. She would like the rate to be at 20%, but she agrees with Commissioner Wiscomb’s comments about deferring to a study of the economics.
• Increasing the in-lieu fees could maximize the City’s efforts in the affordable housing trust fund.
• Under HE13 development fees should be incorporated into nexus study prioritization. It is important that when development projects such as hotels come forward that there is a fee component that will be added into the City’s efforts around affordability through the housing trust fund.
• Under HE 20 she is pleased to see that the reevaluation of the hotel zones is slated for 2024.
She would prefer that to happen in Q1 rather than Q2 of 2024 but will defer to staff. • Agrees with Commissioner Boss’ comments regarding areas that are currently zoned for high and medium density housing. Priority should be given to housing over nonresidential development.
• Under HE-12: Prioritization Affordable Housing, she is concerned that there are not enough teeth in that program to prioritize affordable housing. Creating a city density bonus program ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 5 of 9 specific to moderate income would be a good way to incentivize developers because they are not utilizing the state density bonus program due to its low AMI. • Under HE-10: Multi-Unit Housing Program, she agrees with Vice Chair Baucke’s point that the definition around workforce housing is important to move forward and create a policy that addresses this need. City Council gave clear direction to make the community benefit decision no longer just housing in general but specific to housing projects that have a varied level of affordability to incentivize affordable housing. Community benefit should be redefined. She thinks it is a big mistake to state that any housing is a community benefit based on the numbers from the City’s last RHNA cycle. The City is in a great place on above market housing, but in a very dire place for moderate, low, and very low-income. • Appreciates Commissioner Wiscomb’s comments regarding HE-1 and an Adaptive reuse ordinance. She agrees that it should be expanded City wide understanding that the City does not have a specific number of how many buildings would be eligible for this program. • She is happy to hear that the affordable housing trust fund is being prioritized. She agrees with staff on the importance of moving this forward so that the City can maximize and leverage those dollars.
• Under HE-5: Process Improvements, she suggests working towards implementing the Novak recommendation sooner. Specifically, some of the things that the Housing Authority called out in their public comment for providing more incentives and streamlining for 100% affordable housing projects. It does not make sense that a 100% affordable housing project would receive the same benefits as non-affordable housing projects. • The Commission and developers rely on the general plan, definitions, and policies that the City puts forward. She believes it is important that the language specifically prioritizes affordable housing and cannot be misinterpreted. She thinks the document needs to be clear so that the Commission can point at that policy and say affordable housing is the priority above all other developments. There could be a caveat, noting that does include developments such as health clinics that are providing a community benefit.
Commissioner DeLuccio:
• Congratulations to staff on this document. He is hopeful that the City can adopt the housing element and move forward.
• Supports the priorities listed in the draft housing element. • The goals set up right now are broad and not fleshed out yet, but that will come later. Starting in 2024 the Commission can dig into each of these programs, flesh them out, and make recommendations to City Council.
• The document should be more general and call out some of the housing funds for example.
Doesn’t want to get into more detail now.
• This is a document in time that is going to be adopted, but 2 years from now it will be outdated, so it is fine the way that it is overall.
• There needs to be a reference to an as of date when referencing how much money is in the affordable housing trust fund.
• Under HE-2 he suggests moving the date to early 2024 for the La Cumbre Plaza planning area to correspond with the robust number of units that are identified to come out of La Cumbre Plaza.
• Some of the numbers are inflated and ambitious in terms of meeting low and moderateincome levels.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 6 of 9 Commissioner Baucke:
• Thanks to staff. He recognizes the effort and extreme amount of due diligence that is involved here.
• This is the most important document that the City is going to have in front of it because affordable housing is at a crisis in this community. With that knowledge he will support moving this on to City Council, but wants the PC’s comments brought forward to Council. • Supports the comments Commissioner Boss and Commissioner Wardlow made to be brought to City Council as the PC’s recommendation.
• Thanks to the public that read through this document. There are some comments and revisions that they had that he thinks should be incorporated. • Regarding the conversion of nonresidential buildings under HE-1, it should be City wide with an emphasis with the CBD.
• Under HE-4 he believes the units should be “deed restricted” in the first sentence. • Prioritize “deed restricted” affordable housing under HE-12. • Suggestion to remove upper middle income housing for ownership and rentals in the last sentence of the last paragraph on page 134. He does not believe that the City should be prioritizing any incentives that the market will provide. The incentives should be towards moderate and lower income housing opportunities.
• An affordable housing linkage fee should be added under HE-31. • A local bonus density program is very important. The state density bonus program doesn’t meet the City’s needs, so the City should have one that is tailored. Suggestion to modify the priority housing overlay accordingly.
• In the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara’s public comment their recommendation for changes to goal 2 or policy 2.6 at the bottom of their page should be incorporated. Their comments on HE-12, policies 2.3, 2.5, and the change that they are recommending on the second bullet be included.
• Agrees with Linda Honikman’s public comment on page 132 HE-8: Innovative Housing Types. Co-living and cooperative housing are innovative housing concepts that the City should embrace. A number of these projects provide great affordability and should be kept as an innovative housing type.
• Agrees with Rob Frederick’s of the Housing Authority public comment regarding the amount of affordable housing. Affordable deed restricted units need to be at least 50% of the units to qualify as a community benefit.
Commissioner Lodge:
• Congratulates and thanks staff on the work that has gone into this document. • Supports recommending an adoption of the housing element. • In general, supports the suggestions made by the Commission, particularly Vice Chair Baucke.
• Opposed to anything that is an increased incentive or density. • The point of the AUD program was to increase density and workforce affordable housing, but it does not. Eliminating parking does not increase affordability. Rents will be what the market will bear. The 63 dwelling units per acre that the City allows is 3 times what Carpinteria allows and 2 times what most other jurisdictions in the County allow. • Community benefit was a designation that was developed with Measure E that created a way of regulating nonresidential development. It was to allow for developments such as childcare facilities, clinics, hospitals, museums, and theatres to be developed, but it did not include rental housing. The term rental housing needs to be deleted from the community benefit definition.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 7 of 9 Chair Bonderson:
• Agrees with fellow Commissioners’ comments with the details provided for each policy. • Agrees with adding acknowledgement to the public commenters. • Thanks and acknowledgement for the hard work put forward by staff. She recognizes this is not a short process and it is not an endeavor that can be done by a single individual. • Encourages diverse working groups with both community professionals and city appointees to look at neighborhood development standards to provide more nuanced development standards. She wants to make sure that the improvements the City makes address the diverse neighborhoods and maximize what can be done without burdening the neighborhoods.
• The applicants for the project at 701 N. Milpas went through the process of negotiating a development agreement with the City to find a compromise. This resulted in a higher percentage of inclusionary units. Suggestion to offer that to every applicant if they are willing to negotiate. It could be beneficial if the City can get increased inclusionary units as a result of these compromises that won’t burden the neighborhood. • Improving the consistency of the development process is an important piece of this puzzle that can be done immediately without policy change. Upon initial submittal every department should review projects, even if that portion takes longer, getting everything upfront immediately will make it so that the goal posts don’t change and there are no changes to the review later on in the process.
• Suggestion to have a brief check-in on housing on every City Council Agenda. This could help support things that can be done without immediate policy change. That includes encouraging more public and private partnerships and allocation of staff resources to help alleviate the burden that is on staff. As a result, the process will be sped up and streamlined and housing will be prioritized and incentivized to ultimately improve the situation that the City is in. This should be on every single City Council agenda until the City sees measurable progress. Planning Commission can make recommendations, but City Council can help put them into action.
MOTION: Wiscomb / DeLuccio
Recommendation to City Council to adopt the Draft of the 2023-2031 Housing Element, with the following recommendations:
1. Consideration to add slide 36 themes to the executive summary.
2. Include a definition of lower income in the glossary.
3. Update table 50 gets to eliminate any programs that are not applicable to the City of Santa Barbara.
4. Remove the specific $675,000 in lieu fund amount or have an as of date for that particular amount of money.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 Noes: 4 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0
Individual comments:
• Commissioner Wardlow stated that she opposed the motion because she wants to ensure that the comments and collective feedback from the overall Commission discussion that was captured most adequately by Commissioner Boss are included as part of the motion. • Commissioner Boss stated that she opposed the motion because she is not comfortable recommending adoption without the changes that were previously stated.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 8 of 9 • Vice Chair Baucke stated that he opposed the motion because it is the Commission’s job to provide City Council a collective recommendation of the document and just passing it on does not do that.
• Chair Bonderson stated that she opposed the motion because the housing element is probably the single most important document of our City and if the Commission is making a recommendation to City Council she wants to ensure that that recommendations are included in detail.
MOTION: Baucke / Wardlow
Recommendation to City Council to adopt the Draft of the 2023-2031 Housing Element, with the following recommendations:
1. Add staff’s Powerpoint slide 36 themes to the executive summary.
2. Broadly increase density only when tied to specific income categories.
3. Implement a study starting as soon as possible in 2024 to include HE-12 regarding increased inclusionary, HE-13I regarding increased in-lieu fees, HE-31 regarding development impact fees, tier 4 storm water, and bring inclusionary and in-lieu changes simultaneously.
4. Change the time frame for HE-1 (adaptive reuse) to Q1 2024 to prepare and adopt the ordinance and Q1 2025 for outreach materials.
5. Expand adaptive reuse to City wide, but with emphasis on the central business district.
6. Specify and define nonresidential priority projects with broad community benefit, including museums and health clinics.
7. Change the date by a year earlier for HE-2: La Cumbre Plaza Planning Area to begin no later than 2026.
8. HE-4 should include “deed restricted.”
9. Implement the Novak recommendations for HE-5: Process Improvements as soon as possible.
10. Include shared housing, co-living, or cooperative housing for HE-8: Innovative Housing Types.
11. Change the end date to Q3 2025 for HE-10: Multi-Unit Housing Program time frame. Prioritize changes that have been in the que such as updating the community benefit definition to include only deed restricted affordable housing rather than all rental housing, and creating a clear definition of workforce housing that would include AMI.
12.In HE-12 add "deed restricted” to the title.
13.In HE-12 specify the City Bonus Density Program focused on the central business district to allow developers to go higher than the base density, increase height, and make it for moderate income.
14.Change the language in HE-12 to include exploring a local preference for new housing at all income levels.
15.In HE-16 emphasize the trust language as City Council gave that direction and note that staff is simultaneously pursuing program funds which may fall under housing opportunities, preservation, and equity.
16.For HE-16, specify a time frame in 2024 because of the State Funding opportunity window.
17. Change the timeframe for HE-20: Evaluate Hotel Zones to update the trend analysis and amend zoning ordinance by 2025. That could include removing hotel zones where mid to high density residential is allowed.
18.In HE-31 add affordable housing linkage fee to the list.
19.In policy 2.6 eliminate upper middle income from goal 2 and policy 2.6.
20. Update table 50 to reflect only those opportunities that apply to Santa Barbara.
21.Broadly fix typos and data errors noted by Commissioners in today’s discussion.
ATTACHMENT 1
Planning Commission Minutes November 16, 2023 DRAFT Page 9 of 9 The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 7 Noes: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
ACTUAL TIME: 6:02 P.M.
Item postponed to the December 7, 2023 agenda.
V. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bonderson adjourned the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
Submitted by,
__________________________________________
Mariah Johnson, Commission Secretary
ATTACHMENT 1
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
November 16, 2023
Elias Isaacson, Director
Community Development Department
City of Santa Barbara
PO Box 1990
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990
Dear Elias Isaacson:
RE: City of Santa Barbara’s 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Revised Draft Housing Element Thank you for submitting the City of Santa Barbara’s (City) revised draft housing element that was received for review on October 31, 2023. In addition, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) received pending revisions on November 14, 2023. The revised draft was made available to the public for seven days. Further, HCD considered public comments from Linda Honikman and Mullen and Henzel pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (c). Pursuant to Government Code section 65585, HCD is reporting the results of its review.
The revised draft element meets the statutory requirements that were described in HCD’s June 16, 2023 review. The housing element will substantially comply with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when it is adopted, submitted to, and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585.
Further, HCD reviewed pending revisions that were submitted November 14, 2023.
These revisions generally involve adjustments to timelines in various programs. These pending revisions do not impact HCD’s above finding. HCD encourages the City to consider timeliness of implementation to have a beneficial impact for households in the planning period and continue to prioritize programs related to providing adequate sites to accommodate the regional housing need allocation (RHNA), addressing governmental constraints, assisting in the development and conservation of housing for lower-income and special needs households and affirmatively furthering fair housing.
Examples include Programs HE-1, HE-3, HE-5, HE-6, HE-7, HE-8, HE-9, HE-12, HE16, HE-20, HE-22 and HE-31.
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element process, the City should continue to engage the community, including organizations that represent lower-income and special needs households, by making information regularly available and considering and incorporating comments where appropriate. Please be ATTACHMENT 2
Elias Isaacson, Director
aware, any revisions to the element must be posted on the local government’s website and to email a link to all individuals and organizations that have previously requested notices relating to the local government’s housing element at least seven days before submitting to HCD.
For your information, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1398 (Chapter 358, Statutes of 2021), as the City did not adopt a compliant housing element within 120 days of the statutory deadline (February 15, 2023), programs to rezone and make prior identified sites available or address a shortfall of capacity to accommodate the RHNA (e.g., Program HE-4) must be completed no later than one year from the statutory deadline. Otherwise, the local government’s housing element will no longer comply with State Housing Element Law, and HCD may revoke its finding of substantial compliance pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (i).
Specific analysis and actions are necessary if the housing element relies upon nonvacant sites to accommodate more than 50 percent of the RHNA for lower-income households. For your information, the housing element must demonstrate existing uses are not an impediment to additional residential development and will likely discontinue in the planning period. (Gov. Code, § 65583.2, subd. (g)(2).) Absent findings (e.g., adoption resolution) based on substantial evidence, the existing uses will be presumed to impede additional residential development and will not be utilized toward demonstrating adequate sites to accommodate the RHNA.
For your information, pursuant to Government Code section 65583.3, the City must submit an electronic sites inventory with its adopted housing element. The City must utilize standards, forms, and definitions adopted by HCD. Please see HCD’s housing element webpage at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-communitydevelopment/housing-elements for a copy of the form and instructions. The City can reach out to HCD at [email protected] for technical assistance.
Several federal, state, and regional funding programs consider housing element compliance as an eligibility or ranking criteria. For example, the CalTrans Senate Bill (SB) 1 Sustainable Communities grant, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, and HCD’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation consider housing element compliance and/or annual reporting requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65400. With a compliant housing element, the City will meet housing element requirements for these and other funding sources.
For your information, some general plan element updates are triggered by housing element adoption. HCD reminds the City to consider timing provisions and welcomes the opportunity to provide assistance. For information, please see the Technical Advisories issued by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research at:
https://www.opr.ca.gov/planning/general-plan/guidelines.html.
Elias Isaacson, Director
HCD appreciates the hard work, collaboration and dedication the housing element team provided in the review and update of the housing element. HCD particularly applauds Rosie Dyste, Daniel Gullett, Jillian Ferguson and Adam Nares. HCD looks forward to receiving the City’s adopted housing element. If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Paul McDougall
Senior Program Manager
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA ADOPTING THE 2023-2031 HOUSING
ELEMENT WITH PROPOSED REVISIONS AS AN
AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN AND
DETERMINING THAT THE HOUSING ELEMENT
AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO
CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3).
WHEREAS, State Housing Element Law (Government Code Sections 65580 et seq.) requires that the City Council adopt a Housing Element for the eight-year period 2023- 2031 to accommodate the City of Santa Barbara regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 8,001 housing units;
WHEREAS, the City has prepared the 2023-2031 Housing Element (the Housing Element) in compliance with State Housing Element Law and has identified sites that can accommodate housing units meeting the City’s RHNA;
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2022, the City conducted a duly and properly noticed public hearing to initiate the 2023-2031 Housing Element as a General Plan amendment as provided in Government Code Section 65350 et. Seq.;
WHEREAS, as provided in Government Code sections 65352 – 65352.5 the City mailed a public notice to all California Native American tribes provided by the Native American Heritage Commission and to other entities listed and no California Native American tribe requested consultation;
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2022, the City Council and Planning Commission held a duly noticed joint public hearing to provide input on the Housing Element Update goals; WHEREAS, on May 17, 2022, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider and adopt 2023-2031 Housing Element goals;
WHEREAS, the City conducted extensive community outreach over the last two years including one joint workshop with Santa Barbara County and the cities of Goleta and Carpinteria; at least 10 public workshops before the Youth Advisory Council, Access Advisory Committee, Single Family Design Board, Historic Landmarks Commission, Architectural Board of Review, and Planning Commission; and multiple presentations before nonprofit organizations and other groups interested in housing issues; WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 65585 (b), on July 5, 2022, the City posted the draft Housing Element and requested public comment for a 30-day review period, and on August 19, 2022, after responding to public comments, the City submitted the draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its review;
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2022, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to provide input on the Draft Housing Element;
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to provide input on the Draft Housing Element;
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2022, the City received a letter from HCD finding that the Draft Housing Element addresses many statutory requirements; however, revisions are necessary to comply with State Housing Law;
WHEREAS, on April 10, 2023, the City published a Revised Draft Housing Element responding to HCD’s findings and requested public comment for a 10-day review period, and on April 18, 2023, after responding to public comments, the City submitted the Revised Draft Housing Element to HCD for its review;
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2023, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to provide input on the Revised Draft Housing Element; WHEREAS, on June 16, 2023, the City received a letter from HCD finding that the Revised Draft Housing Element addresses many statutory requirements, however further revisions were needed to comply with State Housing Law; WHEREAS, from July to October 2023, the City periodically met with HCD to discuss revisions necessary to find the Housing Element in substantial compliance and submitted interim draft revisions for HCD’s initial approval; WHEREAS, on October 20, 2023, the City published the Adoption Draft Housing Element responding to HCD’s findings and requested public comment for a seven-day review period, and on Octobe 31, 2023, after reviewing and responding to public comments, the City submitted the October 20, 2023 Adoption Draft Housing Element to HCD for its review;
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2023, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing and recommended that the City Council adopt the Housing Element; WHEREAS, on November 16, 2023, the City received a letter from HCD stating that the draft Housing Element is in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law, and will comply with State Housing Element Law when it is adopted; WHEREAS, the City published the final draft Housing Element (determined to be in substantial compliance by HCD) on the City website and requested public comment on the final draft; and
WHEREAS, the 2023-2031 Housing Element land inventory relies on nonvacant sites to accommodate more than 50 percent of the housing needs for lower-income households, which triggers requirements under Government Code § 65583.2 (g)(2) to make findings based on substantial evidence that the existing use is not an impediment and will likely discontinue in the planning period;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that based on the factors and substantial evidence in the record presented below and in the analysis in the Neighborhood Sites Opportunities Areas in Appendix G of the Housing Element, that the existing uses on sites identified in Appendix G: Suitable Sites Inventory will not impede residential development; WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing to take public testimony and consider this Resolution regarding the proposed Housing Element, reviewed the Housing Element and all pertinent maps, documents and exhibits, including HCD’s findings: and
WHEREAS, the City Planner is the custodian of the records of proceedings for the 2023- 2031 Housing Element. The documents and other materials which constitute the records of proceedings for these City actions are located at the City of Santa Barbara Community Development Department, Planning Division, 630 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California. Copies of these documents are available for public review during normal business hours upon request at the City Planning Division office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated by reference into this action.
SECTION 2. After full consideration of the entire public record, the Council finds that the draft Housing Element substantially complies with Housing Element Law, as provided in Government Code 65580 et seq., and contains all provisions required by State Housing Element Law and the comments provided by HCD.
SECTION 3. The goals, policies, and programs of the 2023-2031 Housing Element meets the intent of Charter Section 1507, "living within our resource limits". Adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element will not cause public services or resource capacities to be exceeded.
SECTION 4. The City Council finds that based on the factors and substantial evidence in the record presented below and in the analysis in the Neighborhood Sites Opportunities Areas in Appendix G of the draft Housing Element, that the existing uses on sites identified in Appendix G: Suitable Sites Inventory will not impede residential development. The factors include but are not limited to:
a) The City’s track record of approving residential and mixed-use development on nonvacant sites as described in Chapter 4, Nonvacant Sites Development section.
b) Existing uses on many sites include older structures that show signs of deferred maintenance.
c) Existing buildings have relatively low site coverage that would allow residential development without necessarily requiring demolition of existing buildings. d) Existing sites have low building to improvement value or low building to land value.
e) Existing commercial spaces on some sites are currently vacant and the City is unaware of existing leases or other private constraints that would prevent residential development of underutilized sites during the planning period. f) The sites are in close proximity to schools, jobs, active transportation, and parks. g) There are no identified conditions that would preclude or impact housing development (i.e., shape, easements, contamination, significant biological resources or hazards).
SECTION 5. The 2023-2031 Housing Element is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq.), pursuant to the "common sense exemption” (14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15061 (b)(3)), because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the 2023-2031 Housing Element may have a significant effect on the environment because it does not approve any development project or other physical change to the environment. Rather, the 2023-2031 Housing Element is a document that sets forth the City's policies to plan for the City's regional housing needs allocation.
Approval of any subsequent zoning amendments or housing development projects in accordance with the policies set forth in the 2023-2031 Housing Element will comply with CEQA.
SECTION 6. The City Council hereby adopts the 2023-2031 Housing Element with proposed revisions, as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
SECTION 7. The General Plan is amended to repeal the General Plan 2015 Housing Element and General Plan Appendices E: 2007-2014 Housing Element Evaluation Table, F: Zoning Information and Fees; G: 2015 Housing Element Five-Year Work Program; and H: Available Land Inventory Table and Map in its entirely.
SECTION 8. The General Plan is further amended to add this resolution to “Appendix A:
City Council Resolutions” to add City Council Resolution for Adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element.”
SECTION 9. The Community Development Director or designee is hereby directed to file all necessary material with the Department of Housing and Community Development for the Department to find that the Housing Element is in conformance with State Housing Element Law and is further directed and authorized to make all non-substantive changes to the Housing Element to make it internally consistent or to address any nonsubstantive changes or amendments requested by the Department to achieve certification.
Exhibit A: 2023-2031 Housing Element
Exhibit A
2023-2031 Housing Element
HOUSING
ELEMENT
2023–2031
6th Cycle
Adopted by City Council
December 12, 2023
Resolution No.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | i
City of Santa Barbara Mayor
Mayor Randy Rowse
City of Santa Barbara City Council
Members
Alejandra Gutierrez, District 1
Mike Jordan, District 2
Oscar Gutierrez, District 3
Kristen Sneddon, District 4
Eric Friedman, District 5
Meagan Harmon, District 6
City of Santa Barbara Planning Commission
Members
Roxana Bonderson, Chair
John M. Baucke, Vice Chair
Lucille Boss
Donald DeLuccio
Gabriel Escobedo, Chair (former)
Jay D. Higgins (former)
Sheila Lodge
Devon Wardlow
Lesley Wiscomb
City of Santa Barbara Community
Development
Elias Isaacson, Director
Renee Brooke, City Planner (former)
Allison DeBusk, City Planner
Laura Dubbels, Housing and Human Services
Manager
Daniel Gullett, Principal Planner
Brenda Beltz, Administrative Analyst II
Timmy Bolton, Project Planner (former)
Rosie Dyste, Project Planner
Dana Falk, Project Planner
Jessica Metzger, Project Planner (former)
Adam Nares, GIS Technician
Jillian Ferguson, Associate Planner
Maria Schroeder, Housing Programs Specialist
Elizabeth Stotts, Program Analyst
City of Santa Barbara Community
Development (continued)
Lindsey Drewes, Community Development
Program Specialist
Logan Cimino, Planning Intern (former)
Victoria Li Lahe, Planning Intern (former)
Matthew Winter, Planning Intern (former)
Consulting Team – BAE
Aaron Barker, Vice President
Matt Kowta, Managing Principal
Additional Support Provided by
The Santa Barbara Foundation
The City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | ii
Contents
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... xii Housing Element Organization ............................................................................................................ xiv Public Outreach and Opportunities to Comment ............................................................................... xv
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Housing Element Purpose and Context ............................................................................................... 1 Relationship to Other General Plan Elements ..................................................................................... 2 Community Context ................................................................................................................................. 3 Public Outreach and Participation ........................................................................................................ 4
2. Housing Needs Summary/Community Profile ....................................................................... 8 Population Trends .................................................................................................................................... 8 Employment Trends .............................................................................................................................. 11 Housing Stock Characteristics ............................................................................................................ 13 Household Characteristics ................................................................................................................... 18 Housing Affordability ............................................................................................................................ 19 Assessment of “At Risk” Assisted Units ........................................................................................... 25 Special Housing Needs ......................................................................................................................... 32 Consolidated Action Plan ..................................................................................................................... 32
3. Housing Constraints ................................................................................................................ 50 Governmental Constraints ................................................................................................................... 50 Non-Governmental Constraints ........................................................................................................... 91 Environmental Constraints ................................................................................................................... 93
4. Housing Resources .................................................................................................................. 96 Regional Housing Needs Allocation ................................................................................................... 96 Sites Inventory and Analysis ............................................................................................................... 97 Financial Resources ............................................................................................................................ 116 Administrative Resources .................................................................................................................. 119 Opportunities for Energy Conservation ........................................................................................... 121
5. Housing Plan ........................................................................................................................... 123 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | iii
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 123 Goals, Policies, and Programs ........................................................................................................... 124
6. Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 158 Appendix A: Review of 2015 Housing Element
Appendix B: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Appendix C: Public Outreach Table
Appendix D: Santa Barbara Accessory Dwelling Unit Use and Affordability Survey Appendix E: Housing Stock Surveys
Appendix F: Residential Development Standards
Appendix G: Suitable Sites Inventory
Tables, Charts, and Figures
Table 1: Regional Housing Needs Allocation Status (2015 - 2022) ........................................................xiii Table 2: Topic Links ............................................................................................................................... xvi Table 3: City General Plan Elements ........................................................................................................ 3 Table 4: Population Growth Trends (2010-2022) City of Santa Barbara .................................................. 9 Table 5: Population Forecasts City of Santa Barbara Vs. Santa Barbara County ................................... 9 Table 6: Age Distribution City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County .......................................... 10 Table 7: Employment by Industry City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County .............................. 11 Table 8: Residents in Workforce by Occupation City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County ....... 12 Table 9: Housing Unit Age City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County ........................................ 13 Table 10: Housing Conditions Survey City of Santa Barbara (2022) ...................................................... 14 Table 11: Existing Households by Tenure City of Santa Barbara vs Santa Barbara County .................. 16 Table 12: Housing Units by Type-Change Over Time City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Table 13: Occupancy Status City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County ..................................... 17 Table 14: Housing Stock by Type of Vacancy City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County ........... 17 Table 15: Household Growth Trends (1990-2019) City of Santa Barbara .............................................. 19 Table 16: Income Categories and Affordable Housing Costs Santa Barbara County ............................ 20 Table 17: Overcrowded Households by Tenure City of Santa Barbara .................................................. 23 Table 18: Cost Burden By Tenure And Income Category City of Santa Barbara ................................... 24 Table 19: Projects With Affordable Rental Housing At Risk (2023-2033) City of Santa Barbara ........... 26 Table 20: Projects With Affordable Ownership Housing At Risk (2023-2033) City of Santa Barbara ..... 27 Table 21: Affordable Rental Housing With Expired Affordability Covenants (2015-2022) City of Santa Barbara ................................................................................................................................................... 28 Table 22: Affordable Housing Projects Using Set-Aside Funds City of Santa Barbara (2014 – 2022) ... 31 Table 23: City Population by Age............................................................................................................ 33 Table 24: Elderly Householders by Tenure and Age .............................................................................. 33 Table 25: Community Development Block Grant Recipients .................................................................. 34 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 26: Organizations that Provide Services to People with Disabilities ............................................. 37 Table 27: Female Headed Households .................................................................................................. 40 Table 28: Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness City of Santa Barbara ................................ 45 Table 29: Number of Beds by Type and Area......................................................................................... 45 Table 30: Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness ................................................................. 48 Table 31: Santa Barbara General Plan Residential Density Ranges...................................................... 50 Table 32: Overlay Zones ........................................................................................................................ 53 Table 33: AUD Program Density by Category ........................................................................................ 57 Table 34: Building Height Example Projects ........................................................................................... 62 Table 35: Processing and Permitting Procedures ................................................................................... 71 Table 36: Example Multi-Unit Residential Permit Approval Timeline ...................................................... 81 Table 37: Example Single-Unit Residential Permit Approval Timeline ................................................... 82 Table 38: Fee Schedule Sample for Single-Unit Development ............................................................... 87 Table 39: Fee Schedule Sample for ADU Development ......................................................................... 88 Table 40: Fee Schedule Sample For Multi-Unit Development ................................................................ 89 Table 41: Planning Division Fees ........................................................................................................... 90 Table 42: 6th Cycle RHNA allocation ....................................................................................................... 96 Table 43: Example Projects on Sites Less Than 0.5 Acres .................................................................. 102 Table 44: Example Projects on Lot Merger Sites.................................................................................. 104 Table 45: Density Achieved on Projects of 10 or More Units ................................................................ 107 Table 46: Suitable Sites Inventory Pending Projects ............................................................................ 110 Table 47: Total Capacity by Income Level ............................................................................................ 112 Table 48: Water Demand Calculations ................................................................................................. 113 Table 49: Quantified Objectives (2023–2031) ...................................................................................... 115 Table 50: Funding Programs ................................................................................................................ 116 Table 51: Nonprofits and Public Agencies ............................................................................................ 120 Table 52: Fair Housing Programs Summary ......................................................................................... 145 Chart 1: Noninstitutionalized Persons with a Disability by Employment Status ...................................... 35 Chart 2: Percent of Persons Ages 5-64 by Type of Disability ................................................................. 36 Chart 3: Percent of Persons Ages 65 and Over by Type of Disability .................................................... 36 Chart 4: Household Size of Renter & Owner-Occupied Households ...................................................... 38 Chart 5: Housing Units by Number of Bedrooms .................................................................................... 39 Chart 6: Point in Time Count by Year ..................................................................................................... 44 Chart 7: AUD Applications Since 2013 ................................................................................................... 80 Figure 1: Housing Stock Neighborhoods Surveyed ................................................................................ 15 Figure 2: Upper State Street Overlay Zone ............................................................................................ 55 Figure 3: Reduced Residential Parking Areas ........................................................................................ 59 Figure 4: Height Limits ............................................................................................................................ 62 Figure 5: Lot Consolidation Example .................................................................................................... 103 2023-2031 Housing Element
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AB - Assembly Bill
ACS - American Community Survey
ACT - Alliance for Community Transformation
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
ADU - Accessory Dwelling Unit
AFFH - Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
AH - Affordable Housing
AI - Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
Choice
AMI - Area Median Income
AUD - Average Unit Size Density Incentive
CalHFA – California Housing Finance Agency
CDBG - Community Development Block Grant
CHAS - Comprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy
City - City of Santa Barbara
COPA - Community Opportunity to Purchase Act
County - County of Santa Barbara
CUP - Conditional Use Permit
DDS - Department of Developmental Services
DOF - Department of Finance
ELI - Extremely Low-income
FEHA - Fair Employment and Housing Act
FHAA - Fair Housing Act - Amended
FHEO - Fair Housing Enforcement and Outreach
HCD - Department of Housing and Community
Development
HOA - Homeowners Association
HRLP – Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program
HUD - Department of Housing and Urban
Development
LEAP - Local Early Action Planning (Grant)
LHMP- Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LMI - Low/Moderate Income
LMIHAF – Low and Moderate Income Housing
Asset Fund
LUP – Land Use Plan
MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organization
MTD - Metropolitan Transit District
OEHHA - Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment
PATH – People Assisting the Homeless
PIT - Point in Time
RCAA - Racially Concentrated Areas of Affluence
RDA - Redevelopment Agency
R/ECAP - Racially or Ethnically Concentrated
Area of Poverty
RGF - Regional Growth Forecast
RHMP - Rental Housing Mediation Program
RHNA - Regional Housing Needs Allocation
RTP - Regional Transportation Plan
SB - Senate Bill
SBCAG - Santa Barbara County Association of
Governments
SBCC - Santa Barbara Community College
SRO - Single Room Occupancy
SSI - Supplemental Security Income
State - State of California
TCAC - Tax Credit Allocation Committee
TCRC - Tri-Counties Regional Center
UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
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GLOSSARY
ADU: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
An attached or detached residential dwelling that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. An accessory dwelling is an accessory use to the permitted primary residential use and shall be located on the same parcel as the primary residential use.
AFFH: AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING
Taking meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Housing is generally considered to be affordable to a household if less than 30 percent of a household’s gross income is spent on housing costs (including rent, utilities, and mortgage interest).
Federal, state, and local housing assistance programs establish categories of affordable housing, set maximum incomes for eligibility to qualify for deed restricted affordable housing, and maximum rents and housing costs that may be charged based on household size. See also AMI and Deed Restricted.
State of California Income Categories for Households:
Extremely Low-Income: 0 to 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI)1. Very Low-Income: 30 to 50 percent of AMI.
Low-Income: 50 to 80 percent of AMI.
Moderate-Income: 80 to 120 percent of AMI.
Above Moderate-Income: More than 120 percent of AMI.
The Extremely Low-Income, Very Low-Income, and Low-Income categories are collectively referred to as “Lower-Income Households”.
City of Santa Barbara Definitions:
From the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, Santa Barbara Municipal Code Title 30, Chapter 30.160:
Middle-Income Household: A household whose income is between 120 to 160 percent of AMI, adjusted for household size.
Upper-Middle Income Household: A household whose income is between 160 to 200 percent of AMI, adjusted for household size.
Workforce Housing: Although not specifically defined in the Zoning Ordinance, the term “workforce housing” is typically used to refer to units for households that are overqualified for subsidized affordable housing (very low-, low-, and moderate-income), yet cannot afford the average market-rate housing. 1 For Regional Housing Needs Assessment, this is included in the very low-income category. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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The General Plan “Definitions” chapter describes “work force” under the “Affordable housing” definition as middle- and upper-middle income households earning up to 200 percent of AMI.
The City’s adopted Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures Manual (March 2021) provides additional details on qualifications for affordable housing.
AMI: AREA MEDIAN INCOME
The most recent applicable county median family (typically for a household of four people) income published by California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC).
AUD: AVERAGE UNIT‐SIZE DENSITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
A housing development program adopted by the City in 2013 to encourage the construction of new rental housing with increased densities (up to 63 units/acre) and other incentives.
CITY
City of Santa Barbara.
COASTAL ZONE
That land and water area of the City of Santa Barbara extending seaward to the State’s outer limit of jurisdiction and extending inland to the boundary shown on the official Zoning Maps for the CZ Coastal Overlay Zone, as amended from time to time and adopted by the Coastal Commission.
CDBG: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
An annual entitlement received by the City from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Moneys are predominantly used for capital projects located in low-income neighborhoods. The grants also fund activities of social service agencies. See also HOME.
COMMUNITY PRIORITY PROJECT
As defined in Title 30, Chapter 30.170 Nonresidential Growth Management Program, a project that has a broad public benefit, is not principally operated for private profit, and is necessary to meet a present or projected need directly related to public health, safety or general welfare (e.g., museums, childcare facilities, health clinics)
CUP: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
A discretionary permit that enables the City to consider, on an individual basis, specific land uses that might otherwise have undesirable effects upon an area and to approve such uses when conditions can be placed on them that would avoid those effects.
DEED RESTRICTED
For the purpose of this Housing Element, deed restricted refers to housing subject to affordability restrictions or covenants. In the City of Santa Barbara, the developer/owner of deed restricted rental and ownership units must execute and record an “Affordability Covenant” for a term of ninety (90) years from the effective date of the covenant.
DENSITY
For the purpose of this Housing Element, density means number of permanent dwelling units per acre. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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DENSITY BONUS
An increase in maximum allowable density for qualifying projects, in accordance with California Density Bonus Law (Government Code §§ 65915-65918) or the City’s Density Bonus Program (Santa Barbara Municipal Code Title 30, Chapter 30.145).
GENERAL PLAN
The comprehensive General Plan of the City of Santa Barbara together with all Specific Plans adopted by the City Council. See also Specific Plan.
HOME: HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
An annual entitlement received by the City from HUD for the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing for low- and moderate-income households. The City typically uses HOME funds to assist local housing and service providers to provide security deposit loans and tenant-based rental assistance.
HOUSEHOLD
For the purpose of this Housing Element and the census data presented herein, a household includes all the people who occupy a residential unit, which is any building or portion thereof that contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, for not more than one household. People not living in households are classified as living in group residential, which are shared living quarters without separate kitchen facilities for each room or unit, where five or more rooms or beds are rented individually to tenants under separate rental agreements, and meal service is typically included in the price of lodging.
HASB: HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
A local public agency that provides affordable rental housing for low-income families, elderly, and disabled persons. It is an operating arm of the City and also a legally distinct public entity. The HASB provides housing and supportive services that is developed and owned and/or managed for eligible applicants and housing through rent subsidies. See also Housing Choice Voucher Program.
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
A federal government program (formerly known as Section 8) for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford housing in the private market. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HASB). A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the HASB on behalf of the participating family.
HOUSING ELEMENT LAW
Laws first passed by the California State Legislature in 1969 and periodically amended mandating that housing be included as an element of each jurisdictions’ general plan.
LANDMARK
A structure, site, cultural landscape or feature having historic, architectural, archeological, cultural, or aesthetic significance and designated by City Council as a Landmark under the provisions of Title 30. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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LAND USE CATEGORY
Any of the districts defined by Title 28 and Title 30 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code, which are applied to portions of the City of Santa Barbara for the purpose of identifying areas of land suitable for particular land uses. See also Zoning District.
LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING ASSET FUND
Established to conduct the dissolution of operations related to housing assets and activities of former Redevelopment Agency (Housing Successor) of the City of Santa Barbara.
MULTI‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL
Three or more attached or detached residential units and may include one or more accessory dwelling units on a single lot. Types of multi-unit residential include townhouses, multiple detached residential units (e.g., bungalow court), and multi-story apartment buildings.
OVERLAY ZONE
Additional regulations superimposed on existing zoning in specified areas. Subsequent development must comply with the requirements of both the overlay zone and the base district.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Persons who have a medical, physical, or mental condition, disorder or disability as defined in Government Code § 12926 or the Americans With Disabilities Act, that limits one or more major life activities.
PLANNING PERIOD
The time period between the due date for one housing element and the due date for the next housing element.
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
State-required estimates of the number of units likely to be constructed, rehabilitated, or conserved/preserved by income level during the planning period.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION/MODIFICATION
A change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act often refers to these types of accommodations as “modifications”.
Under the Fair Housing Act, a reasonable modification is a structural change made to existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a person with a disability, in order to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises.
RHNA: REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION
The Regional Housing Needs Allocation process establishes the total number of housing units that the City must plan for within the eight-year Housing Element planning period. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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SBCAG: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
A voluntary council of governments formed under a joint powers agreement executed by each of the general-purpose local governments. In Santa Barbara County, SBCAG is the designated regional planning agency and the metropolitan planning organization.
SINGLE‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL
One primary residential unit and up to one accessory dwelling unit or one junior accessory dwelling unit located on a single lot. This classification includes individual mobilehomes and manufactured housing units installed on a foundation system pursuant to § 18551 of the Health and Safety Code and meeting the standards of Section 30.185.270, Mobilehomes, Recreational Vehicles, and Modular Units, Individual Use, of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code. .
SITE
For the purpose of this Housing Element, site means a parcel or lot.
SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS
For the purpose of this Housing Element, special needs groups are seniors, people with disabilities (including developmental disabilities), large families (households of five or more persons), female headed households, farmworkers, people experiencing homelessness, and students.
SPECIFIC PLAN
A Specific Plan is a detailed policy and regulatory document that establishes zoning regulations tailored to the site, consistent with the General Plan. By law it is required to include:
Land use regulations and development standards;
A program of implementing measures;
Planned and needed public works projects to serve the Specific Plan area; and Financing measures necessary to implement the Plan and its recommendations.
SUITABLE SITES INVENTORY
An inventory of land suitable for residential development prepared to compare the City’s development capacity with its Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The inventory includes specific vacant sites and sites having the potential for redevelopment.
STRUCTURE OF MERIT
A historic resource designated by the Historic Landmarks Commission that deserves official recognition as having historic, architectural, archeological, cultural, or aesthetic value but does not rise to the level of Landmark status.
USE BY RIGHT
For the purpose of this Housing Element and suitable sites included in two or more consecutive housing element planning periods (i.e., nonvacant sites in the 5th cycle and vacant sites in the 5th and 4th cycle housing element), the phrase “use by right” applies to proposed housing projects on the aforementioned previously identified suitable sites when 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to very-low and low-income households. For these proposed projects, the City shall not require:
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A conditional use permit.
A planned unit development permit.
Other discretionary, local-government review or approval that would constitute a “project” as defined in § 21100 of the Public Resources Code (California Environmental Quality Act “CEQA”).
However, if the project requires a subdivision, it is subject to all laws, including CEQA. The “use by right” phrase does not preclude the City from imposing objective design review standards. However, the review and approval process must remain ministerial and the design review must not constitute a “project” as defined in CEQA.
VACANT SITE
A vacant site is a site without any houses, offices, buildings, or other significant improvements on it.
Improvements are generally defined as development of the land (such as a paved parking lot, or income production improvements such as crops, high voltage power lines, oil-wells, etc.) or structures on a property that are permanent and add significantly to the value of the property.
VACANT UNIT
A housing unit is vacant if no one is living in it at the time of the [U.S. Census Bureau] interview, unless its occupants are only temporarily absent. In addition, housing units where all the occupants have a usual residence elsewhere are grouped with vacant units.
ZONING DISTRICT
A specifically delineated area of district in the city within which regulations and requirements uniformly govern the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and structures. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2023-2031 Housing Element provides new goals and programs to guide the City over at least the next eight years to better address the gap between housing production and housing need in the community. The programs are informed by current housing conditions, demographic information, and the needs of our residents considering the lack of sufficient access to quality, affordable housing.
Since 1969, the State of California has required that cities and counties adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community through preparing a Housing Element as one of the required elements of the General Plan. The City’s first Housing Element was adopted in 1979 and has been updated periodically. Subsequent housing element laws require the City’s Housing Element to be updated in coordination with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) every other Regional Transportation Plan update (i.e., at least every eight years). Housing Element planning periods are referred to as “cycles”. This Housing Element is for the 6th cycle planning period from February 2023 to February 2031.
The housing needs for the City are determined through the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) process. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is responsible for determining regional housing need, segmented by income levels, for each the state’s Councils of Government, including SBCAG which comprises the entire County of Santa Barbara. HCD determines projected household population in consultation with the California Department of Finance (DOF) and adjusts the regional allocation to account for housing vacancy rate, replacement units, overcrowding, and cost burden.
For the 6th cycle RHNA, SBCAG received a regional determination of 24,856 units, which is approximately 125 percent higher than the 5th cycle (2014-2022) determination of 11,030 units. This increase in the regional determination reflects the markedly different housing markets in 2021 compared with 2014 as well as the addition of new existing need considerations (overcrowding and cost burden) due to state legislation adopted in 2018 (Senate Bill 828, 2018). The City’s 6th cycle RHNA allocation (8,001 units) is 95 percent higher than the 5th cycle (4,100 units).
In the 5th cycle, the total number of housing units that received a building permit up through calendar year 2022 is 1,832 units, or 45 percent of the total 5th cycle RHNA allocation (Table 1). As with previous years, most permitted housing units are in the “Above Moderate” RHNA income category, meaning housing affordable to households making 120 percent or more of the County’s Area Median Income (AMI). In 2022, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) accounted for just under half permitted units that year. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 1: Regional Housing Needs Allocation Status (2015 ‐ 2022)
RHNA INCOME
CATEGORY
2015 – 2022
RHNA
2015 – 2022
PROGRESS
REMAINING
ALLOCATION
PERCENT
REMAINING
Very Low 962 120 842 87.5%
Low 701 115 586 84.0%
Moderate 820 16 804 98.5%
Above Moderate 1,617 1,581 36 2.5%
Total 4,100 1,832 2,268 55.3%
There are multiple reasons why affordable units are not being produced at the same level as market rate but lack of financing is one of the key factors. From 1977 to 2012, the largest source of City affordable housing financing was from the City’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA). The state required each RDA to allocate at least 20 percent of annual tax increment revenue to create, protect, or rehabilitate affordable (very low, low, and moderate-income) housing. The state legislature dissolved all RDAs as of February 2012 and since then, no equivalent source of funding for affordable housing has been established. A program in this Housing Element is intended to at least partially replace this lost funding source.
The City government is not required to build the housing assigned through the RHNA process but it is responsible for ensuring that adequate land is zoned to accommodate the projected need and to adopt and implement programs that promote and facilitate housing at all income levels. The City must rely on infill redevelopment since there are very few vacant parcels. The City has the capacity to accommodate the RHNA units within the existing higher density residential and commercial zones that allow mixeduse development. The Sites Inventory and Analysis section demonstrates that the City has at least the capacity to meet the overall 6th cycle RHNA of 8,001 units with an additional buffer of approximately 14 percent to ensure that sufficient capacity will be available to accommodate RHNA income categories throughout the eight-year planning period, as recommended by HCD.
The City’s prior housing elements focused on removing regulatory barriers, incentivizing mixed-use development, supporting affordable housing programs, encouraging smaller units, and increasing residential density downtown. In particular, adoption of the Average Unit-Size Density Incentive (AUD) program in 2013 and new state laws to facilitate accessory dwelling units in 2017 (and as periodically amended) resulted in increased production of smaller market rate (i.e., above moderate-income level) rental units. However, the number of new deed-restricted units affordable to households making less than 120 percent of AMI has not met demand and the City is falling behind on affordable housing production as the demand increases. In response, the focus of the 6th cycle Housing Element programs is to increase the production of deed-restricted affordable units including creating a permanent source of funding for these units and adopting further incentives to encourage inclusion of higher levels of deed-restricted affordable units in new multi-unit housing projects.
A notable addition in this 6th cycle Housing Element is the need to “affirmatively further fair housing” as a required objective for local housing elements statewide. The concept of furthering fair housing comes from the Federal Fair Housing Act. It means that the City must take actions to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination. More information on this topic is available in Appendix B. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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The City of Santa Barbara is committed to allowing as much housing as possible within resource limits to provide an array of lifestyle options for a demographically and economically diverse resident population. Promoting a diversity of housing types, increasing the feasibility of development of underused and infill sites throughout the City, and focusing new housing near transit and jobs are some of the strategies needed for the City to meet its housing commitment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and continue to affirm that housing is a basic human right for all residents. The Housing Element lays out the City’s plan for removing barriers to housing production to counter welldocumented housing shortages and helps ensure that the City is planning for its “fair share” of affordable and market rate housing. The Housing Element also continues and expands upon the City’s efforts to preserve existing housing in the community.
Program implementation and time frames are guided by the following themes:
Reduce Constraints to Housing
o Streamline review, objective standards, process improvements Sustainable and Livable Neighborhoods
o Resource protection
Affordable Housing
o ADUs, inclusionary housing, density bonus, funds
Increase Housing Production
o Multi-unit housing
Preserve Existing Housing
o Hotels, short-term rentals, conversion ordinance, repairs Housing Element Organization
The Housing Element includes five main sections and appendices listed below. The Housing Plan (Section 5) builds upon and revises the goals, policies, and programs of the 2015-2023 Housing Element to ensure that the City can meet the housing needs of all residents through 2031, when the plan is scheduled to be updated again as required by state law. 1 INTRODUCTION
Introduces the purpose of the Housing Element, context, related documents, and summary of public outreach and participation.
2 HOUSING NEEDS SUMMARY/COMMUNITY PROFILE
Describes Santa Barbara’s demographics and existing housing related to the City’s housing needs, including housing type and affordability.
3 HOUSING CONSTRAINTS
Identifies governmental, market, environmental, and other existing obstacles or challenges to increasing and maintaining housing in Santa Barbara.
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4 HOUSING RESOURCES
Shows the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), or the “fair share” of housing units the City must plan for at different affordability levels as required by law, describes the sites inventory and analysis, and summarizes financial and administrative resources for housing. 5 HOUSING PLAN
Lays out the goals and steps needed to meet the housing needs of current and future residents over the next eight years. Each of the eight goals listed below has associated policies and detailed programs to meet the goal.
Goal 1: Create New Housing: Create new healthy, safe, and energy-efficient housing that meets community needs, within our resources.
Goal 2: Prioritize Affordable Housing: Prioritize housing that is affordable to the workforce and vulnerable communities, by the use of deed restrictions and other measures, over other types of development, with special emphasis on housing that meets the needs of extremely low, very low, low, moderate, and middle income, and special needs households. Goal 3: Provide Housing Assistance: Provide financial resources and supportive services for members of the community who need housing assistance.
Goal 4: Promote Housing Stability: Implement tenant protection measures, promote full-time occupancy of existing housing, and discourage conversion of housing to other uses. Goal 5: Preserve Housing: Maintain and improve the physical condition of existing housing at all affordability levels.
Goal 6: Engage the Community: Educate and support the community about housing issues, affordable housing opportunities, and available resources and programs. Goal 7: Coordinate with Regional Partners: Coordinate with surrounding communities and regional agency partners to address regional housing issues, homelessness, and the jobs/housing balance.
Goal 8: Fund Affordable Housing: Develop a permanent source of local funding to produce deed-restricted affordable housing.
APPENDICES
These are the more detailed, technical analyses and reports prepared to inform the goals, policies, and programs. It includes 1) a review of the 2015 Housing Element; 2) the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing assessment; 3) public outreach table; 4) accessory dwelling unit survey results; 5) housing stock survey results; 6) residential development standards; and 7) neighborhood descriptions and the suitable sites inventory.
Public Outreach and Opportunities to Comment
Public outreach is an important part of any General Plan update and, state law requires “...a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all segments of the community in the development of the housing element, and the program shall describe this effort.” A discussion of the City’s robust public 2023-2031 Housing Element
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outreach and participation effort is included in the Introduction and a detailed list of public outreach meetings and other efforts is in Appendix C.
There are at least four drafts planned for the 2023-2031 Housing Element: 1) Public Review Draft (released July 5, 2022); 2) HCD Review Draft (submitted August 19, 2022); 3) Revised HCD Review Draft (submitted April 2023); and 4) City Adoption Draft (date to be determined). Public comments are welcome and accepted on each draft. Prior to release of the Public Review Draft, the City received approximately 60 public comments on the Housing Element update. The Public Review Draft Housing Element was available for review from July 5 to August 3 2022 and the City received approximately 67 written comments on the draft. The HCD Review Draft was available for review from August 19 to March 13 2022 and the City received 15 written comments. The Revised HCD Draft was available for review from April to October 2023 and the City received 19 written comments. A strike through/underline version of each draft and a matrix of responses to public comments is available online (see Table 2 below).
Per HCD, if an organization or individual plans to provide comments to HCD on the City’s Housing Element, early contact with the assigned review staff member (HCD Analyst) is encouraged to ensure that HCD is aware of this intent. To ensure that HCD has sufficient time to consider comments in the review of the Housing Element, written comments should be provided within the first 30 days of the review, directly to the assigned HCD Analyst or emailed to [email protected].
For more information about the topics listed above, see Table 2.
Table 2: Topic Links
TOPIC LINK
General Plan - 2015 Housing
Element
https://santabarbaraca.gov/government/priorities-policies/general-plan Draft Housing Element and
Public Comments
https://santabarbaraca.gov/HEU
RHNA Allocation Process http://www.sbcag.org/rhna.html.
Housing Element Annual
Progress Reports
https://santabarbaraca.gov/government/priorities-policies/generalplan/general-plan-implementation-annual-progress-reports-apr.
Comments to HCD on the draft
Housing Element
[email protected]
Affirmatively Furthering Fair
Housing Data and Mapping
Resources
https://affh-data-resources-cahcd.hub.arcgis.com/
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1. INTRODUCTION
Housing Element Purpose and Context
The State of California has declared the availability of decent and suitable housing to be “a priority of the highest order”. This priority has become increasingly urgent in recent years as communities across the state, including Santa Barbara, struggle to meet the housing needs of all their residents. California Housing Element Law, established in 1969, recognizes the vital role local governments’ play in the supply and affordability of housing and requires all cities and counties in California establish a longrange plan to meet their fair share of regional housing needs. Cities are charged with planning for the welfare of their citizens, including ensuring that the existing and projected demands for housing are adequately met. The Housing Element is the primary tool used by the state to ensure local governments are appropriately planning for and accommodating enough housing across all income levels.
The Housing Element is a mandatory part of a jurisdiction’s General Plan but differs from other General Plan elements in two key aspects. The Housing Element must be updated every eight years for jurisdictions within a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) on a 4-year regional transportation plan (RTP) cycle, such as the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). The Housing Element must also be reviewed and approved (i.e., certified) by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
This Housing Element covers the 2023 to 2031 planning period (referred to as the “6th cycle” in state planning law) and contains updated goals and strategic directions (policies and programs) that the City is committed to undertake to address housing needs. State law requires a review of the prior “5th cycle” 2015 to 2022 Housing Element’s effectiveness in obtaining goals and objectives, including progress in implementation, and appropriateness of goals, policies, and programs to determine if they should be changed or adjusted in the next cycle. This evaluation is found in Appendix A.
Multiple changes to California Housing Element Law have become effective since processing of the City’s 5th cycle Housing Element. In particular, the state increased its ability to enforce Housing Element requirements, and the ability for interested persons to challenge the City’s compliance with Housing Element Law. Pursuant to Government Code § 65585, the state has a greater range of penalties that can be imposed on jurisdictions for noncompliance. This puts the City at risk of exposure to a variety of fiscal and regulatory impacts that could reduce local control over housing-related decision-making.
Jurisdictions that do not comply also risk the state imposing a more frequent Housing Element update cycle. The 6th cycle Housing Element Update was prepared to comply with Housing Element Law, as amended, and all other federal, state, and local requirements as necessary to demonstrate compliance with state law and gain state certification.
Beginning 2019, all housing elements must include a program that promotes and affirmatively furthers fair housing opportunities throughout the community for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Government Code § 65008, and any other state and federal fair housing and planning law. Under state law, affirmatively furthering fair housing means “taking meaningful actions, in addition to combatting discrimination, that overcome 2023-2031 Housing Element
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patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics.”
Additionally, all housing elements due on or after January 1, 2021, must contain an Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) consistent with the core elements of the analysis required by the federal Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Final Rule of July 16, 2015. The housing element land inventory and identification of sites must be consistent with a jurisdiction’s duty to AFFH and the findings of its AFH.
Appendix B includes the AFFH analysis. The City’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing prepared by Root Policy Research in 2020 (the “City AI”) provided extensive data and policy recommendations that informed the AFFH analysis.
Relationship to Other General Plan Elements
State law mandates the adoption of a general plan (Government Code § 65300), which serves as the blueprint for how a particular city or county will develop. A general plan expresses the community’s development goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses, both public and private. Zoning ordinances, specific plans, development projects, capital improvements, and development agreements are required to conform to the general plan. Preparing, adopting, implementing, and maintaining the general plan serves to identify the community’s land use, circulation, environmental, economic, and social goals and policies as they relate to future growth and development. The City has a long-standing commitment to affordable housing and sound community planning. Protecting and enhancing the quality of life by “living within our resources” have been fundamental goals for Santa Barbara since adoption of the first General Plan in 1964.
A general plan consists of individual elements that address a specific area of concern, but collectively, they make up an integrated planning approach for the jurisdiction. State law requires that general plans include the following seven elements:
Land Use
Transportation
Conservation
Noise
Open Space
Safety
Housing
A city or county may choose to have additional elements as part of their general plan. The City’s additional elements include Parks and Recreation, Economy and Fiscal Health, and Historic Resources.
In 2011, the City adopted the Plan Santa Barbara General Plan. This process resulted in a new General Plan Introductory Framework, a comprehensively updated Land Use Element, and a new set of goals and policies for the remaining elements. The 2011 General Plan update reorganized the Elements, consistent with the Introductory Framework for Sustainability (and state law), and compiled six previous volumes into one document as follows:
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Table 3: City General Plan Elements
To meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 8,001 new units over the next eight years and to affirmatively further fair housing, the Housing Element includes programs to amend adopted development standards and policies. As required by State law, elements of the General Plan should form an integrated, internally consistent plan, and inconsistencies cannot be remedied by a statement giving one element precedence over the others (Gov. Code § 65300.5; Sierra Club v. Board of Supervisors of Kern County (1981) 126 Cal.App.3d 698). Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element may require amendments to other General Plan elements to ensure internal consistency. In addition, the City will review for and confirm internal consistency as part of its annual General Plan Implementation Report required under Government Code § 65400.
Pursuant to State law, adoption of this Housing Element will trigger revision of the City’s Safety Element. The Safety Element was last updated and adopted in 2013. Since that time, the State has established new requirements pertaining to safety element updates as follows:
The safety element must be revised to identify new information on fire hazards, flood hazards, and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county that was not available during the previous revision of the safety element. The revision must occur upon each revision of the housing element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), but not less than every eight years.
The Safety Element update is anticipated to commence once the 2023-2031 Housing Element is certified. After City Council initiation of the General Plan amendment for the Housing Element and Safety Element updates in March 2022, the City also initiated formal notification to California Native American Tribes per state law. No further consultation was requested by the California Native American Tribes.
Community Context
Affordable housing on the South Coast is currently provided by a combination of local government agencies and programs, private nonprofit housing developers, and federal government rental subsidies, and privately-owned housing that may be more affordable than typical market rate housing (e.g., mobile homes, or accessory dwelling units provided free of rent or at a low cost to family members or caregivers). The City of Santa Barbara has provided, to developers and nonprofit sponsors, financial and/or land use incentives in exchange for long-term recorded affordability agreements ensuring that
ELEMENT LAST
UPDATED
OTHER COMPONENTS
Land Use 2011
Housing 2015
Open Space, Parks, and Recreation 2011 1972 Open Space Element 1982 Parks and Recreation Element
Economy and Fiscal Health 2011
Historic Resources 2012
Environmental Resources (includes
Conservation and Noise)
2011 1979 Conservation Element
1979 Noise Element
Circulation (Transportation) 2011 1997 Circulation Element Safety 2013
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subsidized units will remain affordable for a specified number of years. Additional units are subsidized under the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8). In total, there are approximately 5,543 affordable and Housing Choice Voucher assisted units within the City.
The South Coast region housing market area extends from the City of Carpinteria and the Ventura County line to the City of Goleta, including the City of Santa Barbara and all the region’s unincorporated communities. The County of Santa Barbara and the cities of Goleta, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara have regulatory authority over housing and job growth, as well as the provision of affordable housing.
Although the South Coast is a single housing market, median single-unit housing ownership prices vary by city or region, ranging from $1.2 million in Goleta to over two million in the City of Santa Barbara (median listing price for April 2022, realtor.com). However, even in the few areas of the City or South Coast where lower median home values exist, the price is generally unaffordable to the vast majority of households. Every year, the City publishes data on active rental housing listings across the South Coast. As of April 2022, median rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $3,475 in Santa Barbara (up 28 percent from April 2021) and $4,545 in Goleta (up 95 percent from April 2021). Median rent for a twobedroom house was $4,500 in Santa Barbara (up 58 percent from April 2021). In April 2021, the median rent for a two-bedroom house was $2,995 in Goleta. There was no sample data for twobedroom houses in Goleta in the 2022 survey (City of Santa Barbara 2022 and 2021 Rent Surveys for the South Coast, June 2022 & May 2021). Santa Barbara exhibits the same trend as much of the state and nation: home and rent prices are up significantly and the supply of available homes and apartments is severely insufficient.
While the amount of new commercial development has been limited in the City since 1990 through the Nonresidential Growth Management Program, the region has not adopted similar control measures, nor managed to produce enough levels of affordable housing. Regional cooperation in addressing the jobs/housing balance issues that affect the South Coast region continue to be an important goal of this Housing Element. Policies and programs recognizing and promoting the City’s commitment toward a coordinated regional effort in addressing the South Coast region’s housing market are included in the Element.
Public Outreach and Participation
California law requires local governments to engage the public in developing the Housing Element.
Specifically, Government Code § 65583(c)(7) states “that the local government shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the housing element, and the program shall describe this effort.” State law does not specify the means and methods for participation; however, it is generally recognized that participation must be inclusive.
Throughout the preparation of the 2023–2031 Housing Element, the City conducted numerous outreach efforts to engage all segments of the community.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS, ONLINE OUTREACH, AND IN‐PERSON EVENTS Learning from experience in public outreach during COVID-19, the City adapted public outreach to be a variety of virtual meetings, online outreach, live streaming video, and in-person events (Appendix C).
One of the greatest challenges of community engagement, especially during COVID-19, is diversity and involvement from those not typically engaged in city planning efforts. This is especially true for 2023-2031 Housing Element
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marginalized and disadvantaged populations in our community. To achieve the greatest level of participation, the City:
Ensured noticing of meetings and the website were bilingual for our residents who are not fluent in English and used guidelines from the California Web Accessibility standards for ADA compliance.
Built an interested parties list by advertising on City newsletters and social media (Facebook, Nextdoor, Twitter, and LinkedIn) and leveraging our partnerships with housing advocates, neighborhood groups, and professional organizations, reaching over 38,000 residents.
Educated and partnered with community groups on the importance of the Housing Element, including virtual and in-person meetings with over 40 nonprofit organizations who serve our residents, neighborhood groups, and faith-based organizations to increase engagement and build relationships.
Leveraged new relationships with stakeholders, neighborhood groups, and faith-based organizations to use their digital communications channels to inform residents throughout the process (social media, electronic newsletters, and websites) to distribute information and events to their served communities.
The City also developed events and activities designed to allow the public to participate in a way that was easy, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone. Some of the key activities used throughout the process were:
Developed a project website in both English and Spanish on informative materials, project progress, public outreach events, staff reports, draft documents, a live suitable sites GIS map, and other relevant links (https://santabarbaraca.gov/heu). Created educational videos in both English and Spanish on the Housing Element Process. Held a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting to establish the Housing Element goals.
Collaborated with the Cities of Goleta, Carpinteria, and the County of Santa Barbara on an in-person and live-streamed public workshop to review local housing element updates and regional housing issues2.
Conducted a community survey on the use of Accessory Dwelling Units. Formed a Planning Commission Working Group to help guide the Housing Element’s policies and programs.
Presented the Public Review Draft Housing Element to the City Council and Planning Commission during the public comment period to gather feedback from decision-makers. 2 Over 140 people attended the in-person event and over 30 attended the live-stream 2023-2031 Housing Element
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PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT
The first public draft of the Housing Element was released in July 2022 for a 30-day public review period. The draft was available in hard copy at the Eastside and Central libraries and City Hall and posted on the project website. The Planning Commission held a public hearing to take input on the public draft on July 14 with 16 written public comments and nine speakers, followed by City Council on July 26, 2022, with 22 written public comments and 19 speakers. Public notice of the two public hearings, with information about how to access the Public Review Draft, and all related materials were advertised in the newspaper, and communicated via an e-bulletin to the interested parties' list of over 370 subscribers and to City News in Brief that reaches approximately 30,000 people.
The City received over 120 comments on the July 2022 Public Review Draft Housing Element. Public comments were considered for a minimum of 10 business days after the close of the public comment period. City staff reviewed each public comment submitted during the outreach process to determine if changes should be made to incorporate them into the City’s housing strategy. Where appropriate, feedback received was incorporated into the August 2022 draft for submittal to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Staff prepared responses to comments in three categories: 1) Anonymous Comments from the Online Workshop (April 15–July 18, 2022); 2) Written Comments from Joint County and Cities Housing Element Workshop on June 22, 2022; and 3) Comments Received on the Draft Housing Element Prior to Release and During the Public Comment Period of July 5–August 3, 2022. A “Global Responses” to public comments was prepared for questions or concerns that were included in multiple public comment letters.
A strike through/underline version of each Draft, public comment letters, and the City’s response to the comments are posted on the project website. Notification of the availability of each Draft and responses to comments are sent to the interested parties list and published in the American Institute of Architects Newsletter.
On August 19, 2022, the City submitted the revised Draft Housing Element to HCD (HCD Review Draft) for a 90-day review period. During this review period, the City received 15 comments. Staff reviewed each comment and prepared written responses. While most of the responses were clarifications, public input on this draft resulted in revisions to include a study of fractional ownership trends within Program HE-20: Evaluate Hotel Zones and to propose amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to better accommodate childcare facilities.
On November 16, 2022, the City received the results of HCD’s review of the August 2022 Draft with revisions necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law. On April 19, 2023, the City submitted the April 10, 2023 Revised Draft Housing Element to HCD. Nine public comment letters were received on the Revised Draft. These included questions and comments about implementation of proposed programs, questions about the City’s compliance with permit streamlining and CEQA, inquiries about specific sites from potential developers, and comments about the ADU ordinance. The draft was revised where applicable in response to these comments.
On June 1, 2023, the City presented an overview of the Revised Draft Housing Element to the Planning Commission and took public comments. One individual spoke at the hearing and six public comment letters were received as well as follow up written comments and suggested edits from two Planning Commissioners and several comment letters after the hearing. The comments included input on specific programs and questions about data and quantified objectives. The draft was revised in 2023-2031 Housing Element
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response to many of the suggested edits and to clarify programs and data questions. New policies were also added in response to public comments.
Public outreach is ongoing over the course of the 6th Cycle Housing Element process. During the HCD 90-day review period and beyond, the City held five presentations and one radio interview about the Housing Element’s policies and programs, with a specific focus on special needs of persons with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and lower-income households. As described above, the City reviewed the comments, incorporated them as appropriate into each Draft, and posted the responses.
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2. HOUSING NEEDS
SUMMARY/COMMUNITY PROFILE
This section provides information related to the City’s demographic, household, and housing characteristics and an analysis of the community’s housing needs. Many demographic factors affect the demand for housing and the type of housing needed or preferred. Factors such as age, presence of children, size of household, and income all contribute to housing needs.
This section uses data from the U.S. Census, California Department of Finance, California Employment Development Department, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Housing Element Data Package (this package was provided to the County and each incorporated jurisdiction and mainly uses American Community Survey [ACS] 5-year estimates3 from 2015–2019), and other relevant sources. While every attempt was made to use the most recent or relevant data source available, the 2016–2020 ACS was not used due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on data quality in 2020. There were fewer ACS interviews in 2020 and respondents had higher levels of education and income and were more likely to be married than respondents in prior years. As such, sources may differ among population characteristics and from those cited in the City’s 2015 Housing Element.
Population Trends
POPULATION GROWTH TRENDS
In 2010 the City’s population was 88,410 and by January 2022 the State Department of Finance (DOF) estimated the City’s population to be 86,591, representing a two percent decrease over that 12-year period. Table 4 illustrates how the City’s population has changed over time. The largest population growth occurred between 2010 and 2016, with an increase in 4,467 people (5.1 percent), representing an average annual growth rate of 1.5 percent. However, in the years since 2016, the City’s population rate of growth has been considerably slower, with occasional decreases in population. 3 The 5-year estimates from the ACS are “period” estimates that represent data collected over a period of time. Multi-year estimates provide an increased statistical reliability of data in less populated areas and for small population subgroups. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 4: Population Growth Trends (2010‐2022)
City of Santa Barbara
YEAR POPULATION NUMERICAL
CHANGE
PERCENT
CHANGE
AVERAGE ANNUAL
GROWTH RATE
2010 88,410
2011 88,877 467 0.5% 0.05%
2012 89,474 597 0.7% 0.07%
2013 90,640 1,166 1.3% 0.1%
2014 91,629 989 1.1% 0.1%
2015 92,358 729 0.8% 0.08%
2016 92,877 519 0.6% 0.06%
2017 92,663 -214 -0.2% -0.02%
2018 92,759 96 0.1% 0.01%
2019 92,927 168 0.2% 0.02%
2020 87,476 -5,451 -6.2% -0.06%
2021 88,499 1,023 1.2% -0.01%
2022 86,591 -1,908 -2.2% -0.2%
State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population Estimates 2010-2020 and 2020-2022 Table 5: Population Forecasts
City of Santa Barbara Vs. Santa Barbara County
YEAR CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
POPULATION NUMERICAL
CHANGE
PERCENT
CHANGE
POPULATION NUMERICAL
CHANGE
PERCENT
CHANGE
2025 97,300 2,200 478,600 17,700
2030 98,600 1,300 1.3% 489,900 11,300 2.4%
2035 99,900 1,300 1.3% 501,500 11,600 2.4%
2040 101,100 1,200 1.2% 513,300 11,800 2.4%
2045 101,600 500 0.5% 517,500 4,200 0.8%
2050 102,000 400 0.4% 521,700 4,200 0.8%
SBCAG, Regional Growth Forecast 2050 Santa Barbara County 2023-2031 Housing Element
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PROJECTED REGIONAL POPULATION GROWTH
The Regional Growth Forecast (RGF) 2050 (Santa Barbara County Association of Governments 2018) forecasts demographic changes for the major economic and demographic regions and the eight incorporated cities of Santa Barbara County. The population forecast is based on projected job growth.
The RGF estimates that from 2025 to 2050, population in the County will increase by approximately 43,100 persons (nine percent) to a total of 521,700. Significant population increases are projected in the North County (i.e., west and north of Gaviota, including Lompoc, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, and Cuyama Valleys), while population increases in the South Coast region are expected to be substantially less. During the entire forecast period (2017–2050), the South Coast region is forecast to grow in population by about 15,850, or approximately seven percent, while North County is expected to grow by about 52,410, or approximately 22 percent.
The City of Santa Barbara’s population is projected to reach 102,000 by the year 2050. This represents a 4.8 percent total change or a 0.19 percent annual average increase from 2025 to 2050. For context, the 20-year annual average increase from 1990 to 2010 was approximately 0.17 percent. From 2010 to 2017, the population increased from 88,410 to 92,663, a 4.8 percent total increase (or a 0.7 percent annual average increase).
According to recent DOF estimates, from 2018 to 2022, the City’s population actually decreased from 92,759 to 86,591, a 6.6 percent total decrease (or a 1.3 percent annual average decrease). (California Department of Finance E-5 Population and Housing Estimates).
AGE CHARACTERISTICS
Housing needs are influenced by the age characteristics of the population. Different age groups have different housing needs based on lifestyle, family types, income levels, and housing preference. For the purpose of this analysis, the age groups are generally defined as preschool (0-4), school age (5-19), college / early workers, young adults (20-24), prime workforce and child rearing years (25-54), mid-life / pre-retirement (55-64), and senior / retirees (65+ years of age).
Table 6 below illustrates how the City’s age distribution from 2015 to 2019 compared to the County as a whole. This table shows that the City’s population is older than the County’s population as a whole, with a median age of 39 years compared to 33.8 years for the County. A population composed of older residents has implications regarding the type and size of future housing needs as well as for accessibility.
Table 6: Age Distribution
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
AGE GROUP CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
0-4 years 4,333 4.7% 28,159 6.3%
5-19 years 13,858 15.2% 92,555 20.8%
20-24 years 8,566 9.4% 49,023 11%
25-54 years 36,036 39.4% 158,345 35.6%
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AGE GROUP CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
55-64 years 11,525 12.6% 50,184 11.3%
65+ years 17,058 18.7% 66,563 14.9%
Total 91,376 100% 444,829 100%
Median Age 39 33.8
2015-2019 ACS, Table DP05
Employment Trends
CITY RESIDENTS JOBS BY INDUSTRY
Information on jobs and employment gathered during the 2015 to 2019 ACS is keyed to where people live. Table 7 shows the distribution of employed City residents by industry compared to Santa Barbara County as a whole. The most notable differences between City and County employment as seen in this table are the lower proportion of City residents employed in agriculture and the higher proportion of City residents employed in professional occupations and the arts and entertainment.
Table 7: Employment by Industry
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
INDUSTRY CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting,
and mining
408 0.8% 19,435 9.1%
Construction 2,948 5.8% 12,302 5.8%
Manufacturing 2,931 5.7% 14,552 6.8%
Retail trade 4,586 9.0% 20,456 9.6%
Educational services, and health care
and social assistance
12,510 24.5% 49,462 23.2%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and
accommodation and food services
7,789 15.3% 26,591 12.5%
Other services, except public
administration
3,122 6.1% 11,823 5.5%
Public administration 1,447 2.8% 8,742 4.1%
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INDUSTRY CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
Transportation and warehousing, and
utilities
1,323 2.6% 6,484 3.0%
Information 1,428 2.8% 3,942 1.8%
Finance and insurance, and real estate
and rental and leasing
2,656 5.2% 9,911 4.6%
Professional, scientific, and
management, and administrative and
waste management services
9,167 17.9% 25,849 12.1%
Wholesale trade 760 1.5% 3,889 1.8%
Total Employed City Residents 51,075 100% 213,438 ≈ 100% 2015-2019 ACS, Table DP03
CITY RESIDENT JOBS BY OCCUPATION
According to the 2015 to 2019 ACS, the majority (64.4 percent) of City residents are employed in whitecollar occupations, including management, business, science, arts, sales, and office occupations.
Compared to the County of Santa Barbara, City residents held white-collar jobs at a slightly higher rate during this period (Table 8).
Table 8: Residents in Workforce by Occupation
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
OCCUPATION CATEGORY CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
Management, business, science,
and arts occupations
23,174 45.4% 76,726 35.9%
Service occupations 11,726 23.0% 45,491 21.3%
Sales and office occupations 9,719 19.0% 40,877 19.2%
Natural resources, construction,
and maintenance occupations
3,362 6.6% 30,562 14.3%
Production, transportation, and
material moving occupations
3,094 6.1% 19,782 9.3%
Total Employed City Residents 51,075 ≈ 100% 213,438 100% 2015-2019 ACS, Table DP03
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Housing Stock Characteristics
HOUSING CONDITIONS
The age and exterior condition of housing is one indicator of overall housing conditions. Approximately 87 percent of the housing stock in the City was built prior to 1990 (Table 9), which can raise housing maintenance issues. Housing units older than 30 years typically need some rehabilitation work to address issues with roofing, siding, and plumbing and electrical systems.
Table 9: Housing Unit Age
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
YEAR
STRUCTURE
BUILT
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
ESTIMATE PERCENT ESTIMATE PERCENT
Built 2014 or later 241 0.6% 2,406 1.5%
Built 2010 to 2013 798 2.0% 3,078 2.0%
Built 2000 to 2009 1,682 4.2% 12,308 7.8%
Built 1990 to1999 2,313 5.8% 15,497 9.9%
Built 1980 to 1989 4,189 10.5% 23,414 14.9%
Built 1970 to 1979 5,587 14.0% 29,155 18.6%
Built 1960 to 1969 6,665 16.7% 31,650 20.1%
Built 1950 to 1959 7,319 18.3% 20,148 12.8%
Built 1940 to 1949 2,829 7.1% 6,058 3.9%
Built 1939 or earlier 8,309 20.8% 13,447 8.6%
Total Housing Units 39,932 100% 159,317 100%
2015-2019 ACS, Table DP-4 (census data collected for this table has a high margin of error, the estimate for units built 2014 or later in the City of Santa Barbara is lower than actual numbers) To further understand characteristics of the City’s existing housing stock, City staff conducted visual surveys to estimate the number of substandard units. If existing housing units fall into substantial disrepair or become dilapidated, they risk being removed from the City’s housing supply.
In April and May 2022, the City performed walking surveys of eight residential neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are a representative sample to provide for a general sense of the housing stock condition and were not intended to be a comprehensive City-wide survey. Housing units were surveyed from the street for the exterior condition of roofing, walls, windows, driveway, fencing, landscaping, and accumulated belongings in the yard. The condition of these elements was rated from one to three: one being “sound/good condition”, two being “minor/moderate need of repair”, and three being “substantial/major need of repair”.
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Roofing was rated based on its need for patching or replacement of damaged roof shingles or tiles.
Walls were rated based on their apparent structural integrity, paint condition, and noticeable damages, such as cracking. For instance, walls that received a score of one and were considered in “sound/good” condition had few to no cracks, minimal peeling, and appeared structurally sound. Walls that received a score of two and were considered in “minor/moderate need of repair” had noticeable cracking and peeling, but nothing substantial. Walls that received a score of three and were considered in “substantial/major need of repair” had significant cracking, peeling, and damage covering more than 50 percent of the housing unit, or appeared structurally unsound. Windows were rated based on if they were broken, cracked, or boarded up. The driveway was rated based on the severity of cracking. Accumulated belongings in the yard was rated based on the presence of inoperable machinery or personal belongings that were kept in the yard. Fencing was rated based on sagging, missing slats, or visible rusting. Landscaping was rated based on if it appeared to be maintained.
The ratings for each exterior condition were averaged and units were determined to be in “sound” to “dilapidated” condition.
The housing condition survey included a total of 1,584 housing units (Table 10). The majority of units were single-unit dwellings, followed by multi-unit complexes, and duplexes. Of the 1,584 units surveyed, 833 were found to be sound, 727 were found to be in minor need of repair, 22 were found to be in moderate need of repair, and two in substantial need of repair. None of the units surveyed were considered to be dilapidated.
Table 10: Housing Conditions Survey
City of Santa Barbara (2022)
HOUSING TYPE SOUND MINOR MODERATE SUBSTANTIAL DILAPIDATED TOTAL Single-Unit 690 557 17 2 0 1,266
Duplex 60 72 3 0 0 135
Multi-Unit 83 98 2 0 0 183
Total Units 833 727 22 2 0 1,584
Percent 52.6% 45.9% 1.4% 0.1% 0.0%
2022 City Housing Stock Condition Survey
The eight surveyed neighborhoods include Laguna, Eastside, Westside, the Mesa, San Roque, Samarkand, Downtown, and West Beach (Figure 1). The Laguna area is a mixed residential neighborhood that transitions to denser multi-unit, institutional, and office uses closer to Santa Barbara Street and the Downtown. The Eastside neighborhood is mainly residential, with most of its commercial activity located along the Milpas Street corridor. The majority of the Eastside neighborhood is 2023-2031 Housing Element
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designated for medium density housing, but also contains single-unit homes in the northeast and southeast corners and medium-high density housing in the southern portion near Highway 101. The Westside neighborhood transitions from single unit to duplex to multi-unit housing as it moves west to east towards the City’s urban center and Highway 101. The Mesa neighborhood is predominately single-unit housing with a commercial center dividing the Mesa into East Mesa and West Mesa. The San Roque and Samarkand neighborhoods primarily consist of single-unit housing and are located near the Upper State Street district. The Downtown area is dominated by commercial buildings and denser multi-unit housing. The West Beach neighborhood consists of dense multi-unit housing alongside motels and hotels.
Figure 1: Housing Stock Neighborhoods Surveyed
TENURE AND VACANCY RATES
According to ACS 2015-2019 estimates, the owner occupancy rate in the City of Santa Barbara is significantly lower than in Santa Barbara County. Approximately 40.7 percent of households own their homes in the City whereas approximately 52.1 percent of households own their homes in the County.
This indicates that the City continues to be a prominent place for renter occupied households.
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Table 11: Existing Households by Tenure
City of Santa Barbara vs Santa Barbara County
TENURE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA
PERCENT SANTA BARBARA
COUNTY
PERCENT
Owner Occupied 15,180 40.7% 75,945 52.1%
Renter Occupied 22,153 59.3% 69,911 47.9%
Total Households 37,333 100% 145,856 100%
2015-2019 ACS, Table B25003
Table 12 shows the housing type mix for the County and City in 2006 to 2010 compared to 2015 to 2019. In the City, while multi-unit housing types have been steadily increasing, the breakdown in unit type has been very consistent over the last 20 years (i.e., about 55 percent single-units, 15 percent two to four units, 29 percent five or more units, and one percent mobile home and other), reflecting the City’s age and historic development patterns. The five-year ACS data presented in Table 10 is based on 60 months of collected data. The unit numbers do not necessarily match the housing unit data the City provides annually to the State Department of Housing and Community Development, which is based on number of housing permits issued.
Table 12: Housing Units by Type‐Change Over Time
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
HOUSING TYPE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY 2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE 2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE
One-unit, detached 18,185 18,984 4.4% 89,468 91,003 1.7% One-unit, attached 3,437 2,843 -17.3% 10,154 10,641 4.8% 2 units 2,191 2,452 11.9% 5,080 4,946 -2.6%
3 or 4 units 3,254 3,143 -3.4% 9,859 9,575 -2.9%
5 to 9 units 3,493 3,803 8.9% 11,612 11,826 1.8%
10 to 19 units 3,488 3,287 -5.8% 8,942 8,951 0.1%
20 or more units 3,749 5,096 35.9% 9,467 13,271 40.2%
Mobile home 372 324 -12.9% 7,660 6,875 -10.2%
Boat, RV, van, etc.4 22 0 -100.0% 139 73 -47.5%
Total Units 38,191 39,932 4.6% 152,381 157,161 3.1%
2006-2010 and 2015-2019 ACS, Table DP-4
4Staff has been unable to determine why boat, recreational vehicle, and van housing types were reported as decreasing from 22 in 2006-2010 to zero in 2015-2019.
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The total number of housing units have increased in both the City and County over the two five-year spans (2006 to 2010 and 2015 to 2019). The total number of units increased by a slightly higher rate in the City than in the County (4.6 percent vs. 3.1 percent).
Table 13: Occupancy Status
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
HOUSING
UNITS
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE 2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE
Occupied 35,335 37,333 5.7% 141,793 145,856 2.9%
Vacant 2,856 2,599 -8.9% 10,588 11,305 6.8%
Total Units 38,191 39,932 4.6% 152,381 157,161 3.1%
2006-2010 and 2015-2019 ACS, Table B25002
The City and County have similar vacancy rates (6.5 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively from the 2015 to 2019 data) among existing housing units. Based on comparisons between the two five-year spans (2006 to 2010 and 2015 to 2019), both the City’s and County’s number of occupied housing units has increased (5.7 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively). While the City’s number of vacant housing units has decreased (8.9 percent), the County’s number of vacant housing units has increased (6.8 percent). For the purposes of this analysis, housing units may be deemed “vacant” for a variety of reasons, which are shown in in Table 14 and further discussed below.
Table 14: Housing Stock by Type of Vacancy
City of Santa Barbara vs. Santa Barbara County
TYPE OF
VACANCY
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE 2006‐2010 2015‐2019 CHANGE
For Rent 606 386 -36.3% 2,479 1,872 -24.5%
Rented, Not
Occupied
546 218 -60.1% 1,290 797 -38.2%
For Sale Only 251 98 -60.9% 1,243 613 -50.7%
Sold, Not
Occupied
60 66 10% 356 488 37.1%
For Seasonal,
Recreational, or
Occasional Use
975 1,067 9.4% 2,960 4,088 38.1%
For Migrant
Workers
0 0 0% 4 208 5,100%
All Other Vacants 418 764 82.8% 2,256 3,239 43.8%
Total 2,856 2,599 -8.9% 10,588 11,305 6.8%
2006-2010 and 2015-2019 ACS, Table B25004
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The ACS definitions of vacancy are as follows:
For rent: “Vacant units offered for rent and vacant units listed for rent or for sale”. Rented, not occupied: “Vacant units that have been rented (i.e., compensation has been paid or agreed upon) but where the renter has not yet moved in”. For sale only: “Vacant units offered for sale only (i.e., does not include vacant units that are listed for sale or for rent)”.
Sold, not occupied: “Vacant units that have been sold but where the new owner has not yet moved in”.
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use: “Vacant units used or intended for use part time or occasional use throughout the year. This includes units used seasonally or recreationally, such as second or non-primary housing units, and timeshares”. For migrant workers: Vacant units designated for migrant workers (not specifically defined by the ACS).
All other vacants: “Vacant units that don’t fall into any of the categories above. This can include units held vacant for personal or family reasons, units requiring or undergoing repair, corporate housing, units held for use by a caretaker or janitor, units subject to legal proceedings, units being kept vacant for a future sale, etc.” The reasons for housing stock vacancy in both the City and the County were relatively diverse. That being said, units for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use made up the highest percentage of vacant units in both the City and the County, although that type of vacancy made up a higher percentage of total vacant units in the City than in the County (approximately 41.1 percent vs. 36.2 percent from the 2015 to 2019 data). Over the two five-years spans (2006 to 2010 and 2015 to 2019), both the City’s and County’s “For Rent”, “Rented, Not Occupied”, and “For Sale Only” vacancy types have decreased. The City’s and County’s “Sold, Not Occupied”, “For Seasonal, Recreational, or Occasional Use”, and “All Other Vacants” vacancy types have increased. The City’s “For Migrants Workers” vacancy type had no change, while the County’s increased significantly.
Household Characteristics
HOUSEHOLD GROWTH TRENDS 1990‐2019
Table 15 shows that between 1990 and 2000, the number of City households increased by 1,257, representing a slight annual increase of 0.4 percent. The 2010 Census reported a net loss of 156 households in the City between 2000 and 2010. The 2015-2019 ACS estimated the number of households in the City to be 37,333, an average annual increase of 0.97 percent since 2010. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 15: Household Growth Trends (1990‐2019)
City of Santa Barbara
YEAR HOUSEHOLDS NUMERICAL CHANGE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE CHANGE 1990 34,348
2000 35,605 1,257 0.4%
2010 35,449 -156 -0.04%
2015-2019 37,333 1,884 0.6%
1990, 2000, 2010 Census, 2015-2019 Census ACS, Table B25003 Housing Affordability
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRITERIA
State law establishes six income categories for purposes of designated housing programs based on the area (i.e., county) median income (“AMI”).
Acutely Low (15 percent or less of AMI)5
Extremely Low (16-30 percent of AMI)
Very Low (31-50 percent of AMI)
Low (51-80 percent of AMI)
Moderate (81-120 percent of AMI)
Above Moderate (over 120 percent of AMI)
Acutely and extremely low-income households are subsets of the very low-income households as it relates to RHNA and are defined as 30 percent of AMI and below. In addition to these categories, the City has identified “Middle-Income” (121-160 percent AMI) and “Upper-Middle” (161-200 percent AMI) in recognition of the high housing costs in the South Coast area. These income categories are used in the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance for ownership units to meet the needs of these households, which are typically not met with traditional local or state density bonus programs of government tax incentives.
Housing affordability is based on the relationship between household income and housing expenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HCD, housing is considered “affordable” if the monthly payment is no more than 30 percent of a household’s gross income. In some areas, these income limits may be increased to adjust for high housing costs.
Table 16 shows 2022 affordable rent levels and estimated affordable purchase prices for housing in Santa Barbara County by income category. This data comes from the State of California specifically for the Santa Maria–Santa Barbara MSA for the purposes of designated programs to determine applicant eligibility (based on the level of household income) and may be used to calculate affordable housing 5 Per 2021 state law (AB 1043 [2021]). State Income Limits apply to designated programs and are used to determine applicant eligibility (based on the level of household income) and may be used to calculate affordable housing costs for applicable housing assistance programs.
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costs for applicable housing assistance programs. In our area, the low-income limits are adjusted because of unusually high housing-cost-to-income relationship6. Maximum purchase prices are more difficult to determine due to variations in mortgage interest rates and qualifying procedures, down payments, special tax assessments, homeowner association fees, property insurance rates, etc. With this caveat, the maximum home purchase prices by income category shown in Table 16 have been estimated based on typical conditions.
Table 16: Income Categories and Affordable Housing Costs Santa Barbara County
2022 COUNTY MEDIAN
INCOME = $100,100
INCOME LIMITS AFFORDABLE
RENT1
AFFORDABLE
PRICE
(ESTIMATED)1
Acutely Low (15% and below) $15,015 $375 -
Extremely Low (16-30%) $41,900 $1,048 $85,100
Very Low (31-50%) $69,850 $1,746 $221,600
Low (51-80%) $111,900 $2,798 $427,600
Moderate (81-120%) $120,120 $3,003 $467,700
Above Moderate (>120%) >$120,120 >$3,003 >$467,700
Source: HCD State Income Levels for 2022, 5/13/22
Based on a four-person household
1Equal to 30% of gross income for rent or mortgage principle/interest/taxes/insurance (PITI) EXTREMELY LOW‐INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
State housing law requires a quantification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs of extremely low-income (ELI) households as a subset of the very low-income group, defined as households with income 30 percent or less of Area Median Income (AMI). AMI, as established by HUD, corresponds to the income for a four-person household. According to the 2022 Income Limits published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, a four-person household with an annual income of $41,900 or less is considered an extremely low-income household. ELI households have a variety of housing needs. Many families and individuals who receive public assistance, social security insurance, or disability insurance benefits are considered extremely lowincome households. In addition, employed households earning 30 percent or less of the AMI are also considered ELI.
According to the HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data (2015-2019 ACS), the City had approximately 4,860 ELI owner and renter households, representing approximately 13 percent of all households. Of these 4,860 ELI households, 1,065 (21.9 percent) are owner households and 3,795 (78.1 percent) are renter households. Approximately 75 percent of ELI owners and 73 percent of ELI renters were reported to be overpaying for housing (cost burden greater than 30 percent 6An area’s income limit is adjusted due to high housing costs if 85 percent of the area’s annual 2 bedroom fair market rent is greater than 35 percent of the US median income.
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of household income). Furthermore, approximately 69 percent of ELI owners and 67 percent of ELI renters are severely cost burdened (cost burden greater than 50 percent of household income). Many ELI households also face other housing problems, such as overcrowded living conditions and/or living without complete kitchen or plumbing facilities.
Existing Needs
The City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for allocating federal HUD formula grants includes an analysis of ELI household problems and needs. The Plan includes an assessment of ELI households that are experiencing one or more housing problems/severe housing problems, defined as:
1. Lacks complete kitchen facilities.
2. Lacks complete plumbing facilities.
3. More than one person per room/more than 1.5 persons per room (severe).
4. Cost burden greater than 30 percent/cost burden exceeds 50 percent (severe).
The analysis shows that 86 percent of ELI households have at least one of four housing problems, and 79 percent of all ELI households have a severe housing problem. The analysis also reviewed the need of any racial or ethnic group that has a disproportionately greater need in comparison to the needs of that category as a whole and found that for ELI households, no single racial/ethnic group experiences a disproportionately7 high rate of need relative to the City as a whole.
The major obstacles to meeting the needs of ELI households include the high and sustained demand for public services, as well as the lack of funding. During the last 12 years, the City’s CDBG allocation has dropped by 26 percent and the HOME allocation by 33 percent. These cuts, along with the state’s elimination of Redevelopment Agencies, with no subsequent replacement, are the main obstacles to meeting underserved needs.
Projected Needs
To determine the projected housing needs for ELI households, the City assumed that 50 percent of the 2,147 very low-income RHNA units (1,073 units) are for ELI households. As discussed previously, ELI households typically experience overpayment, overcrowding, or substandard housing. In addition, some of these households may have physical and mental disabilities, which require special housing needs.
Resources
To address the array of housing needs for ELI households, the City continues to fund and promote affordable housing opportunities for its special needs population. Financial assistance is provided via the Low and Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund (LMIHAF), which has expended a total of 47 percent of the fund for development of rental housing affordable to ELI households since 2016. In addition, the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program formula grants allocated to the City are prioritized to the needs of the lowest income residents, based on the assumption that due to the extremely high cost of rental and ownership housing, they are at greatest risk of displacement, homelessness, or other serious housing situations. 7 According to HUD, disproportionate need occurs when a household category has a level of need that is at least 10 percentage points higher than the level of need of all households in a particular income category. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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In Program Year 2021, 1,950 ELI persons were served by CDBG and HOME funds where information of income by family size is required to determine eligibility.
According to the CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan, the City helped prevent low-income individuals and families with children (especially those with incomes below 30 percent of median) from becoming homeless through continued support of programs such as the Rental Housing Mediation Program, Fair Housing Enforcement Program, Legal Aid, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), and Transition House, all of which have substantial programs to assist in homeless prevention. Transition House offers a homelessness prevention program to assist very low-income households increase their earning potential and improve their household finance management. The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program rehabilitates substandard multi-family buildings and implements affordability controls. The Rental Housing Mediation program assists and/or mediates disputes between tenants and landlords to prevent the possibility of displacement/homelessness. The Fair Housing Enforcement Program investigates reported cases of housing discrimination and educates the public on housing rights and responsibilities.
Legal Aid provides legal services regarding uninhabitable residences, evictions, and unlawful detainers.
PATH coordinates with Cottage Hospital to receive homeless individuals who need respite beds.
In addition, the City contracted with SB ACT to establish a citywide collaboration between homeless service providers; elected representatives; community leaders; and advocacy groups, which is intended to prevent duplication of effort and better serve homeless individuals, families and persons at risk of homelessness. One of the workgroups facilitated by SB ACT is a homelessness-prevention workgroup.
Non-entitlement resources the City makes available to, or are received by the City’s partners to meet ELI needs include:
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara:
o Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 2,869 units/households, 75 percent serving ELI households.
o Workforce Housing: 200 units/households, 60 percent serving ELI households. o Senior Housing: 630 units/households, 63 percent serving ELI households. o Supportive Housing: 189 units/households, 88 percent serving ELI households. Continuum of Care Funds: The City is a partner in the County’s Continuum of Care. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits: The federal four percent and nine percent tax credit is the principal source of funding for construction of affordable rental housing. General Fund: The City budget commits approximately $700,000 in Human Services Grants annually from the General Fund for programs that provide basic human needs, such as food and shelter, and programs that are preventative in nature. Permanent Local Housing Allocation: The City commits state funds to support street outreach services to persons experiencing homelessness, and to support the Rental Housing Mediation Program.
Smaller units can be one strategy to meet the needs of single ELI households. In 2004, the state Building Code was amended to reduce the size requirement for single room occupancy (SRO) units to a minimum of 150 square feet to facilitate their construction. The City’s Municipal Code allows small 2023-2031 Housing Element
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units, including 150 square feet ADUs and Junior ADUs (maximum 500 square feet) that would function similar to SROs, and possibly meet the needs of some ELI households. To date, units of that size are rarely proposed or included in housing projects. Goals, policies, and programs intended to address the housing needs of all income levels, including ELI households, are included as part of this Housing Element. In addition to continuing the City’s partnerships and existing support for the resources and programs listed above, consistent funding for affordable housing is one of the greatest needs, which is reflected in Program HE-31 Secure Permanent Affordable Housing Funding.
HOUSING CHALLENGES
Overcrowding
The U.S. Census has no official definition of a crowded unit but considers an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or more per room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens). Units with more than
1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded. Overcrowding can serve as an indicator that a community does not have an adequate supply of affordable housing and/or lacks housing units of adequate size to meet the need of large households. Overcrowding can also result when high housing costs relative to income force too many individuals or families to share housing. Overcrowding can accelerate deterioration of the housing stock and associated infrastructure.
Table 17 indicates that approximately eight percent of the City’s occupied housing units were considered overcrowded. Overcrowding was more common among renters (12 percent) than for owners (one percent). About 4.8 percent of renter households reported severe overcrowding.
Table 17: Overcrowded Households by Tenure
City of Santa Barbara
HOUSING
TYPE
OWNER RENTER TOTAL
Person per room Households Percent Households Percent Households Percent
1.00 or fewer 14,995 98.78% 19,393 87.55% 34,388 92.11%
1.01 to 1.50 135 0.90% 1,695 7.65% 1,830 4.90%
1.51 or more 50 0.32% 1,065 4.80% 1,115 2.99%
Total 15,180 100% 22,153 100% 37,333 100%
% Overcrowded
by Tenure 185 1.20% 2,760 12.45% 2,945 7.88%
2015-2019 ACS, Table B25014
According to the City’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice8 (2020), many residents and stakeholders (i.e., organizations that provide housing and human services, fair housing enforcement and advocacy, services to residents with disabilities, residents in poverty, workforce development, and transportation) who were engaged in interviews and focus groups described situations of extreme overcrowding in the City—stemming from the shortage of affordable, appropriately sized units. In many 8 The City, as a recipient of Community Development Block Grant funds, is required to complete an assessment of fair housing, known as an Analysis of Impediments, or AI.
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cases families are sharing a single room and individuals are renting what stakeholders described as “closets” for hundreds of dollars per month.
Overpayment
A household is considered to be overpaying for housing (or cost burdened) if it spends more than 30 percent of its gross income on housing. Severe housing cost burden occurs when a household pays more than 50 percent of its income on housing. The prevalence of overpayment varies significantly by income, tenure, household type, and household size. For lower-income renters, severe cost burden can require families to double up, resulting in overcrowding and related problems.
RENTER HOUSEHOLDS OVERPAYING
The HUD Comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy (CHAS) data source estimates the percentage of household income paid for rent by total household income. High rents in the City have the most significant negative effect on lower-income households. As shown in Table 18, 50 percent of renter households are cost burdened and 26 percent of all renters have a severe cost burden. Among lowerincome renters, overpayment was estimated to affect 77 percent of households.
This information is especially somber when one considers that the City estimates that 14 percent of the housing stock is publicly subsidized. According to the City’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (2020), 70 percent of renters worry about their rent going up to a level they can’t afford and 70 percent want to buy a house but are unable to afford it. Renters are also concerned about landlord behavior: 31 percent said they worry if they request a repair their rent will go up or they will be evicted.
Low-income respondents (those with household incomes below $25,000) are particularly concerned about costs (rising rents and struggles to pay rent/mortgage) as well as overcrowding (units not large enough for their family).
Table 18: Cost Burden By Tenure And Income Category
City of Santa Barbara
CATEGORY EXTREMELY
LOW
VERY
LOW
LOW MODERATE ABOVE
MODERATE
TOTAL TOTAL
LOWER‐
INCOME
OVERPAYING
Ownership
Households 905 950 1,515 950 10,770 15,090 3,370
Paying Over
30% 710 675 745 460 2,260 4,850 2,130
Percent 78.5% 71.1% 49.2% 48.4% 21% 32.1% 63.2%
Paying Over
50% 625 535 470 255 630 2,515 1,630
Percent 69.1% 56.3% 31% 26.8% 5.8% 16.7% 48.4%
Renter
Households 3,490 2,710 3,970 2,330 9,110 21,610 10,170
Paying Over
30% 2,575 2,105 3,175 1,395 1,695 10,945 7,855
Percent 73.8% 77.7% 80% 59.9% 18.6% 50.6% 77.2%
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CATEGORY EXTREMELY
LOW
VERY
LOW
LOW MODERATE ABOVE
MODERATE
TOTAL TOTAL
LOWER‐
INCOME
OVERPAYING
Paying Over
50% 2,370 1,600 1,230 170 185 5,555 5,200
Percent 67.9% 59% 31% 7.3% 2% 25.7% 51.1%
HUD CHAS Dataset, 2014-2018 ACS
OWNER HOUSEHOLDS OVERPAYING
The picture is also troubling for many who live in owner-occupied housing in the City. Overall, about 32 percent of owner-occupied households are cost burdened and 17 percent of all owners have a severe cost burden. An estimated 63 percent of lower-income households are overpaying for housing ownership.
COASTAL ZONE HOUSING
State law requires jurisdictions within Coastal Zone boundaries to review coastal zone affordable housing obligations including the preservation of existing units affordable to low- and moderate-income households and, where feasible, to include low- and moderate-income housing in new development.
The following information is provided per Government Code § 65588(d):
Since January 1982, 234 new housing units have been approved for construction in the City’s Coastal Zone, including 72 accessory dwelling units. 24 units for low- and moderate-income households were required to be provided as a result of projects approved either within the Coastal Zone or within three miles of it. 18 units were occupied by low- and moderate-income households and were authorized to be demolished or converted in the Coastal Zone since January 1, 1982. 1 unit for low- and moderate-income households was required either within the Coastal Zone or within three miles, in order to replace those being demolished or converted.
The City’s Coastal Land Use Plan (LUP) allows increased densities for affordable housing proposals using density bonus, inclusionary housing, or lot area modification, as long as the development is found consistent with the policies of the Coastal LUP. Furthermore, the City’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance was locally adopted and certified by the Coastal Commission for use in the Coastal Zone.
Policies and programs to protect and provide affordable housing in the City (including the Coastal Zone) are provided in the Goals, Policies, and Programs section.
Assessment of “At Risk” Assisted Units
Section 65583(a)(9) of the Government Code requires that the Housing Element include an analysis of existing assisted housing at-risk of changing to non-low-income housing uses during the next 10 years and, if necessary, the development of programs to preserve or replace those assisted housing units. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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AT‐RISK AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING
Except for public housing and other Housing Authority units, the City does not own any affordable housing units. In return for the financial assistance the City provides, the developer/owners of the City’s affordable rental housing stock are required to make the units affordable to low-income households for a specified period of time. The City provides most of its financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations, since few for-profit firms have approached the City for assistance in building affordable housing. Regardless of whether they are for profit or nonprofit, all developer/owners of affordable housing units sign affordability covenants that specify allowable rent and income levels for the project.
Upon expiration of a project’s affordability controls, the affordable units are at risk of being sold or converted to market rate housing. Based on a review of the City’s records, the 80 affordable rental housing units listed below in Table 19 have affordability controls that will expire during the next 10 years (2023 through 2033).
Table 19: Projects With Affordable Rental Housing At Risk (2023‐2033) City of Santa Barbara
ADDRESS OWNER
AFFORDABLE
UNITS/INCOME
LEVEL
FUNDING
SOURCES1
EARLIEST
EXP.
DATE
1104 Carpinteria
Street Borgatello 2/Moderate Zoning Mod 2023
47 Broadmoor Plaza Santa Barbara Community
Housing Corporation (SBCHC) 15/Low RDA 2023
107 E Micheltorena PathPoint 11/Low CDBG 2024
1409 Castillo Street SBCHC 14/Low CDBG/RDA 2024
125 W Anapamu Sanctuary Psychiatric Ctrs of
Santa Barbara 27/Low RDA/CDBG 2025
429 Stanley DeVore 1/Low Zoning Mod 2025
1511 Bath Smagala 2/Low RDA 2026
1610 Cliff Berenstein Family Trust 1/Low Zoning Mod 2027 2044 Chino Lugo 1/Low Zoning Mod 2028
816 Vine HASB 6/Low CDBG 2028
Total: 10 Projects 80 Units
City of Santa Barbara 2022
1CDBG stands for the federal Community Development Block Grant Program; RDA stands for the City’s Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside funds; Zoning Mod does not stand for any source of funding, but rather for lot area modification that were granted in return for dedication of affordable housing units.
As indicated in the Assessment of Conversion Risk section below, nonprofit owners are considerably more likely than for-profit owners to maintain affordable housing units beyond the expiration of affordability controls. Only seven (8.8 percent) of the 80 at-risk affordable rental units are owned by forprofit owners. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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AT‐RISK AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP HOUSING
The City also requires affordable ownership housing opportunities in certain cases, such as conversion of apartments to condominiums, for mostly moderate-income households. Most of the early ownership projects were developed by two nonprofit organizations, Homes for People and Santa Barbara Community Housing Corporation, with financial assistance from the City and its Redevelopment Agency. Covenants on units in these projects were typically 30-year covenants. Since then, affordability periods for ownership units were extended to 90 years. Should the owner sell before the 30-year term concluded, then the next owner would sign on for a new 90-year covenant.
Listed below in Table 20 are 19 ownership projects in which covenants for 119 individual affordable ownership units could expire during the next ten years (2023-2033); the covenants for the remaining 94 units in the 19 projects will not expire until later (since these units were sold to new qualifying homeowners before the end of their affordability period). It is possible that owners in some of the 119 units with expiring covenants may end up selling before the end of their affordability period, which would trigger an additional period of affordability up to a maximum of 90 years.
Most of the new affordable ownership housing projects are currently built by for-profit developers without financial assistance from the City or its Successor Housing Entity to the Redevelopment Agency, pursuant to the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requirements (Title 30, Chapter 30.160) and Density Bonus incentives (Title 30, Chapter 30.145).
Table 20: Projects With Affordable Ownership Housing At Risk (2023‐2033) City of Santa Barbara
ADDRESS AT RISK
UNITS
TOTAL
UNITS
FUNDING
SOURCES1
EARLIEST
EXP. DATE
2001-11 Elise Way - Maravillas 2/Moderate 3 RDA 2022
3708-3773 Greggory Way - Franciscan Villas 14/Moderate 33 Zoning Mod 2023 1838 San Andres Street - Pinecone 5/Moderate 5 RDA 2023 33 Ocean View Avenue - Pueblo Andaluz 8/Moderate 10 RDA 2023 1920 Robbins Street - Robbins Court 5/Moderate 6 Zoning Mod 2023 211 W. Gutierrez St. - El Zoco 7/Moderate 16 RDA 2024
3902-3930 Vía Diego/402-432 Vía Rosa - La
Colina Village 15/Moderate 25 Zoning Mod 2024
1019 Quinientos St. - La Ventura 7/Moderate 9 RDA 2024
831 W. Anapamu Street - 7 Oaks 4/Moderate 5 Zoning Mod 2025 414 W. De la Guerra St. - Casa Chula 1/Moderate 3 RDA 2025 802-1141 Westmont Rd. - Las Barrancas 14/Moderate 41 n/a 2026 3558-3578 Modoc Rd. - Arroyo Verde 2/Moderate 8 Zoning Mod 2027 1024-1030 Quinientos/2-12 S. - Voluntario
St. - Campos Feliz 4/Moderate 8 RDA 2027
3800-3839 La Cumbre Hills Ln. - La Cumbre
Hills 19/Middle 22 Zoning Mod 2027
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ADDRESS AT RISK
UNITS
TOTAL
UNITS
FUNDING
SOURCES1
EARLIEST
EXP. DATE
2014-2016 Modoc/2041-2051 Oak Avenue -
Oak Creek 2/Moderate 4 RDA 2027
315 W. Los Olivos St. - Los Olivos Village 6/Moderate 9 RDA 2028 417 W. Anapamu St. - Villa Anapamu 1/Moderate 2 RDA 2028 915, 917 Bath Street - Old Vic 1/Moderate 2 RDA 2032
329 W. Ortega Street - Ortega Homes 2/Moderate 2 RDA 2031 Total: 19 Projects 119 Units 213 Units
City of Santa Barbara 2022
1Zoning Mod does not stand for any source of funding, but rather for modifications to the City’s zoning code that were granted in return for the dedication of affordable housing units; RDA stands for the City’s Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside funds.
AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS WITH EXPIRED AFFORDABILITY
COVENANTS
Table 21 below lists 10 projects with a total of 44 units where affordability covenants expired since the City’s last Housing Element Update (from 2015 through 2022). In 2010, the City changed its policies to extend the affordability period for rental projects from 60 to 90 years.
Table 21: Affordable Rental Housing With Expired Affordability Covenants (2015‐2022) City of Santa Barbara
PROJECT UNITS STATUS
1409 Kenwood Road 1 Covenant with the City of Santa Barbara expired in 2015 1426 Euclid Avenue 1 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2017 1215 Cacique Street 5 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2019 811-815 Salsipuedes Street 13 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2018 821 Bath Street 12
Covenant with the nonprofit Community Housing
Corporation expired in 2020; however, loan terms are being renegotiated and the affordability terms will be extended 432 W. Valerio 2 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2021 114 La Paz 2 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2021 1306 Garden Street 4 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2021 1910-1912 Robbins Street 2 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2021 222 Meigs Road 2 Covenant with a private owner expired in 2022 Total Units 44
City of Santa Barbara 2022
MONITORING AT‐RISK AFFORDABLE UNITS
All affordable housing units are monitored throughout the affordability period established as part of their recorded affordability covenants. No later than 12 months prior to the expiration of an affordability 2023-2031 Housing Element
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covenant for rental properties, the property owner is contacted to discuss and identify ways to extend the affordability period. For ownership projects, the City sometimes offers rehabilitation funds in exchange for extended affordability covenants; however, the City cannot unilaterally extend ownership covenants. In the case of rental projects, the affordability term can be extended by refinancing the loan agreement. For example, in 2021, the City extended two affordability covenants by an additional 30 years each through loan subordinations. The City encourages the Housing Authority and other nonprofits to acquire units with affordability limits that are due to expire.
If the affordability period is not extended, notices are sent to tenants with information regarding the impending expiration of the affordability period. Tenants are made aware that rents could be raised and are provided information on rules established by State law regarding rent increases, noticing requirements, City rental mediation services, and other affordable housing providers in the area.
ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT COSTS
Because producing new housing in Santa Barbara is very expensive, it can be more cost effective to protect existing covenant-controlled units than build new units. Rents for low-income units simply do not support the conventional financing needed to acquire property and build affordable housing; therefore, deep subsidies are required. Land costs are high, even in areas with high concentrations of low-income households. Nevertheless, the City works closely with nonprofit developers to leverage additional funds and permit as many new units for lower-income households as possible. As noted above, the City works with nonprofits to extend affordability covenants typically by renegotiating 30-year loan terms. In exchange for extending the loan term, the developer is required to extend the affordability covenant.
Costs to the City of preserving units in this manner are difficult to quantify but they include loss of repayment on the loans, deferred interest, or forgiving interest payments.
If the at-risk affordable units were to be replaced by new affordable units, based on new construction figures for the next affordable housing project to be built in the City (29 units at Vera Cruz Village), the cost per unit is $702,413. This amount includes land and building acquisition, construction “hard costs”, contractor and developer fees, and soft costs (i.e., architectural, engineering, financing, permit, and legal fees, etc.). In leveraging other funds, such as tax-exempt bond financing, conventional loans, and contributions from the developer, the City subsidy for affordable housing projects is relatively low. Using the total per unit development cost cited above (without subsidies), it would cost nearly $139 million to replace the 199 at risk units with new units.
ASSESSMENT OF CONVERSION
As enumerated in Table 20 and Table 21 above, there are 10 affordable rental housing projects with 80 at-risk units and 19 affordable ownership housing projects with 119 at-risk units. Affordable rental housing units under for-profit ownership are perceived as being at higher risk of conversion to market rate housing when affordability controls expire. Most of the at-risk affordable rental housing units (91 percent) are owned by nonprofit organizations.
The affordable rental housing units considered at the highest risk of conversion are the remaining seven units that are owned by for-profit firms. Fortunately, two of these seven units (28 percent) are in projects where either tenancy restrictions (such as senior housing) will continue for the life of the project, or the owner actively participates in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (or both). 2023-2031 Housing Element
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The City has taken steps to extend the life of recorded covenants for affordable housing units. As mentioned above, the term for new affordability covenants is now 90 years. The City also works nearly exclusively with nonprofit firms for the creation of its affordable rental housing, which effectively extends the affordability period in perpetuity (or at least for as long as the nonprofit organization is in existence).
The City relies mostly on for-profit firms to create affordable ownership housing through density bonus incentives and inclusionary housing requirements. Covenant terms for ownership units were also extended to 90 years.
QUALIFIED ENTITIES AND RESOURCES TO PRESERVE “AT‐RISK UNITS” The resources needed to preserve at-risk units are typically either 1) funding to purchase existing units or develop replacement units; 2) nonprofits with the intent and ability to purchase and/or manage at-risk units; or 3) programs to provide replacement funding for potentially lost Housing Choice Voucher Program rent subsidies.
Financial Resources for Replacement Housing
The City is proud of its affordable housing record. Since 1973, the City has provided approximately $150 million in grants and loans for the production and preservation of about 4,316 affordable housing units. As detailed below, the City receives affordable housing funds from several sources. The remainder of the funds will be used to continue the City’s strong commitment to providing affordable housing.
THE CITY’S REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HOUSING SET‐ASIDE FUNDS From 1977 to 2012, the largest source of City affordable housing financing was the City's Redevelopment Agency (RDA). As required under state redevelopment law, the RDA dedicated at least 20 percent of its “tax increment” income generated from its downtown redevelopment project area for affordable housing (for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households). Since the City’s Redevelopment Agency began operating in 1977 until the state dissolved the RDA in 2012, the RDA provided $66.1 million in loans and grants of redevelopment funds to approximately 70 affordable housing projects (rentals, ownership, and group/transitional housing) in the City. In June 2011, the California Legislature adopted Assembly Bill 1X26 (the “Dissolution Act”) resulting in the dissolution of all redevelopment agencies in California as of February 1, 2012. The Bill included provisions for the City, in which the agency was located, to assume all right, title, and responsibility for the housing assets of the dissolved agency. In January 2012, the Santa Barbara City Council designated the City of Santa Barbara as the Successor Housing Entity to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Barbara and in November 2012, the City adopted Resolution No. 12-083 and assumed all right, title, and interest in all housing assets of the former Redevelopment Agency.
State law requires unencumbered Housing Asset Funds (HAF) to be used as previously required for monies in the Low and Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund established under the RDA (also known as “set-aside” funds). Subsequent amendments expanded the requirement to include specified types of services within permissible categories of homeless prevention and rapid rehousing.
Since dissolution of the RDA, the City has invested $32.15 million of set-aside funds in 11 affordable housing projects intended to serve seniors/special needs/homeless populations with low-, very low-, and extremely low-income levels. Table 22 lists the affordable housing projects totaling 288 very lowand low-income units. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 22: Affordable Housing Projects Using Set‐Aside Funds City of Santa Barbara (2014 – 2022)
PROJECT STATUS AMOUNT
(MILLIONS) LOW VERYLOW
TOTAL
UNITS
Transition House (Mom’s
Place) - 421-425 E. Cota Completed $1.6 2 14 16
Bradley Studios - 512-518
Bath Street Completed $8.4 0 54 54
Habitat #3 - 822 and 824
Canon Perdido Street Completed $0.93 12 0 12
233 W. Ortega/630 Bath Street Completed $0.30 2 4 6
2904 State Street Completed $1.15 8 0 8
Jardin de las Rosas - 510 –
520 N. Salsipuedes Completed $2.0 39 0 39
Grace Village - 3869 State St. Completed $0.50 57 0 57
Presidio Park Apartments -
420 E. De La Guerra St. Completed $11.19 49 0 49
Johnson Court - 813 E.
Carrillo St. Completed $2.00 0 16 16
817 N. Salsipuedes St. Completed $0.53 3 0 3
Vera Cruz Village - 110-116 E.
Cota St. Completed $3.55 2 26 28
Total $32.15 174 114 288
City of Santa Barbara 2022
FEDERAL HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM FUNDS The City is a Participating Jurisdiction under the HOME Program and has received funding since the inception of the program in 1992. Since 2018, annual allocations have remained relatively steady at approximately $500,000. By law, HOME funds must be spent on producing or preserving housing or providing tenant-based rental assistance for low- and very low-income households.
FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
The City is a CDBG Entitlement Jurisdiction and receives an annual allotment of funds accordingly.
Since 2018, this annual funding has also remained relatively steady at approximately $900,000. The funds must benefit low- and very low-income individuals. The City spends most of its CDBG entitlement funds on capital improvements and related social services. As mentioned above, CDBG program income (loan repayments) is used for rehabilitation of nonprofit rental projects.
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly called the Section 8 Program) is a valuable resource that provides housing for low-income and special needs households and helps preserve some at-risk units with long term contracts. Both nonprofit organizations and for-profit firms/owners participate in this program, which is operated by the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara. Under this program, federal funds are used to help low-income households pay rent for both affordable and market rate housing.
There are two housing options, each with their own waiting list: tenant-based vouchers and projectbased vouchers. Tenant-based vouchers allow assisted households to use a voucher at open rental 2023-2031 Housing Element
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market units. Project-based vouchers offer rental housing options at specific locations. Property owners receive direct payments equal to the difference between the market rent and the tenant’s contribution to the rent (30 percent of household income). There are currently 2,536 Housing Choice Vouchers used in the City (R. Fredericks, City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority, June 2022).
The Housing Authority has an ongoing relationship with the Santa Barbara Rental Property Owners Association whereby they provide free advertisement on the program for landlord outreach on their website and in their monthly magazine. Additionally, the Housing Authority was selected by HUD to be in their innovative Move-To-Work Program under the Landlord Incentives Co-hort. The Housing Authority provides the following incentives to landlords to take advantage of the Housing Choice Voucher Program:
$1,000 for new landlords (who haven’t participated in last five years or a new property); $2,000 mitigation fund for unpaid rent or damages;
Up to 10.5 days vacancy payment (between consecutive Section 8 tenancies); and Security deposit loan program.
Special Housing Needs
Government Code § 65583(a), requires an assessment of housing needs and an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to the meeting of these needs. Per § 65583(a)(7), this section analyzes the needs of seniors, people with disabilities (including developmental disabilities), large families, families with female heads of households, students, farmworkers, and families and persons in need of emergency shelter in the City. These specific groups typically encounter more difficulty in finding decent, affordable housing due to special circumstances. Special needs may be related to one’s employment type and income, family characteristics, medical condition or disability, or household characteristics.
These households may require special accommodations, such as on-site supportive services, unique building design, or spatial accommodations. Special considerations should be taken to ensure adequate housing for seniors, single parent households, people with disabilities, people living below the poverty line, students, and people experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, many of these groups overlap. For instance, many seniors live with a disability, and many single mothers are homeless.
Generally, these groups would be assisted by an increase in affordable housing, especially housing located near public transportation and services.
Consolidated Action Plan
The City of Santa Barbara prepared a 2020–2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan (Consolidated Action Plan) to comply with HUD’s federal block grant funding requirements. The Consolidated Action Plan identifies overall housing and community development needs for the City. In addition to the data used in this section, the Consolidated Action Plan was used to determine housing needs and goals.
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SENIORS
The number of elderly persons as a percentage of total U.S. population is expected to continue to increase over the coming decades due to the aging “Baby Boom” generation, lower birth rates in recent years, and longer life expectancies. In 2019, the national population aged 65 or older numbered 54.1 million, or 16 percent of total population. The number of older Americans has increased by 14.4 million (or 36 percent) since 2009, compared to an increase of three percent for the under-65 population (Administration for Community Living, 2020 Profile of Older Americans, May 2021).
Housing affordability is an important consideration for older residents, as they typically live on fixed incomes. Persons aged 65 and older often have special needs related to housing, such as particular construction and location requirements to facilitate mobility and access. For instance, they may require ramps, handrails, lower cabinets, and counters to allow greater access and mobility. In addition, due to limited mobility, seniors need close proximity and access to public facilities (e.g., medical and shopping) as well as public transit. Housing for this age group is often constructed at higher densities and typically consists of one- and two-bedroom apartment units.
According to the 2015 to 2019 ACS, nearly 19 percent of the City’s 91,376 population was age 65 years or older. Based on that, the percentage of residents 65 years and older is estimated to have increased from 14.2 percent in 2006 to 2010 to 18.6 percent in 2015 to 2019.
Table 23: City Population by Age
AGE 2006 ‐2010 PERCENT 2015 ‐ 2019 PERCENT
Up to 64 Years 75,837 86% 74,318 81%
65 Years + 12,573 14.2% 17,058 18.6%
Total 88,410 91,376
2015 - 2019 ACS, Table DP05
The City has a greater share of residents over the age of 65 (18.6 percent) compared to Santa Barbara County (14.9 percent) and California as a whole (14.8 percent).
As a special needs group, the elderly are in some respects unique. According to the 2015 to 2019 ACS, the majority of elderly households in the City are homeowners, representing 61.9 percent of all elderly households.
Table 24: Elderly Householders by Tenure and Age
HOUSEHOLDER
AGE
OWNERS RENTERS TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS
65 – 74 Years 3,600 2,309 5,909
75 Plus Years 3,191 1,864 5,055
Total 6,791 4,173 10,964
2015 – 2019 ACS, Table B25007
This is a high rate of ownership for a population comprising about 19 percent of the total population in the City. However, of elderly homeowners, 1,039 households pay more than 30 percent of their monthly 2023-2031 Housing Element
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income on housing costs, and 770 households pay more than 50 percent of their monthly income on housing costs (2011- 2015 CHAS). Senior households may be less able to cope with increasing housing costs (rents for renters and property taxes for owners) as they are more likely to be living on a fixed retirement income. Most seniors desire to age in place but may need accessibility modifications as they age and may need additional support services in order to properly maintain their home and property. Many may also require transportation services and easy access to health services and home health care options and support related to aging in place such as home modification, home repair, and assistance with maintenance.
Resources
In the City of Santa Barbara, there are three continuing care retirement communities for the elderly with a capacity for 1,192 persons and 19 residential care facilities with a capacity for 529 persons. The City's Human Services and CDBG programs allocate grants to support local nonprofit organizations that provide services to low- and moderate-income seniors, including those with disabilities. Table 25 provides a partial listing of these organizations.
Table 25: Community Development Block Grant Recipients
ORGANIZATION SERVICES
Foodbank Older Adult Nutrition Program
(formerly known as Brownbag Program) Home food delivery for low-income seniors Family Services Agency
Long Term Care Ombudsman to advocate for the rights of
residents in skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Senior Services free case management and support for people 60 and older or those caring for older residents
Area Agency on Aging (Central Coast
Commission for Senior Citizens)
Programs that promote health, dignity, and well-being of older adults. Produces the Senior Resource Directory. One member on the Board of Directors is recommended by Santa Barbara City Council.
Friendship Adult Day Care Center
Classes and programs for seniors and dependent adults with Alzheimer's/dementia/other health conditions of aging and their family caregivers
City Parks and Recreation Senior
Programs
Exercise programs and classes at the Carrillo Recreation Center and Louise Lowry Davis Center
Center for Successful Aging Provides peer counseling and support programs Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels Delivers meals to those who might otherwise go without, due to the inability to shop or cook for themselves.
Housing Authority Provides multiple affordable housing opportunities for seniors, and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Persons with disabilities have special housing needs and face unique problems in obtaining affordable and adequate housing. Persons with disabilities often have particular requirements due to accessibility issues, fixed or lower-income and high health care costs. There are different types and levels of disabilities, including physical (mobility impairments, sight impairments, hearing impairments or speech impediments), mental, and developmental disabilities. Because of this broad range of types of disabilities, identifying and meeting housing needs is challenging.
Individuals with disabilities require conveniently located housing in close proximity to transit, retail, and commercial services, as well as their place of employment. Housing adapted for wheelchair accessibility, ramps, lower sinks, grip bars, wider doorways, etc., is required for the physically disabled. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Making a new or existing dwelling unit accessible requires different features depending on the type of disability. The Fair Housing Act requires buildings with four or more new units to meet accessibility requirements. All federally assisted new housing projects with five or more units must design and construct five percent of the units, or at least one unit, to be accessible for persons with mobility disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires public and common use areas in housing developments to be accessible to persons with disabilities. However, housing developments built prior to the Fair Housing Act (after March 13, 1991) or prior to ADA rarely include accessible features and some of these units can be difficult to retrofit.
Another serious problem that people with disabilities face is one of housing affordability. The cost of housing in Santa Barbara and the low-income status of most people with disabilities make it difficult to find housing. For many of the disabled population, the only source of income is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Given this limited income, rent often accounts for a major portion of their monthly expenses. Therefore, a variety of housing types, both rental and ownership, should be made available for this segment of the population.
The total civilian noninstitutionalized population of persons aged 18 to 64 is 58,559. Of those, seven percent (4,151 persons) have a disability. Chart 1 (2015-2019 ACS, Table C18120) shows persons with a disability by employment status. About four percent (2,075 persons) of non-institutionalized persons in the total labor force of 48,608 persons (i.e., employed or unemployed and actively looking for work/available for work) stated that they had a disability, while 20 percent not in the labor force had a disability.
CHART 1: NONINSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS Persons aged five to 64 represent 51 percent (4,602 persons) of the total disabled population of 9,057 persons. The most frequently reported disabilities in this age group were cognitive (54 percent), ambulatory (30 percent), and independent living difficulty (28 percent) (Chart 2). For seniors (age 65+), representing 49 percent of the disabled population (4,455 persons), the most frequently reported disabilities are ambulatory (52 percent), independent living difficulty (49 percent), and hearing (44 percent) (Chart 3). It is important to note that totals in Charts 2 and 3 may exceed 100 percent due to 4%
9%
20%
96%
91%
80%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Employed Unemployed Not in Labor Force
Percent of Labor Force
With a disability No disability
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multiple disabilities per person. Data for Chart 2 and 3 is sourced from the 2015-2019 ACS, Table S1810.
CHART 2: PERCENT OF PERSONS AGES 5‐64 BY TYPE OF DISABILITY CHART 3: PERCENT OF PERSONS AGES 65 AND OVER BY TYPE OF DISABILITY Developmental Disabilities
As defined by state law, “developmental disability” means a substantial disability of an individual that:
Is manifested before the individual attains age 18.
Continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely.
The term includes intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and disabling conditions closely related to intellectual disability or requires treatment similar to that required for individuals with 17% 18%
54%
30%
13%
28%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Hearing
Difficulty
Vision
Difficulty
Cognitive
Difficulty
Ambulatory
Difficulty
Self‐Care
Difficulty
Independent
Living
Difficulty
Percentage of Persons
Type of Disability
44%
19%
27%
52%
23%
49%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Hearing
Difficulty
Vision
Difficulty
Cognitive
Difficulty
Ambulatory
Difficulty
Self‐Care
Difficulty
Independent
Living
Difficulty
Percentage of Persons
Type of Disability
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an intellectual disability. It does not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature.
The State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) collects data on individuals with a developmental disability by zip code and residence type. As of June 2019, the City of Santa Barbara had approximately 485 persons aged 17 and younger and 458 persons over 18 with developmental disabilities (some zip codes span into Santa Barbara County unincorporated areas). Of those, 75 percent are living with parents or family guardian, 19 percent are in independent and supportive living situations, and six percent are in an intermediate care facility.
Many developmentally disabled persons can live and work independently within a conventional housing environment. More severely disabled individuals require a group living environment where supervision is provided. The most severely affected individuals may require an institutional environment where medical attention and physical therapy are provided. Because developmental disabilities exist before adulthood, the first issue in supportive housing for the developmentally disabled is the transition from the person’s living situation as a child to an appropriate level of independence as an adult.
Resources
The DDS provides community-based services to approximately 243,000 persons with developmental disabilities and their families through a statewide system of 21 regional centers, four developmental centers, and two community-based facilities. Santa Barbara is served by the Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) which is based in Santa Barbara. As of May 2022, TCRC served approximately 17,600 clients, with approximately 4,000 clients living in Santa Barbara (TCRC Director of Community Development). Any resident who has a developmental disability that originated before age 18 is eligible for services.
Local community-based organizations that serve the disabled population are shown in Table 26. The City's Human Services and CDBG programs allocate grants to help support these local nonprofit organizations that provide services to low- and moderate-income residents with disabilities. The City’s Community Development and Human Services Committee includes representatives from the disabled community and the City’s Access Advisory Committee meets quarterly to assist and advise staff on general matters concerning access and compliance with the State Building Code regarding accessibility for people with disabilities.
Table 26: Organizations that Provide Services to People with Disabilities
ORGANIZATION SERVICES
Independent Living Resource
Center
Advocacy for independent living and full access for individuals with disabilities for residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties
Tri-Counties Regional Center Lifelong services and support for people with developmental disabilities for residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties Alpha Resource Center
Services and support for families of children with developmental disabilities, day services for adults 22 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and social and recreational activities for teens and young adults
CHANCE Housing Helps adults and children with disabilities find and maintain affordable, accessible community based housing
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ORGANIZATION SERVICES
Salvation Army Adult day care programs for seniors with mental and physical disabilities Mental Wellness Center
Provides a range of services for individuals with mental illnesses. The Residential Services Program includes more than 100 beds consisting of adult residential board and care homes, independent living, and Housing First facilities for people diagnosed with serious mental illness.
Friendship Adult Day Care
Center Activities for seniors and dependent adults with cognitive disabilities Hillside House Care for moderate to severely disabled, low-income adults
LARGE HOUSEHOLDS
Large households include five or more persons. Due to the limited supply of affordable, adequatelysized units to accommodate large households, large families face an above-average level of difficulty in locating adequate housing. Even when larger units are available, the cost is generally higher than that of smaller units. The lack of supply, compounded with the often lower-incomes of larger families, results in many large families living in overcrowded conditions.
The 2015 to 2019 ACS shows that large households comprise 8.3 percent of all households in Santa Barbara. This percentage has not changed since the 5th Cycle Housing Element. Of those, 32.5 percent are owners and 67.5 percent are renters. By comparison, households of two to four persons comprise
59.5 percent and single person households comprise 32.2 percent of all households. Overall, the housing need for small units exceeds that for units with three or more bedrooms. This trend is expected to continue in the coming decades due to the growth in the senior population, who often live alone.
The data from Chart 4 is from 2015-2019 ACS, Table B25009. The data from Chart 5 is from 2015- 2019 ACS, Table DP-4.
CHART 4: HOUSEHOLD SIZE OF RENTER & OWNER‐OCCUPIED HOUSEHOLDS
3,725
10,451
1,004
8,290
11,777
2,086
0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
Living Alone 2‐4 Persons 5+ Persons
Number of Households
Household Size
Owner Households Renter Households
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CHART 5: HOUSING UNITS BY NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
Large family households in Santa Barbara are much more likely to have a housing problem (defined as incomplete kitchen facilities, incomplete plumbing facilities, more than one person per room, and cost burden greater than 30 percent) than small family households: 43 percent of small family household have a housing problem compared to 75 percent of large family households (City of Santa Barbara Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, 2020).
Resources
As shown in Chart 5, the City has approximately 14,328 existing units with three or more bedrooms which could accommodate large households. Under the AUD program, larger rental units are encouraged and provided in some projects because density is not based on bedroom count. In the 5th Cycle (up to December 2021), 64 three+ bedroom market rate units were approved, issued a building permit, or constructed and the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara (HASB) acquired one three bedroom/two bathroom house. Larger deed-restricted affordable units are included in the City’s Housing and Human Services affordable housing inventory, including 181 three+ bedroom ownership units and 202 three+ bedroom rental units (40 of which are HASB units). The Housing Authority has an additional 132 three+ bedroom units in its portfolio.
FEMALE HEADED HOUSEHOLDS
Single parent households, in particular female-headed households, generally have lower-incomes and experience higher living expenses. This makes it difficult to find safe, decent, and affordable housing.
These households can also face challenges in attaining affordable childcare, health care, and other supportive services. Female-headed households, especially those with children, have special needs with respect to affordable, adequately sized housing units, located near schools and recreational facilities.
The 2015-2019 ACS estimates reported that about 31 percent of all households in the City are female headed households. Of those, 13 percent are with children, and 87 percent without. Of all families under the poverty level, 48 percent are female-headed.
2,306
9,984
13,314
9,559
3,718
1,051
0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
No bedroom
(Studio)
1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 or more
bedrooms
Number of Housing Units
Number of Bedrooms
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Table 27: Female Headed Households
HOUSEHOLD TYPE ESTIMATE PERCENT OF TOTAL
HOUSEHOLDS (37,333)
Female Headed Householders 11,397 31%
Female Heads with Own Children 1,477 4%
Female Heads Without Children 9,920 27%
Total Families Under the Poverty Level 1,376
Female Headed Households Under the
Poverty Level
664 2%
2015-2019 ACS, Table B11012, B17012
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY HOUSING
There are three major schools (a university and two colleges) within the Santa Barbara area. The University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) is located just west of the City. UCSB had an enrollment of 26,124 undergraduate and graduate students for the Fall 2021 Quarter; 10,375 of those students (40 percent) lived in UCSB housing facilities comprised of residence halls, family student housing, and undergraduate and graduate apartment housing. The remaining 54 percent live in the local community, and five percent live elsewhere. Of those living in the local community, five percent, or 1,310 individuals, live in the City of Santa Barbara. UCSB is the largest employer in Santa Barbara County, employing a total of nearly 11,000 academic and non-academic staff (UCSB 2021-2022 Campus Profile). Faculty and staff housing on or near the campus includes 224 for sale units for faculty, and 35 rental units for faculty and staff.
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is located within the City of Santa Barbara. SBCC does not provide on-campus or off-campus housing for students. As of fall 2021, SBCC had an enrollment of 14,039 students, including students on the main campus, students from local high schools (dual enrollment), and exclusively online. Of those, 39 percent have a mailing address in the City of Santa Barbara. From 2014-2021, SBCC student enrollment dropped 23 percent, with most of the decrease coming from parttime students (The Channels, 10/29/21). Some SBCC students live in residence halls or other student housing options alongside UCSB students in Isla Vista. Others live in privately-owned, off-campus, student housing apartments and single-unit residences adjacent to SBCC.
Westmont College is located in Montecito, a 10-minute drive east of Santa Barbara. Westmont is restricted to an on-campus enrollment of 1,200 students through a Conditional Use Permit. Westmont provides on-campus housing for 98 percent of its students; therefore, fewer Westmont students impact the rental housing market. Westmont also provides faculty and staff housing.
There are also several smaller schools in Santa Barbara, including Antioch University, Fielding Graduate University, and Santa Barbara College of Law. Although these schools have small enrollments or cater to those already living and working in Santa Barbara, they do contribute students to the demand for affordable rental units. Foreign language schools in Santa Barbara also contribute to the demand for rental housing. While these schools offer a variety of housing accommodations, such as 2023-2031 Housing Element
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living with a host family, at a hotel, or in a dormitory with other students, students may choose to rent an apartment unit while attending school. Competing for rentals with local residents not only impacts the availability of rental housing, but also makes it attractive for landlords to rent their units at higher prices.
University and college students have special housing needs due to limited income and financial resources. Most students are able to work only part-time to accommodate their study program. It is not uncommon for students to earn lower incomes and pay over half their annual income for housing.
Students may double-up in rooms to make rent payments more affordable.
University and college students impact the rental housing market. These students can be a significant factor that affect housing availability and rent levels, especially in areas close to the schools.
Apartments and houses near these schools generally experience lower vacancy rates and a higher turnover due to the cyclical school year. Because of the increased demand placed by students, owners with units close to colleges can charge higher rents, and often rent out individual bedrooms within a house to students to maximize rents charged.
FARMWORKERS
According to the 2021 Santa Barbara County Agricultural Production Report, the total gross production value of agriculture in 2021 was over $1.9 billion. Farmworker households are a special needs group due to lower-incomes typically earned by these households. Migrant and other farmworker households are generally located close to the agricultural areas providing employment, which is concentrated in the northern part of Santa Barbara County around Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Solvang. As noted in Table 5, it is estimated that 0.8 percent of the City’s residents are employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining jobs.
The City of Santa Barbara has a limited amount of agricultural uses, mostly on the northern edge of the City, north of Foothill Road and between the Riviera and the northern City limits. There are also smaller pockets in the Braemar Ranch area and on upper West Valerio Street. All the agricultural uses occur on land zoned for single-unit residential use. The City does not have an agricultural zone designation.
The City’s main agricultural crop grown is avocados, which traditionally is not labor intensive.
Information contained in the Environmental Impact Report prepared for the City’s Agricultural Uses:
General Plan and Municipal Code Amendments (SB-147-90), certified in 1993, indicates that there was approximately 130 acres of agricultural use within the City limits, including avocados, lemons/limes, and nursery. Avocados and lemons/limes are grown predominately on hillside areas and nursery stock is grown on relatively level mesa areas. It is estimated that there are only 20 to 30 larger agricultural operations in the City. The majority are small, possibly one-half acre or less. Therefore, agricultural uses have been relatively stable in the City of Santa Barbara.
The housing needs of farmworkers are difficult to quantify. The ability to gather information about farmworkers is limited because they are often mobile and reluctant to participate in any survey. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Services estimates there were 22,985 laborers9 working on farms and ranches within Santa Barbara County in 2017, 43 percent of which worked seasonally and 91 percent are on farms with ten or more workers. However, local non-profits 9 This number is likely underreported due to seasonal, migrant, and undocumented workers. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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working with the agricultural community have identified that the local farmworker population exceed the federal estimate. The farmworker population in the County is concentrated in the Santa Maria and Cuyama Housing Market Areas (HMAs)—approximately 80 and 123 miles from City of Santa Barbara respectively; however, all of the unincorporated County HMAs include farmworker populations (Santa Barbara County Draft Housing Element June 2023).
Existing affordable housing projects for farmworkers and their families in Santa Barbara County are provided by People’s Self Help Housing including two projects in Carpinteria and two projects in Guadalupe—approximately 11 and 75 miles from the City of Santa Barbara respectively. In 2023, People’s Self Help Housing was awarded an over four million dollar grant to construct 49 affordable homes in Santa Maria, 16 of which will be reserved for farmworker families.
Santa Barbara County’s Draft Housing Element (June 2023) used two resources to provide an assessment of farmworker housing conditions and needs: 1) the University of California Merced 2022 Farmworker Health in California, and 2) Blue Sky Center 2022 Cuyama Valley Farmworker Housing Report. Key trends across these data sets show that farmworkers are disproportionately renters and they have lower than average household incomes as compared to the general population. This aligns with state and federal data on the County’s farmworker population. While there is no data specific to the City, any farmworkers who live in the City of Santa Barbara would be expected to be renters with lower than average household incomes.
The 2002 Farmworker Health in California provides a statewide assessment of farmworker populations, including housing conditions and household characteristics. From 2020 to 2022, researchers surveyed over 1,200 farmworkers in the state with five percent located in the “Lower Central Coast” (Santa Barbara). Key findings include:
Vast majority of farmworkers rent (92 percent vs. 59 percent in the City). Nearly all farmworkers surveyed pay their housing cost without employer contributions (98 percent).
Farmworkers experience higher than average overcrowding compared to the general population (55 percent compared to 7.8 percent in the City). Farmworkers experience higher rates of substandard housing conditions (e.g., poor water quality, rotting wood, mold, and water damage).
Farmworkers have lower than average household median incomes ($25,000 vs. County median of $100,100 [2022]).
Farmworkers have a higher percent of large households (five or more persons) (47 percent vs. eight percent in the City).
The Blue Sky Center’s Farmworker Housing Report for Cuyama Valley (2002) provides information on a small subset of the County’s farmworker population. Cuyama Valley has approximately 1,100 residents and a total of 34 households completed the survey. The report’s findings include:
Nearly half (48 percent) are living in employer-provided housing. A higher proportion of Cuyama farmworkers are renters (73 percent), compared to Cuyama’s general population (23 percent)
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One hundred percent are at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
Resources
The housing needs of farmworkers are met through a variety of affordable housing types and programs, such as HE-6: Facilitate Production of Accessory Dwelling Units, HE-12: Prioritize Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing, HE-16: Create Affordable Housing Funds, and HE: 31: Secure Permanent Affordable Housing Funding. The Housing Authority’s housing choice voucher program also helps meet the housing need for farmworkers living in the City of Santa Barbara. As noted above, there is no agricultural zoning in the City and State regulations that require farmworker housing by right in agricultural zones do not generally apply. As discussed in the Constraints section, the City supports regulations in conformance with the Employee Housing Act and per HE-3: Amend the Zoning Ordinance for Special Needs Housing, City zoning regulations will be amended to allow agricultural employee housing as “employee housing” for six or fewer persons a use by right in all zones where single-unit residences are allowed.
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness in four broad categories (24 CFR Part 91.5):
People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or who are exiting an institution where they resided for up to 90 days, provided they were in shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering that institution;
People who are losing their primary nighttime residence, which may include a motel or hotel, within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing; Families with children or unaccompanied youth (under 25 years of age) who are unstably housed and are likely to continue in that state, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment; or
People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
Although there are myriad causes of homelessness, among the most common are low-income, substance use disorders, disabilities, domestic violence, and mental illness. The 2020 Point-in-Time Count, a nationwide snapshot count of persons experiencing homelessness, found more than 580,000 people living without a home either on the streets or at shelters, a number that has increased each year since 2017. At 28 percent, California has the largest percentage of the nation’s homeless population.
More notably, California has more than half of the unsheltered population in the country and are more vulnerable to health problems, violence and trauma, and longer periods of homelessness.
Results of the 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count identified 822 homeless individuals living in the City of Santa Barbara. Although this represents a ten percent decrease since the last count, this total still represents 41 percent of the homeless population countywide.
Government Code § 65583(a)(7) requires that the assessment of emergency shelter needs be based on the most recent homeless PIT count conducted before the start of the planning period, i.e., the 2022 2023-2031 Housing Element
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PIT. However, results of the 2023 PIT show a continued decrease to the City’s overall number of persons experiencing homelessness—787 total in Santa Barbara, with the number of sheltered persons increasing from 304 to 375 since the last count, and the number of unsheltered decreasing by 20 percent to 412. This reduction in unsheltered homeless is a result of significant efforts to increase the number of shelter beds in the City, and investments in street outreach and Neighborhood Navigation Centers, which will be discussed further in this section. Despite the overall decrease in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness, the City’s share is still 42 percent of the total homeless population.
CHART 6: POINT IN TIME COUNT BY YEAR
Emergency Shelter Needs Assessment
There are a number of facilities and programs that address homelessness in the City of Santa Barbara.
While ending homelessness requires a focus on permanent housing solutions, the following types of temporary housing is necessary to support a full system. Emergency Shelter: provides temporary shelter for homeless individuals, and does not require occupants to sign leases or occupancy agreements. Also includes navigation centers, bridge housing, and respite and recuperative care. Services include meals and case management.
Transitional Housing: provides homeless individuals and families with interim housing and support to successfully move into permanent housing. Residential stay is generally limited to 24 months, and tenants must have a signed lease, sublease, or occupancy agreement. Permanent Supportive Housing: provides indefinite leasing or rental assistance paired with supportive services to assist homeless persons achieve housing stability.
Currently, the City has a total of 964 beds/rooms/units available to serve the homeless in various forms (Table 28). Additionally, in 2022 two projects were added to the inventory—Dignity Moves with 34 units and Hospitality House with 24 units, increasing total capacity to 1,022 for 2023. As demonstrated 1,040
946
893
987
887
914
822
787
700
750
800
850
900
950
1,000
1,050
1,100
2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2020 2022 2023
Point in Time Count of Persons Experiencing
Homelessness Santa Barbara Only
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below, the City continues its commitment to the support of housing opportunities for persons experiencing homelessness.
Table 28: Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
City of Santa Barbara
FACILITY TYPE CAPACITY
Emergency Shelter 330
Transitional Housing 54
Rapid Re-Housing 48
Permanent Supportive Housing 446
Total Housing 878
Safe Parking for People Living in Their Vehicles 86
Total Capacity 964
* In 2022, two projects were added to the inventory: Dignity Moves with 34 units and Hospitality House with 24 units, increasing total capacity to 1,022 for 2023.
Table 29 shows the breakdown of the number of beds by type countywide from the 2022 Housing Inventory Count (HIC) provided by the Consortium of Care (CoC). This data shows that while the City’s share of total homeless persons is 42 percent of the countywide total, the number of emergency shelter beds within the City of Santa Barbara make up 51 percent of the total emergency beds available countywide.
Table 29: Number of Beds by Type and Area
CITY/AREA EMERGENCY
SHELTER
TRANSITIONAL
HOUSING
RAPID RE‐
HOUSING
PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING AND
OTHER
TOTAL
Santa Barbara 330 54 48 446 878
Santa Maria 162 28 24 434 648
Other
Unincorporated
County 7 0 209 637 853
Lompoc 102 20 66 70 258
Isla Vista 36 0 0 32 68
Goleta 7 0 0 24 31
Santa Ynez Valley 0 0 8 0 8
Carpinteria 0 0 0 6 6
Total 644 102 355 1,649 2,750
Housing Inventory Count 2022 County of Santa Barbara
As stated earlier, the 2022 PIT identified 822 homeless individuals throughout the City of Santa Barbara. Of those, 304 were sheltered (i.e., living in a supervised publicly- or privately-operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements) and 518 were unsheltered (i.e., with a primary 2023-2031 Housing Element
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nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground).
As shown in Table 29, above, there are 330 year-round emergency beds in the City, with transitional housing providing an additional 54 year-round beds, for a total of 384 year-round beds10. During the PIT survey, 342 of those beds were filled, with 42 beds open to unsheltered homeless persons. Reducing the number of vacant beds from the unsheltered PIT count leaves 476 persons remaining in need of shelter.
Based on the formula utilized by the County of Santa Barbara’s Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness to annualize the one-time PIT survey there is an annual need of 714 beds. Further, utilizing the turnover rate of beds (based on Homeless Management Information System data), the City needs to accommodate an additional 310 emergency beds to shelter the unsheltered population.11 Utilizing the same formulas as above and applying it to 2023 PIT data which counted 412 unsheltered individuals—a decrease of 20 percent since last year—there are 347 persons remaining in need of shelter, which reduces the number of additional emergency beds to 226 beds. This reduction in unsheltered homeless persons is a result of significant efforts by the City and partners to increase the number of available shelters in the City, and investments in street outreach and Neighborhood Navigation Centers.
Data Limitations
There are two data sets that were not available to the City: The number of beds that go unused on an average monthly basis, and the number of supportive housing units that were vacant during the PIT/HIC count.
The average number of beds that go unused on a monthly basis was unavailable, however the City was able to obtain the number of unused emergency beds counted during the PIT count: 42 in 2022, and 65 in 2023, and utilized this data in its assessment. Additionally, the number of supportive housing units that were vacant (unused) during the PIT/HIC were not available at the city level. The HIC noted 99 supportive housing beds were unused during the 2022 count Countywide. Given that the City of Santa Barbara makes up 27 percent of the permanent supportive housing stock in the county, having access to this data point would further reduce the number of additional emergency beds the City would require.
In future PIT/HIC counts the City will request this information at the city level.
Zoning for Emergency Shelters
In 2014, the City amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow emergency shelters as a permitted use in the M-C (Manufacturing Commercial) zone without the need for a conditional use permit or other discretionary action. In all other zones that allow residential use, the Zoning Ordinances allow emergency shelters with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). AB 2339, effective on January 1, 2023, 10 The 2022 Housing Inventory Count conducted as part of the PIT noted 53 year-round beds were unavailable during the PIT survey due to COVID-19 response protocols. Those protocols were lifted in 2023. 11 Multiplied number of individuals remaining in need of shelter by 1.5 and then divided the product by 2.3. Source Santa Barbara County Housing Element – 2023-2031, special housing needs. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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amended housing element law regarding identification of zones and sites for emergency shelters, and transitional and supportive housing. It requires that zoning designations that allow emergency shelters as a permitted use must allow residential uses. No zoning amendments are necessary to comply because the M-C zone already allows residential use.
The M-C zone is intended to accommodate a wide range of limited industrial, residential, retail service, office, and research and development uses. Many of the uses in this area provide single and multi-unit and mixed-use housing next to commercial uses, hotels, and essential services for the functioning of the City. The M-C Zone is concentrated in one area of the City near and within downtown and the Central Business District. It is bound by Ortega, Haley, Chapala, and Quarantina streets, encompassing portions of the Laguna, Lower East, and Lower State neighborhoods. It contains 477 parcels totaling 122 acres of land within the City. For additional information and analysis of suitable sites, see Appendix G analysis of the Laguna, Lower East, and Lower State neighborhoods. Most of this zone is within the Priority Housing Overlay that allows up to 63 units per acre. Within and adjacent to this zone are two City parks and Cota, Haley, and State Street each have Class II bike lanes.
Portions of this area are in FEMA flood zones and therefore new development is subject to general standards for flood hazard reduction as described in the Municipal Code. Per the State’s GeoTracker database for leaking underground storage tanks and other cleanup sites, there are multiple closed and several open cleanup sites in this zone. Per federal, State, and local regulations, any development, including housing and emergency shelters, proposed on a site that uses or previously used hazardous materials or that may contain contaminants in the soil or groundwater per the GeoTracker database, would be investigated, remediated, and cleaned up prior to construction and occupation under the supervision of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, or Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Since the AUD Program was adopted in 2013, the following mixed-use and residential rental projects have been constructed in this zone:
634 Anacapa: 29 units on a redeveloped lot of less than 0.5 acres. 414 Chapala: 21 units on a redeveloped lot of less than 0.5 acres. 522 Garden: 2 units on a vacant lot of less than 0.5 acres. 510 N. Salsipuedes: 40 affordable units on three consolidated and redeveloped lots totaling over 0.5 acres.
604 E. Cota: 29 units on a redeveloped lot of less than 0.5 acres.
A further 11 projects are pending and approved in this zone for a total of 318 new units, 12 of which are affordable for lower-income households and 24 for moderate-income households. There are no known conditions that would make projects in this zone inappropriate for human habitability.
The City must also demonstrate the adequacy of sites identified to accommodate emergency shelters.
At the time the M-C zone was amended to allow emergency shelters as a permitted use, the City determined this zone had the capacity to accommodate the City’s need for emergency shelters, including at least one year-round emergency shelter. Identified opportunity sites in the M-C zone continue to demonstrate sufficient capacity to support the development of additional emergency shelters as a permitted use without discretionary approval. The City’s Suitable Sites Inventory 2023-2031 Housing Element
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(Appendix G) lists approximately 90 available vacant or underutilized M-C zoned properties totaling 28 acres of available land. These parcels either separately (49 single parcels) or in combination (15 consolidated sites) could accommodate the development of emergency shelter facilities. See the Housing Constraints section for more information.
In the Coastal Zone (Title 28 Zoning Ordinance), emergency shelters require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The two major emergency shelter facilities, PATH Shelter (0.5 acre, zoned M-1/C-2/S-D-3) and Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (one acre, zoned OM-1/S-D-3), are currently permitted with a CUP.
Because these shelters provide multi-faceted programs and supportive services, they are considered quasi-public facilities, requiring a CUP per the Municipal Code. Amending their respective zones to allow emergency shelters by right requires coordination and approval from the California Coastal Commission because these zones are intended to provide appropriate ocean-dependent and related industrial uses in close proximity to the Harbor.
The Zoning Ordinances consider transitional and supportive housing a residential use of property and they are subject to only those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.
Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness
Although the County is the public entity responsible for attending to people experiencing homelessness, the City is deeply involved in helping the homeless. The City collaborates with the County and supports various partner agencies to implement an effective multi-pronged effort to assist in the provision of adequate housing and social services to this population. The City is a strong partner in a continuum of care that supports prevention programs, emergency shelter, transitional programs and permanent supportive housing. Table 30 describes the main programs.
Table 30: Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Elected Leaders Forum
to Address
Homelessness
The City participates in the County-sponsored regional forum for local elected representatives to learn about concerns, demographic trends, best practices, and future grant and other funding opportunities
Santa Maria/Santa
Barbara County
Continuum of Care
The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning body that coordinates housing and funding for services funding for homeless persons. The City is represented on the Governing Board by key high level-staff. City partnered with the County to secure $2.5 million in state Encampment Resolution Funds
Dignity Moves
A nonprofit organization that provides interim housing solutions. Dignity Moves and the County created a transitional housing project on a County parking lot within the City of Santa Barbara that provides 34 temporary, small, portable housing units and related facilities for the unhoused population, prioritized as those with an established history in downtown Santa Barbara. To assist the County with this needed project, the City is providing County employees with parking access at a nearby City Parking lot for the duration of the project, to offset the County’s loss of parking space, at a value of $294,400.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Santa Barbara Alliance
for Community
Transformation (SB
ACT)
The City has contracted with SB ACT to develop a unified, strategic response to homelessness. The Common Agenda/Strategic Plan was developed by a steering committee of community stakeholders (which includes City leadership and staff) and identifies four main goals: increase the number of affordable housing units by 20 percent; increase the rate of housing retention by five percent; reduce the percentage of people entering homelessness from a housed situation by ten percent; and strengthen the coordination and availability of outreach and case management services by 25 percent.
SB-ACT Regional
Action Plans (RAPs)
and Working Groups
SB ACT convenes regular neighborhood-centered group meetings (RAPs) to discuss issues of concern, inform the public about efforts to address homelessness, and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of homelessness. There currently are three RAPs in the City of Santa Barbara attended by residents, business leaders, and service providers. In 2022, in coordination with the City SB ACT also convenes monthly meetings with service providers to coordinate services to individuals residing in highly impacted neighborhoods.
SB-ACT Neighborhood
Navigation Centers
(NNC)
The City provides funding to SB ACT to operate NNCs, a “one-stop-shop” location to provide case management, food distribution, medical and veterinary care, sanitation services, and more provided by many nonprofit organizations. The City’s Library is a NNC partner, and provides homeless individuals with computer and internet access; phone charging and printing stations; workforce development and/or literacy program intakes; assistance obtaining vital documents or applying for government benefits (i.e., MediCal, CalFresh, lifeline phones, low-cost internet, etc.) NNCs operate Thursdays at Alameda Park and Tuesdays at the Carrillo Commuter Lot, and Wednesdays at the Rescue Mission. In 2022, these NNCs resulted in 65 street exits.
City Net
City Net provides street outreach, case-management, and housing navigation services to persons experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara, funded by State of California’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program, which the City receives annually. City Net works closely with local shelters, landlords, Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Police Department, SB ACT, and various service providers to coordinate outreach and housing location services and is often the first line of response to our unhoused population. In early 2023, the City contracted with City Net to expand services from Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in addition to regular weekday services.
People Assisting the
Homeless (PATH)
The City provides annual operations support to PATH, an interim housing program serving homeless individual men and women. Services include an on-site health clinic, mental healthcare, substance use counseling, housing location, employment and benefits assistance, meals and hygiene facilities.
Tenant Based Rental
Assistance (TBRA)
The City has partnered with New Beginnings, Transition House, and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara to provide rental assistance to low-income households in order to rent market-rate units.
The City has utilized its federal HOME entitlement award to fund TBRA programs since 2012. The HOME TBRA program operates similarly to the Section 8 Program.
TBRA rental assistance grants may facilitate security deposit payments and/or monthly rental housing assistance for up to 24 months. Since 2010, TBRA assistance has been provided to more than 1,324 households.
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3. HOUSING CONSTRAINTS
Governmental Constraints
Potential constraints on the provision of housing that could be attributed to governmental actions include factors such as land use controls, local processing and permit procedures, on-and offsite improvement requirements, other City regulations, application of building codes, and fees. Each potential constraint and its effect on the production of housing in Santa Barbara is discussed below.
LAND USE CONTROLS
Below is a description of the various plans, documents, and other controls that set forth the goals, policies, and standards that affect where housing is located and the development standards and requirements that shape housing developments. Pursuant to Government Code § 65940.1(a)(1) (A) and (B), all documents and standards summarized below can be found on the City’s website.
GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT
The original City of Santa Barbara General Plan was adopted in 1964 and was most recently comprehensively updated in December 2011. State law requires that all cities and counties in California have a General Plan that includes a land use element. The land use element designates the proposed general distribution and location of the extent of land uses for public and private uses, including land and natural resources suitable for designation in the General Plan’s environmental resources element.
Specific to the Housing Element, the Land Use Element establishes residential land use designations that allow for a mix of housing types. Table 31 outlines the residential land use designations and applicable base densities in the General Plan. Urban land use designations allow a higher density range with the City’s Average Unit Size Density Incentive (AUD) program, indicated in parentheses.
See below for more information about the AUD program.
Table 31: Santa Barbara General Plan Residential Density Ranges
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION MAXIMUM DU/AC
Hillside
Low Density Residential 1 1
Low Density Residential 2 2
Low Density Residential 3 3
Suburban
Low Density Residential 3 3
Low Density Residential 5
Medium Density Residential 12
General Urban
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GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION MAXIMUM DU/AC
Medium High Density Residential 12 to 18
(15 to 27 with AUD Program)
High Density* Residential 12 to 18
(28 to 36 with AUD Program)
Hotel/Medium High Density Residential 12 to 18
(15 to 27 with AUD Program)
Ocean Related Commercial/Medium High Density Residential 12 to 18 (15 to 27 with AUD Program)
Office/Medium Density Residential 12
Office/Medium High Density Residential 15 to 27
Office/High Density* Residential 12 to 18
(28 to 36 with AUD Program)
Commercial/Medium High Density Residential 12 to 18
(15 to 27 with AUD Program)
Commercial/High Density* Residential 12 to 18
(28 to 36 with AUD Program)
Commercial Industrial/Medium High Density Residential 12 to 18 (15 to 27 with AUD Program)
City of Santa Barbara General Plan 2011; BAE, 2022.
*High Density designations can achieve densities of 49-63 DU/Ac if developed under the Priority Housing Overlay incentive program and the units are restricted to rental, employer sponsored housing, or cooperative housing.
According to state law, the default minimum density for land targeted to address the RHNA for lowerincome households in Santa Barbara is at least 20 dwelling units per acre. “At least” means the density range allowed on the parcel by the zone has to include the default density. Densities achieved through the Average Unit-Size Density Incentive (AUD) Program are higher as discussed in further detail below.
In addition to the AUD Program density incentives, state and local density bonus incentives allows developers to exceed the density limits listed above. During the 5th cycle Housing Element period, approximately 13 projects have been approved or are pending approval at higher densities using City or state density bonus. General Plan densities have not been shown to be a constraint on housing.
COASTAL LAND USE PLAN
The City’s first Coastal Land Use Plan (LUP) was certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1981 and was most recently comprehensively updated in 2019. The Coastal Act requires that the City’s LUP include the kind, location, density, and intensity of land uses within the Coastal Zone and that public access, recreation, aquaculture, coastal-dependent, and coastal-related uses be prioritized on oceanfront lands that are suitable to those purposes. Visitor-serving and recreational uses, particularly lower cost ones, shall also be protected and encouraged. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Most land use designations in the LUP allow residential uses, except for Hotel and Related CommerceI, Industrial, Coastal-Oriented Industrial, Institutional, Beach, Parks/Open Space, Harbor-Stearns Wharf, and limited areas within Ocean-Oriented Commercial.
The 2013 Zoning Ordinance amendments that established the AUD Program have not been submitted to or certified by the Coastal Commission. Without the AUD Program effective in the Coastal Zone, the highest allowed density is currently 27 dwelling units per acre.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The City has two Zoning Ordinances for different areas of the City. Title 28 is used in the Coastal Zone while Title 30 is used in the remainder inland portion of the City. Title 30 was recently reformatted and updated and instances where nomenclature or standards differ in Title 28 are noted in parenthesis or otherwise below. The City intends to submit Title 30 to the Coastal Commission for certification and use in the Coastal Zone to eliminate the need for two separate Zoning Ordinances. The Zoning Ordinance has specific standards for base zones, with additional development standards for overlay zones and specific plan zones.
Base Zones
Specific to housing, the base zone regulations include:
RS Residential Single Unit is intended to provide areas for single-unit housing on individual lots at appropriate low densities with allowances for an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Two-Unit Residential Development when certain standards are met. Designators (e.g., -25, -15) refer to minimum lot size in thousands of square feet or, in the case of RS-1A, acres. This zone also allows manufactured housing and mobilehomes on an approved permanent foundation. R-2 Two-Unit Residential is intended to provide areas for medium-density residential where the principal use of land is for two-unit dwellings. Single-unit dwellings and garden apartment developments are also allowed.
R-M (R-3) Residential Multi-Unit is intended to provide areas for a variety of multi-unit housing types.
R-MH (R-4) Residential Multi-Unit and Hotel is intended to provide areas for a variety of multi-unit housing types.
Residential development is also an allowed use in most of the City’s nonresidential zones, including: OR (R-0) (Office Restricted), O-M (C-O) (Office Medical), C-R (C-P, C-1, C-L) (Commercial Restricted), C-G (C-2) (Commercial General), and M-C (C-M) (Manufacturing Commercial).
Development standards for each of these residential designations, including parking, height, open yard, and others are summarized below, details can be found in Appendix F. 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 53
Overlay Zones
There are twelve Overlay Zones in the City, as provided in Table 32 below.
Table 32: Overlay Zones
OVERLAY ZONE DESCRIPTION ZONE DESIGNATION
Auto, Commercial, and Services ACS
Coastal Zone CZ
Hazardous Waste Management Facility HWMF
Historic District HD
Landmark District LD
Mobile Home Park MP
Planned Unit Development PUD
Research and Development RD
Resort Hotel RH
San Roque Park Subdivision SRP
Senior Housing SH
Upper State Street Area USS
City of Santa Barbara Municipal Code, 2022; BAE, 2022.
Each overlay zone has specific development standards depending on the purpose. Of the zones listed above, the Upper State Street (USS) and Landmark District (LD) overlay zones are most commonly applicable to areas of the City where new multi-unit housing is developed.
The Upper State Street (USS) Overlay Zone (Figure 2) was formerly the S-D-2 Special District Zone adopted in 1979. This zone allows multi-unit housing, but has more restrictive standards (i.e., 45 feet height limit, greater front setbacks) than other areas of the City. The more restrictive standards are intended to maintain and enhance the character of Upper State Street, including the public streetscape, open space, creeks, views, site design, and building aesthetics. Individual projects applying these provisions over the past 40+ years have been granted modifications to the front setback standards in some instances. The Upper State Street Area Design Guidelines provides examples of circumstances which could support approval of a front setback modification including site constraints and community benefit such as affordable housing.
Since adoption of the AUD program, three residential projects totaling 237 units rental units (over half of which are 100 percent affordable) and one project of 72 ownership units have been constructed within the USS Overlay Zone. A further four projects are pending with a total of 738 units, 87 of which are proposed for very low- and low-income households. The Suitable Sites Inventory includes 52 additional sites within the USS Overlay with a total capacity of 2,126 units. 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 54
The City’s El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District (LD) Overlay Zone and various Historic Districts (HD) Overlay Zones also contain certain provisions with respect to the production of new housing, such as specific design review standards and required architectural styles, to ensure compatibility with the existing historic character of these areas.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 55
Figure 2: Upper State Street Overlay Zone
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Upper State Street (USS) Overlay ZoneCity Limits
R:\GIS\Housing\HE_2023\AFFH Maps 2nd Draft\UpperStateStreetOverlay_Map8x11_April2023.mxd 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 56
ANALYSIS
The standards for the El Pueblo Viejo District LD Zone have not been shown to constrain housing because much of this area is also zoned for and has produced high density housing projects compatible with the historic character of the area. Parcels within the Historic Districts (HD) Overlay Zones are typically already fully developed and not considered suitable sites for a significant number of new housing units.
The standards for the Upper State Street USS Zone have not been shown to constrain housing based on the track record of constructed and pending projects that are able to meet or exceed maximum density within the height limits and other specific standards. Furthermore, housing projects can apply for a front setback modification, or use State or City density bonus waivers, concessions, and incentives if desired to modify site development standards, including height limitations if the City can make the required findings.
Specific Plan Zones
The City has nine Specific Plan Zones at present. Four of these Zones allow for housing, including the Cabrillo Plaza Specific Plan (SP2-CP); the Rancho Arroyo Specific Plan (SP4-RA); the Westmont College Specific Plan (SP5-WC); and the Los Portales Specific Plan (SP10-LP). These Plans allow for residential densities consistent with the General Plan.
Average Unit‐Size Density Incentive Program
The City’s Average Unit-Size Density Incentive (AUD) Program was adopted in 2013 (Municipal Code Chapter 30.150) with the following key objectives:
Encourage smaller rental units;
Locate units close to transit, services, and recreational opportunities; and Encourage workforce housing (defined as households overqualified for affordable housing yet unable to afford market-rate housing).
The AUD Program applies to both mixed-use development and residential-only development. It allows both ownership units (condominiums) and rental units. It is permitted in the following multi-unit and nonresidential zones: R-M, R-MH, O-R, C-R, C-G, and M-C. In exchange for densities of up to 63 dwelling units per acre, the AUD Program includes additional development incentives such as reduced parking, setback, and open yard requirements, described in detail below.
The AUD Program consists of three density tiers based on the General Plan Land Use Designation for the lot as shown in the next table: Medium-High Density (15-27 dwelling units per acre); High Density (28-36 dwelling units per acre) and the Priority Housing Overlay (37-63 dwelling units per acre).
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 57
Table 33: AUD Program Density by Category
MEDIUM‐HIGH DENSITY HIGH DENSITY PRIORITY HOUSING
OVERLAY
AVERAGE
UNIT SIZE
(SF)
DENSITY
DU/ACRE
AVERAGE
UNIT SIZE
(SF)
DENSITY
DU/ACRE
AVERAGE
UNIT SIZE
(SF)
DENSITY
DU/ACRE
1450 15 1245 28 970 37-48
1360 16 1200 29 969 49
1280 17 1160 30 960 50
1210 18 1125 31 941 51
1145 19 1090 32 935 52
1090 20 1055 33 917 53
1040 21 1025 34 901 54
1005 22 995 35 896 55
985 23 970 36 880 56
965 24 874 57
945 25 859 58
925 26 845 59
905 27 840 60
827 61
825 62
811 63
City of Santa Barbara Municipal Code, 2022; BAE, 2022.
This density incentive program was implemented on a “trial basis” after ordinance adoption and, if not extended, would have expired on February 15, 2024. In late 2023, City Council took action to remove the expiration date.
ANALYSIS
The 2015 Housing Element set a target goal for 1,208 new units to be constructed under this program by 2023. As of May 2023, 94 active or completed multi-unit and mixed-use projects were submitted to the City, resulting in 1,439 new units. The average AUD project unit size is 716 square feet and the average density is 38 units per acre.
As described in Housing Element Program HE-10: Multi-Unit Housing Program, the City has prepared a progress report to analyze the type of units proposed under the program and examine whether the projects met the key objectives. As part of this effort, a public feedback survey to project applicants was distributed in July 2023. The removal of the expiration date will be followed by Zoning Ordinance amendments to make the AUD Program into permanent multi-unit housing standards, based on results of the progress report, survey, focus group interviews, and direction from City Council. Related to this effort, Housing Element Program HE-12: Prioritize Affordable Housing will develop an affordable housing strategy to incentivize deed-restricted affordable housing similar to the way that the AUD Program incentivized above moderate-income, market-rate rental housing. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Parking
Residential parking requirements vary in the City depending on the type of project and where it is located. Figure 3 shows areas of the City that require fewer parking spaces per unit to incentivize more units on infill lots.
AVERAGE UNIT SIZE DENSITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM (AUD) PROJECTS:
Within Central Business District: Maximum one per unit. This “unbundled” parking requirement was adopted by City Council in 2020 as a strategy to provide the greatest amount of building flexibility and infill housing incentives in the core downtown area where lots are often built out to the property lines. With this standard, parking spaces can be sold or leased separately from the lease/sale of a unit. Spaces within City-owned parking lots are available nearby as an alternative.
Outside Central Business District: one per unit for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units; two per unit for each unit with three or more bedrooms.
Guest parking is not required.
SINGLE AND TWO‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL AND CONDOMINIUMS
Two covered spaces per unit. For single unit residential, uncovered parking can be substituted for covered on lots less than 15,000 sq. ft. as follows:
One covered and One Uncovered Space: Any lot developed with less than 85 percent of the maximum net floor area for the lot;
Two Uncovered Spaces: Any lot developed with less than 85 percent of the maximum net floor area for the lot, subject to approval by the appropriate Design Review Body, provided a minimum 200 cubic feet of enclosed exterior storage space is provided on-site.
For two-unit residential and condominiums, a minimum of one space per unit must be covered. The City is proposing amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that would eliminate the covered parking requirements, anticipated for adoption in 2024.
MULTI‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL (OUTSIDE OF AUD)
Can be covered or uncovered. The following parking standards are rarely applied because most new multi-unit housing projects are within the AUD Program boundaries. It is anticipated that they will be revised and removed from the Zoning Ordinance when new multi-unit housing standards are adopted. Studio: one if 600 sq. ft. or less, or 1.25 per unit
One-bedroom: one if 600 sq. ft or less, or 1.5 per unit Two or more bedrooms: two per unit
GUEST PARKING
Not required in CBD or for AUD projects. Outside of CBD, none is required for 1-5 units, one space for 6-7 units, and one space per 4 units for 8 or more units. 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 59
Figure 3: Reduced Residential Parking Areas
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Map prepared by City of Santa Barbara, Planning Division, April 2023 Locations in the City with
Reduced Residential Parking Requirements
Pacific Ocean
Major Transit StopsMajor Transit Stops 1/2 Mile BufferCentral Business District (CBD) With AverageUnit Size Density Incentive (AUD) ProgramAUD Allowed outside 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 60
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS:
Inland (Title 30): None. Exception of one per unit or bedroom in High Fire Hazard Areas (unless project meets state law exception).
Coastal (Title 28): One per unit required for consistency with Coastal LUP policies.
Exception of no parking required if project meets local and state law criteria.
PARKING EXCEPTIONS AND REDUCTIONS:
Affordable and Senior Housing: Unless further reduced by state law, projects with 100 percent rental units affordable to very low- and low-income households or senior housing may reduce parking to one space per unit. Units restricted to low-income senior housing may further reduce parking to one space for every two units. Other Reductions: Required spaces may be further reduced for designated carshare vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, and parking area improvements.
ASSEMBLY BILL 2097 (2022)
AB 2097 prohibits the City from imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements if the project is located within one-half mile of public transit, which is defined as a major transit stop.
According to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Santa Barbara County has six locations that qualify as a major transit stop (per transit service levels of October 2022), two of which are in the City of Santa Barbara. The two transit stops and one-half miles areas, which include much of Downtown and part of the Coastal Zone, are depicted on Figure 3 and include: 1) Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) Transit Center (Transit Center), located just off the State Street Plaza (temporary promenade) on Chapala Street between Figueroa and Carrillo Streets; and 2) Amtrak Station, located at the intersection of State Street and Yanonali Street at the City’s Depot Lot (Public parking lot, Amtrak Station, and Greyhound Station). Any new ground-up development or change of use of existing buildings within the qualifying boundary does not have to provide parking (excluding hotels and event centers).
ANALYSIS
New multi-unit residential development under the AUD Program is permitted using the reduced parking incentives or even no parking as an option. Over time, providing less parking in the AB 2097 qualifying areas will continue to decrease traffic congestion Downtown, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a healthier community, consistent with policies in the City’s General Plan and Climate Action Plan that relate to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To maximize residents’ use of alternative transportation, the City will need to ensure strong public transit, walking, and biking facilities continue to be planned for and provided.
To further incentivize infill residential development, Housing Element Program HE-1: Facilitate Conversion of Nonresidential Buildings to Housing will provide further parking relief for projects converting from nonresidential to residential in the CBD or if converting a historic resource to residential within one-half mile of a major transit stop.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 61
Building Height
City residents value the existing historic scale, architectural character, and mountain views. In 1972, City electors approved a charter amendment to limit building height. The building height limitations are reflected in the Zoning Ordinance maximum building heights as follows:
30 feet for single and two-unit residential development; 45 feet for multi-unit and mixed-use;
45 feet or base zone height, whichever is less, for projects within the Upper State Street (USS) Overlay Zone (see Overlay Zones above for more information); 48 feet for AUD projects in the C-G or M-C zones, located in and developed at the Priority Housing Overlay Tier, and located within the CBD (adopted in 2020); and 60 feet for a Community Benefit Housing Project12 in the C-G or M-C zones that meets the following findings:
a. Demonstrated Need. The applicant has adequately demonstrated a need for the project to exceed 45 feet in height that is related to the project’s benefit to the community, or due to site constraints, or in order to achieve desired architectural qualities; b. Architecture and Design. The project will be exemplary in its design; c. Livability. If the project includes residential units, the project will provide amenities to its residents which ensure the livability of the project with particular attention to good interior design features such as the amount of light and air, or ceiling plate heights; and d. Sensitivity to Context. The project design will complement the setting and the character of the neighboring properties with sensitivity to any adjacent federal, state, and City Landmarks or any nearby designated Historic Resources, including City-designated Structures of Merit.
12 Defined as Priority Housing (i.e., rental, employer-sponsored, or limited-equity housing cooperative), housing affordable to very low, moderate, or middle income households, and transitional and supportive housing. 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 62
Figure 4: Height Limits
In addition to the height maximums, the City’s Solar Access Height Ordinance (Section 30.140.170) may limit height on a portion of new development on the north side of applicable properties. This is to ensure the building does not cast a significant shadow on the neighboring building and adequate access to direct sunlight is provided. Sun access is essential to energy conservation, allowing for passive solar heating and for solar energy systems optimal performance.
The number of stories in a building is not regulated by the Zoning Ordinance.
ANALYSIS
Tables 42 - Example Projects on Sites Less than 0.5 Acres and 43 – Example Projects on Lot Merger Sites in the Sites Inventory and Analysis section includes completed and approved multi-unit and mixed-use project heights and densities achieved. In the 5th cycle, at least 15 three to five story projects were approved or constructed with heights 45 feet and above. Of those, 33 percent were provided a Community Benefit Housing Project height exception to exceed zoning height limits. These projects were in the Priority Housing Overlay that allows up to 63 units/acre. The median density achieved was 62 units/acre. Table 34 shows examples of the lowest, median, and highest density achieved (units/acre) from constructed and approved projects.
Table 34: Building Height Example Projects
ADDRESS UNITS UNITS/ACRE AVERAGE UNIT SIZE
(SQ. FT.)
STORIES/HEIGHT
*Project used State Density Bonus and Community Benefit Height Exception The City’s height limits have not been shown to constrain housing development because in the last ten years, the majority of residential and mixed-use projects (81 percent) are permitted within the 45’ height limit. A sample of 13 projects developed in the medium high density tier (15-27 du/ac), which allows up 835 E. Canon Perdido 41 52 737 3/45’
414 Chapala 21 62 844 4/45’
115 W. Anapamu* 34 122 450 5/60’
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 63
to 45 feet in height, were able to achieve densities of 24-27 du/ac with building heights ranging from 19 feet to a little over 42 feet. In the Priority Housing Overlay (37-63 du/ac), which, in the C-G and M-C zones, allows up to 48 feet in height or up to 60 feet as a Community Benefit Housing Project, 12 projects were able to achieve densities of 56-63 du/ac with building heights ranging from 40 to nearly 52 feet. Furthermore, four pending and approved projects for a total of 235 units are using the Community Benefit Housing Project height exception approval from the Planning Commission to exceed the 45 or 48 foot height limits, as applicable. Of the approximately 13 projects using state or City Density Bonus provisions, only one requested a height limit waiver.
LOT COVERAGE AND OPEN YARD
The City does not have lot coverage standards. In single-unit zones, building size may be limited by the maximum floor area (floor to lot area ratio or FAR) applied to lots smaller than 15,000 square feet and with a building of two or more stories or 17 feet or more in height. On properties larger than 15,000 square feet or single-unit development in multi-unit zones, FAR is applied as a guideline rather than a regulation. If applicable, the maximum FAR is 85 percent and a modification can be requested to exceed maximum FAR. Newly constructed detached ADUs of up to 800 sq. ft., and ADUs created from converting existing structures are not counted in the FAR calculation.
The City requires open yard areas to promote desirable living conditions and useful space for outdoor living. Open yard is comprised of common and private (per unit) open yard space. Private open yard can be located on grade or on a deck, balcony, or patio and can overlap with common open yard. Open yard can be located within the interior setbacks and can be landscaped or hardscaped. Open yard is not required for ADUs and the required open yard for existing or proposed primary units can be reduced to construct an ADU.
In multi-unit residential zones, a minimum of 15 percent of the lot area is for open yard. In nonresidential zones where multi-unit residential is allowed, there is no minimum lot area requirement.
Multi-unit residential or mixed-use projects in nonresidential zones can apply to replace or reduce private open yards with a common area provided the proposal meets the following standards and findings:
1. Minimum Area: 15% of the net lot area;
2. Minimum Dimensions: 10 feet long and 10 feet wide, unless reduced or waived by the Review Authority;
3. Standards and Location: Except those for private open yards, all open yard standards and location requirements are met; and
4. Common Open Yard Area. At least one area with a minimum dimension of 20 feet long and 20 feet wide, located on the ground or on decks of any height, or on any floor of the structure, that is accessible to all units for use as a common open yard area is provided.
5. Findings. Approval may only be granted if the Review Authority finds that:
a. The alternative open yard design is necessary to provide flexibility in architectural style or site organization, such as the preservation of natural features, enhanced circulation, shared amenities, or the protection/creation of scenic views; and 2023-2031 Housing Element
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b. Approval of the alternative open yard design will meet the purpose of the required open yard, as described in this section.
ANALYSIS
The open yard requirement has not been shown to constrain housing development due to the availability of alternative open yard designs, particularly in the nonresidential zones where common open yard is accommodated by rooftop decks and other alternative locations. Further, open yard space can be used to accommodate construction of an ADU.
Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types
State law requires that local land use regulations contain provisions to ensure the ability to develop a variety of housing types that can serve individuals and households with a diverse range of needs.
DEFINITION OF A FAMILY
Santa Barbara Municipal Code defines “Family” in the same way it does a “Household”: that is, “one or more persons living together in a single residential unit, with common access to, and common use of, all living areas and all areas and facilities for the preparation and storage of food and who maintain no more than four separate rental agreements for the single residential unit. The purpose of limiting the number of separate rental agreements is to allow the City to regulate student housing and boarding houses as “Group Residential” facilities, which includes convents and monasteries, rooming and boarding houses, dormitories and other types of organizational housing intended for long-term occupancy (more than 30 consecutive calendar days) but excludes Hotels and Similar Uses, and statelicensed facilities for Residential Care and Supportive and Transitional Housing.
If more than four persons are living in the unit, tenants can either operate with everyone’s name on the same lease or have a “master tenant” and “subtenant” arrangement, where one person’s name is on the lease and rent is collected from the other tenants. The code does not determine occupancy based on the relationship of residents or restrict the number of individuals residing together based on disability or employment status.
The Coastal Zone (Title 28) has a slightly different definition for “Family”, which it defines as a “single residential unit or a person or group of persons living together as a domestic unit in a single residential unit.”
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROCEDURES
It is the City’s policy to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act to provide reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities seeking fair access to housing through relief from the application of certain zoning regulations such as parking, setbacks, open space, and others. Accessibility guidelines are distributed by City Staff to builders explaining federal and state laws regarding accessible building codes for housing for persons with disabilities. The City’s Municipal Code incorporates reasonable accommodation provisions for persons with disabilities. The Ordinance ensures that persons with disabilities are provided equal access to housing. Specifically, the Municipal Code allows:
Accessible uncovered parking spaces, access aisles, and accessibility ramps necessary to make an existing building accessible to disabled individuals to encroach into required setbacks.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 65
All parking areas, except those located in one- and two-unit zones, to provide parking spaces accessible to disabled persons. The conversion of an existing parking space to an accessible parking space or access aisle for an accessible parking space does not require a modification of the parking requirement even if the conversion would result in fewer parking spaces than required.
Modifications to any zoning standard when necessary to make an existing residential unit accessible to persons with disabilities. For example, encroachments into yard areas for access ramps for disabled persons are allowed without requiring a modification hearing process.
If Zoning Modification approval is required, the review authority for modifications to provide accommodation for disabilities is the Staff Hearing Officer (SHO). The SHO process was created in 2006 to improve and streamline the discretionary review process for smaller, less complex projects. A Modification to allow improvements to an existing structure or site to accommodate individuals with disabilities may be approved if the SHO makes all of the following findings:
1. The project does not include new structures, demolitions or substantial redevelopment and rebuilds, or additions where the proposed project precludes a reasonable accommodation that would not require a Modification;
2. That the property which is the subject of the request for reasonable accommodation will be used by an individual or organization entitled to protection;
3. If the request for accommodation is to provide fair access to housing, that the request for accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to an individual protected under State or federal law;
4. That the conditions imposed, if any, are necessary to further a compelling public interest and represent the least restrictive means of furthering that interest; and
5. That denial of the requested Modification would conflict with any State or federal statute requiring reasonable accommodation to provide access to housing.
CONCENTRATION/SITING REQUIREMENTS AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY CARE
FACILITIES
Consistent with state law, the City does not have any restrictions on the concentration of community care facilities or other restrictive siting requirements that limit the potential number of these facilities that could be developed within the zones where they are an allowable use, which is any zone in the City that allows residential use. Community Care Facilities, Residential Facilities for the Elderly, and Hospices housing six or fewer individuals are allowed by right in all residential, commercial and office, and manufacturing commercial zones.
A Performance Standard Permit (PSP) is required for such facilities only in residential zones when housing seven to 12 individuals, while a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required when housing more than 12 individuals in all zones. The purpose of the PSP/CUP is to make sure any accessory uses (e.g., recreational facilities, staff offices, etc.) fit into the character of a residential neighborhood. For similar reasons, a PSP is also required for Large Family Day Care Homes and a CUP is required for Group Residential in residential zones.
2023-2031 Housing Element
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The required findings for such facilities serving seven or more individuals in a residential zone are:
1. The facility conforms to the extent feasible to the type, character, and appearance of other residential units in the neighborhood in which it is located. This provision shall not restrict the installation of any special features(s) necessary to serve residents with special needs (e.g., ramps, lifts, handrails).
2. The intensity of use in terms of number of people, hours of major activities, and other operational aspects of the proposed facility is compatible with any neighboring residential use.
These Conditional Use Permit and Performance Standard Permit requirements could be considered a constraint and is addressed in Housing Program HE-3: Amend the Zoning Ordinance for Special Needs Housing.
LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
AB 101, passed in 2019, requires that a low barrier navigation center (i.e., housing-first, low barrier, temporary, service-enriched shelter) be a use allowed by right in mixed-use zones and nonresidential zones permitting multi-unit uses if it meets specified requirements.
The Zoning Ordinance (Title 30 and Title 28) has not been amended to specifically permit low barrier navigation centers in mixed-use and nonresidential zones permitting multi-unit uses. This could be considered a constraint and is addressed in Housing Program HE-3.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Transitional housing facilities are intended to house homeless individuals and families for a longer stay than in emergency shelters. The City’s Zoning Ordinance (Titles 28 and 30)13 allows transitional housing as a residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Supportive housing provides on- or offsite services to assist individuals facing obstacles to employment and housing stability. AB 2162 (2018) requires that supportive housing be permitted in zones where multi-unit and mixed-use developments are permitted. Local jurisdictions must also streamline the approval of housing projects containing a specified amount of supportive housing by providing for ministerial approvals, with no requirements for CEQA analysis, conditional use permits, or other discretionary approvals. The City has an online Supplemental Application form available for Supportive Housing Streamlined Approval per AB 2162.
The City’s Zoning Ordinance (Titles 28 and 30) allows supportive housing as a residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
The City’s Zoning Ordinance allows emergency shelters in all residential and nonresidential zones, but all zones require a Conditional Use Permit, with the exception of the M-C (Manufacturing Commercial) 13 Title 28 uses the term “Group Home”, which is intended to include Transitional and Supportive Housing, and is an allowed residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone. Title 28 Section 28.15.030 Uses Permitted (in residential zones) also states “State authorized, licensed, or certified use to the extent it is required by state law to be an allowed use in residential zones.” 2023-2031 Housing Element
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zone where the use is allowed without a CUP. Currently, there are eight facilities in the City that meet the definition of an emergency shelter, with a capacity of 330 beds. Emergency shelters are subject to all development standards applicable within the zone in which the emergency shelter is located and the following objective development and management standards:
Capacity: An Emergency Shelter located within the M-C zone may provide a maximum of 100 beds and shall serve no more than 100 homeless persons per night. Capacity in other zones is determined by the Review Authority.
Length of Stay: 180 consecutive nights
Intake/Waiting Area: At least 10 square feet of interior intake and waiting space per bed is required.
Outdoor Area/Activity: Outdoor gathering areas shall be hidden from view or screened.
Prospective residents shall not queue on the public right-of-way or parking areas. Parking: One parking space for every eight beds and one covered and secure bicycle space for every four beds. Fewer parking spaces may be proposed if a parking study demonstrates that the anticipated parking demand will be satisfied. The required parking shall not be more than that which is required for similar residential or commercial uses within the zone.
Lighting: Compliance with the City’s Lighting Ordinance. Concentration of Uses: No emergency shelter or homeless shelter shall be permitted within 300 feet of another Emergency shelter or homeless shelter. On-Site Management: On-site management is required at all times the shelter is in operation. A Management Plan for the operation of the shelter must be submitted with the master application, subject to approval by the Community Development Department Director.
Ability to Pay: No individual or household may be denied Emergency Shelter due to an inability to pay.
Approximately 90 parcels, or a little over 28 acres of land is suitable for housing in the M-C zone, with parcel size ranging from less than one-quarter acre to over three acres. Two sites are vacant, and the remaining sites meet the thresholds for redevelopment in the 6th cycle Housing Element as described in the Suitable Sites Inventory. Emergency shelters are also an allowed use on these parcels.
The City’s M-C zone includes two public parks, a large grocery store/retail center, and several Class 2 bikeways. It is within walking distance of downtown, bus routes, and a train station. Some of the area is in a FEMA flood hazard area but the City’s floodplain management standards allow for safe development in these areas. Due to the availability of parcels suitable to accommodate emergency shelters and proximity to amenities and services, the requirement of a CUP in other zones is not considered a constraint.
Recent state law (AB 139 [2019]) also requires that emergency shelters may require parking for employees only, not clients (or beds). The City is not currently in compliance with this parking requirement and will address this issue in Housing Program HE-3. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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EMPLOYEE AND FARMWORKER HOUSING
The state’s Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code, § 17000 et seq.) govern the standards for the construction, maintenance, use, and occupancy of living quarters, called "employee housing," provided for five or more employees under specified circumstances. Employee housing subject to the Act is privately-operated and does not include government-owned and -operated migrant worker facilities. In general, employee housing is privately-owned housing that houses five or more employees and meets the following:
Living quarters provided in connection with any work, whether or not rent is involved. Housing in a rural area that is:
o Provided by someone who is not an agricultural employer, and o Provided for agricultural workers employed by any agricultural employer.
California Health and Safety Code § 17021.5 generally requires employee housing for six or fewer persons to be permitted by right, without a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), in single-unit zones. The City permits employee housing per Health and Safety Code § 17021.5 in single-unit zones . Distinct from the state definition above, the City’s Zoning Ordinance defines employer-sponsored housing for the purposes of the AUD Program as residential units which are developed, owned, maintained, and initially sold or rented to employees of a local employer (or group of employers) where each residential unit is occupied as a primary residence by a household that includes at least one person who works in the south coast region of Santa Barbara County.
Health and Safety Code § 17021.6 considers agricultural employee housing with no more than 12 units or 36 beds an agricultural land use and no CUP, zoning variance, or other discretionary zoning clearance shall be required of this employee housing that is not required of any other agricultural activity in the same zone. Further, Health and Safety Code § 17021.8 requires streamlined approval for farmworker housing on land zoned primarily for agricultural uses.
The City does not have any zoning districts allowing agricultural uses as a principally permitted use, so these provisions do not generally apply. Agriculture is an allowed use in residential, commercial and office, and manufacturing zones, subject to the standards described in Section 30.185.070 (Agriculture) of the Municipal Code. The City plans to amend the Zoning Ordinance to clarify that agriculture is an accessory use (i.e., incidental and subordinate to the primary use of the lot) in any zone; thus, clarifying that Health and Safety Code § 17021.8 is not applicable. Recognizing that the City’s definition of a family/household noted above, which limits the number of separate rental agreements in a single unit to four, could be considered a barrier, the City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to clarify that employee and farmworker housing is excluded from the Group Residential use classification and will add definitions for employee and farmworker housing consistent with state law. This is addressed in Housing Program HE-3.
SINGLE‐ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS
Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) Units are not a defined use within the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
However, the City allows a variety of residential unit types to provide a range of housing opportunities.
The City does not define SROs specifically because “small units” are treated the same as any other residential unit with the following minimum unit sizes:
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One or more bedroom unit must be a minimum of 400 sq. ft. Studio units must be a minimum of 220 sq. ft.
Affordable efficiency unit or ADU must be a minimum of 150 sq. ft.
The City allows the smallest dwelling unit size allowed by the Health and Safety Code; therefore, SROs are also allowed, even if they are not defined as such.
MANUFACTURED HOMES
The City’s Zoning Ordinance defines a mobile home as including a manufactured home and treats manufactured homes installed on a permanent foundation the same as single-unit residential use.
MOBILE HOME PARKS
Conditional Use Permits are required for mobile home parks in all residential zones. The requirement for a CUP is a reasonable constraint, due to the unique features of parks, such as private infrastructure systems that are developed, operated, and maintained by the park owner, to ensure health and safety for residents.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Section 30.185.040 (Title 30) and Chapter 28.86 (Title 28) of the Municipal Code define ADUs and JADUs and provide standards for development and maintenance in accordance with California Government Code § 65852.2 and § 65852.22. The City has three different types of J/ADUs, and defines each as follows:
ADU– An attached or a detached residential unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residential unit. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation and be located on the same parcel that the primary residential unit is or will be situated. The following categories of accessory dwelling units are subject to specific development standards:
a. Special Accessory Dwelling Unit. These are specific types of smaller accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units with certain size, height, and setback standards described in subsection L [Section 28.86.090], Development Standards for Special Accessory Dwelling Units. Special accessory dwelling units allow for more than one accessory dwelling unit on a lot.
b. Standard Accessory Dwelling Unit. These are typically larger accessory dwelling units with size, height, and setback standards generally described in subsection G [Section
28.86.055], Development Standards for Standard Accessory Dwelling Units. Standard accessory dwelling units do not allow for more than one accessory dwelling unit on a lot.
JADU – A unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within the structure of an existing or proposed single residential unit. A junior accessory dwelling unit may include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the existing or proposed single residential unit and includes an efficiency kitchen. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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ADUs are allowed in any zone that allows residential use, located on a lot developed or proposed to be developed with one or more residential units. Certain locations such as lots within the High Fire Hazard Area (Extreme Foothill and Foothill) are limited to the smaller “special” ADUs (800 sq. ft. maximum), as described above.
JADUs are allowed in any zone that allows residential use and shall be located on a lot developed with an existing or proposed single residential unit.
Since the initial ADU Ordinance adoption in 2018, the City has been processing amendments to the ADU Ordinance to comply with changes in state law. The most recent amendments were adopted by City Council in 2023. These amendments to Title 30 and Title 28 include clean-up items for ease of use, new or changed content necessitated by Senate Bill 897 and Assembly Bill 221, effective January 1, 2023, and new or changed content to local standards intended to facilitate the production of ADUs, some of which are noted in Housing Element Program HE-6: Facilitate Production of Accessory Dwelling Units. In compliance with state law, the City submitted the ADU Ordinance and any amendments to HCD. HCD has confirmed receipt but has not submitted written comments to the City.
Amendments to the Title 28 (Coastal) ADU Ordinance are submitted to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for certification as a Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment. Since 2021, the CCC has approved two LCP amendments for ADUs.
Constraint and/or Future Program
The preceding discussion of Land Use Controls has identified some potential constraints on housing production. Where noted above, the constraints are addressed in Housing Plan Programs section.
LOCAL PROCESSING AND PERMIT PROCEDURES
There are three types of processing and permitting procedures that may apply to a housing project described in Table 35 below. In compliance with the Permit Streamlining Act, the City notifies an applicant within 30 days if their project can be deemed complete. The steps involved for approval is included in Appendix F, Table F-4: City Processing and Permit Procedures. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Table 35: Processing and Permitting Procedures
MINISTERIAL OBJECTIVE DISCRETIONARY
Design Review
MULTI‐UNIT AND MIXED‐USE HOUSING
The City Charter established the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) and Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC). The purview for each review body is included in the Charter and cannot be revised without a majority vote of the people. Most new or expanded multi-unit housing developments require some level of design review (Full Board, Consent Agenda, or Administrative Approval). If the project is located in El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District Overlay Zone, one of the Historic Districts, or involves a designated or potential historic resource, the project is subject to review and approval by the HLC. All other two- or multi-unit housing projects are subject to review and approval by the ABR.
SINGLE‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL
New or altered single-unit residential development is subject to review and approval by the Single Family Design Board (SFDB) if any of the following criteria are met:
No discretionary decisions and
generally no public hearing. Must
apply objective standards
Limited public hearings. Decision
based on objective review criteria
Approval of overall project or
exceptions requires a discretionary
decision
Appeal of permit or ministerial
design review (SB-35) only
Appeal of permit, administrative
action, and CEQA
Appeal of permit, discretionary
action, and CEQA
Mandated planning approval
timelines of 90-180 days
Planning approval timelines per
Permit Streamlining Act
Planning approval timelines per
Permit Streamlining Act
Does not require CEQA review Requires CEQA review Requires CEQA review Examples of ministerial projects:
Single-Unit homes, if one-story, less
than 17 ft in height, less than 4,000
sq. ft., and not historic or in a special
design district. Other projects are
exempt from discretionary review if
qualify for administrative review
Two-Unit Residential eligible for SB9 streamlining
Multi-Unit affordable housing
projects eligible for SB-35
streamlining (requires one
ministerial design review hearing)
Supportive Housing eligible for AB2162 streamlining
Low-Barrier Navigation Centers
Accessory Dwelling Units; if no
coastal permit is required and
meeting all administrative review
criteria
Conversions, additions, or
alterations to existing buildings, if
qualify for administrative review
Examples of objective projects:
New housing project that complies
with applicable objective General
Plan, zoning, subdivision, and
design review standards eligible for
SB-330 streamlining:
Multi-Unit Residential (2+units)
Mixed-Use (min. 2/3 residential)
Examples of discretionary
projects:
New Nonresidential
New housing project Multi-Unit
Residential or Mixed-Use that “opts
out” of objective standards
Single-Unit homes subject to
discretionary review
Historic Resources
Land use decision or entitlement:
(Coastal Development Permit,
Conditional Use Permit,
Development Plan, Subdivision,
Modification, etc.)
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The property is located in the Hillside Design District and it is over 20 percent slope or over 50 cubic yards (cy) of grading is proposed.
The property is located in the Mission Area Special Design District or the Lower Riviera Survey Area.
The project is over 17 feet in height or two+ stories. The project exceeds 4,000 square feet.
The project requires an FAR Modification.
The project is a manufactured home.
The building is relocated from another lot.
Over 250 cubic yards of grading is proposed (in areas outside the Hillside Design District). The project is also proposing three or more parking spaces, or uncovered parking, or over 500 square feet of detached accessory buildings at the same time. The project requires an exception to standards (I.e., a minor zoning exception). The project is proposing certain retaining walls at the same time (walls over six feet in height, or walls on 15 percent slope, or on an ocean bluff, or in the front yard greater than 42 inches in height).
DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS
The Municipal Code and related HLC, ABR, and SFDB guidelines establish a two-part project approval process: Concept Review and Final Design Approval. Generally, applicants of larger or unique projects submit for Concept Review first to receive general comments on the mass, bulk, scale, and architectural style of the project. No formal action is taken at the hearing and recommendations are considered advisory only. Concept Review at both the applicable design review body and the Planning Commission prior to the application being deemed complete is optional except for the following projects:
1. Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay Zone
2. AUD Program projects when all of the following conditions apply:
The project does not require another discretionary approval by the Planning Commission; The project site has a combined lot area of 15,000 square feet or greater; and The project site includes a lot within a High Density Residential land use designation or under the Priority Housing Overlay.
Once an application has been deemed complete and an environmental determination has been made, a project is scheduled for Project Design Approval (PDA). A decision to grant Project Design Approval by the HLC, ABR, or SFDB is an appealable action. After PDA is granted and construction details, colors, materials, lighting, and landscaping are finalized, the project returns to the HLC, ABR, or SFDB for Final Approval. That action is also appealable, but grounds for appeal are limited to whether the final plans substantially conform to the plans that received PDA. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
The City’s Design Guidelines establish a set of goals, values, and qualities by which projects are evaluated in design review. The existing Design Guidelines provide detailed directions for specific areas and types of projects. Not all guideline techniques or approaches are appropriate or practical for every project. In cases where sets of multiple design guidelines apply, the guidelines are viewed as “layers” where the most specific guidelines take precedence.
While the guidelines listed below are mainly subjective, the City has adopted architectural design criteria for ADUs in the Zoning Ordinance and Objective Design Standards for Streamlined Housing Projects specifically for Senate Bill 35 projects. Housing Element Program HE-7: Objective Design Standards will provide an objective standard review option for all multi-unit housing, anticipated for adoption in 2024.
Board and Commission Guidelines: The Architectural Board of Review, Historic Landmarks Commission, and Single Family Design Board each have General Design Guidelines and Meeting Procedures documents. They are intended to clarify the goals and policies. Infill Design Guidelines were added to the HLC and ABR Guidelines in 2017. Other guidelines specific to residential development include the following:
El Pueblo Viejo (EPV) Landmark District Guidelines. These guidelines clarify the design criteria and procedures for the EPV district.
Haley-Milpas Design Manual. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist developers in the HaleyMilpas area to improve the appearance of their properties, provide a more human-scaled and pedestrian environment, and encourage mixed-use.
Lower Riviera Special Design District Guidelines. These guidelines direct development within and adjacent to the Bungalow District to be compatible with the existing architectural character.
Upper State Street Area Design Guidelines. These guidelines describe different neighborhoods and provide guidance for compatibility and landscaping.
Urban Design Guidelines. These apply to the urban grid to ensure that traditional design principles and pedestrian friendly design concepts are incorporated into development.
Single Family Residence Design Guidelines. These guidelines assist the public in designing compatible single unit residential development.
Historic Resources Design Guidelines. For owners of historic resources, these guidelines assist in development of successful alterations, additions, and new construction next to a historic resource.
PROJECT COMPATIBILITY FINDINGS
Findings required for approval of the design of a proposed single unit or multi-unit and mixed-use housing project are specific to the review body responsible for approval or denial.
HLC and ABR Project Compatibility Findings
a. Consistency with Design Guidelines. The design of the project is consistent with design guidelines applicable to the location of the project within the City; b. Compatible with Architectural Character of City and Neighborhood. The design of the project is compatible with the desirable architectural qualities and characteristics which 2023-2031 Housing Element
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are distinctive of Santa Barbara and of the particular neighborhood surrounding the project;
c. Appropriate Size, Mass, Bulk, Height, and Scale. The size, mass, bulk, height, and scale of the project is appropriate for its location and its neighborhood; d. Sensitivity to Adjacent Landmarks and Historic Resources. The design of the project is appropriately sensitive to adjacent Federal, State, or City Landmarks or other nearby designated historic resources, including City structures of merit, sites, or natural features;
e. Public Views of the Ocean and Mountains. The design of the project responds appropriately to established scenic public vistas; or
f. Use of Open Space and Landscaping. The project includes an appropriate amount of open space and landscaping.
SFDB Neighborhood Preservation Findings
a. Consistency and Appearance. The proposed development is consistent with the scenic character of the City and will enhance the appearance of the neighborhood. b. Compatibility. The proposed development is compatible with the neighborhood, and its size, bulk, and scale are appropriate to the site and neighborhood. c. Quality Architecture and Materials. The proposed buildings and structures are designed with quality architectural details. The proposed materials and colors maintain the natural appearance of the ridgeline or hillside.
d. Trees. The proposed project does not include the removal of or significantly impact any designated Specimen Tree, Historic Tree or Landmark Tree. The proposed project, to the maximum extent feasible, preserves and protects healthy, non-invasive trees with a trunk diameter of four inches or more measured four feet above natural grade. If the project includes the removal of any healthy, non-invasive tree with a diameter of four inches or more measured four feet above natural grade, the project includes a plan to mitigate the impact of such removal by planting replacement trees in accordance with applicable tree replacement ratios.
e. Health, Safety, and Welfare. The public health, safety, and welfare are appropriately protected and preserved.
f. Good Neighbor Guidelines. The project generally complies with the Good Neighbor Guidelines regarding privacy, landscaping, noise and lighting. g. Public Views. The development, including proposed structures and grading, preserves significant public scenic views of and from the hillside.
NOTICING
Most new or expanded multi-unit residential and new single-unit developments require a mailed notice prior to the initial Concept Review for the project and again when the project is scheduled for Project Design Approval. The notice is sent at least ten days in advance of the hearing to owners and tenants within 300 feet of the project site. Although this noticing may be viewed as extending the application process, the City believes that by engaging interested parties at the early stages in the process, this 2023-2031 Housing Element
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ultimately helps to reduce appeals at the Final Approval stage and the resulting delays; thus, this does not pose an undue constraint to housing production.
OBJECTIVE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR MULTI‐UNIT HOUSING The state legislature has enacted several bills that require jurisdictions to adopt objective design standards. First, under the Housing Accountability Act, a housing development may only be denied or reduced in density if it is inconsistent with objective standards. Senate Bill 330, Housing Crisis Act of 2019, prohibits cities and counties from adopting standards that reduce residential development capacity and imposing or enforcing new design standards established on or after January 1, 2020, that are not objective design standards. The City has not denied or reduced the density of a housing development or imposed or enforced new design guidelines that are not objective since the passage of these acts.
In 2021, the City adopted Objective Design Standards for Streamlined Housing Projects proposed under Senate Bill 35 (see below). As a follow up effort, the City is currently working on objective design and development standards for multi-unit housing, including two-unit residential, multi-unit residential, mixed-use with at least 2/3 footage designated for residential, transitional and supportive housing, emergency shelters, and employee housing that meets all eligibility criteria per the Government Code.
Adoption of these standards is included in Housing Element Program HE-7: Objective Design Standards; anticipated in 2024. The City is also exploring amendments to multi-unit housing standards to further incentivize housing and create more objective standards, including adaptive reuse, revising open yard, landscaping, and parking standards, and creating a land use approval from the Planning Commission. These amendments are included within Program HE-1: Facilitate Conversion of Nonresidential Buildings to Housing, HE-5: Process Improvements, and HE-10: Multi-Unit Housing Program .
OBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR SINGLE‐UNIT DEVELOPMENT For single-unit housing, there is no plan for additional objective design standards, other than the recently adopted ordinance to implement SB 9 (2021) (Government Code § 65852.21) in single-unit zones (SBMC 30.185.440) and the objective design standards for Accessory Dwelling Units applicable to single-unit development. Although this could be considered a constraint, the City contains very few vacant parcels to accommodate new single-unit development that would potentially benefit from additional objective development standards. The overwhelming majority of single-unit projects subject to discretionary review by the SFDB involve additions, remodels, or demolition and rebuild of existing homes and do not generate net new units. Therefore, the effort to develop additional objective standards for the purposes of producing new single-unit residences would outweigh the benefit, and it is not recommended.
CITY CHARTER
The City’s Charter (Sections 814 and 817) mandates design review and approval authority to the ABR and HLC. This means that even when Objective Design Standards are adopted, the ABR or HLC still need to approve or disapprove multi-unit housing projects.
Analysis of Design Review
The findings listed above establish the standards of decision-making to promote development certainty.
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boards have and will continue to approve housing projects using these findings. In accordance with the Housing Accountability Act, if a proposed housing project complies with all objective zoning, subdivision, and design review standards, the City will not deny a housing project or impose a condition that the project be developed at a lower density unless a finding is made that the project would have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety and there is no feasible method to mitigate or avoid the adverse impact. Section 30.145.040 of the Zoning Ordinance prohibits denial or conditioning of affordable housing projects (i.e., 20 percent of the total units are sold or rented to low-income households, and the balance of the units are sold or rented to either low- or moderate-income households) unless the decision-making body finds, based upon substantial evidence, a specific adverse impact or other findings pursuant to Government Code § 65589.5.
As noted above, the City complies with the requirements of SB 35 to decrease the development processing time and has established objective criteria, including design standards, for project approval.
The City has also adopted objective criteria for ADUs and two-unit residential development per SB 9.
The City is currently proceeding with Program HE-7: Objective Design Standards for projects of two or more units to provide certainty for developers who wish to design projects in accordance with objective standards. Program HE-7 includes amending the Zoning Ordinance to adopt objective design review process and findings of approval for projects using the objective design standards.
Subjecting new and expanded residential projects to multiple concept reviews and two appealable actions by either the HLC, ABR, or SFDB could extend the overall timeline for a project to receive required Planning approvals and add unforeseen costs. This could be considered a constraint and is addressed in the Housing Program HE-5: Process Improvements.
Environmental Review
Regarding environmental review, in most cases the City uses the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) categorical infill exemption for projects that are less than five acres in size and do not require a land use/zoning change. For projects receiving approval from a design board, staff makes the determination if the CEQA exemption applies within 30 days of the application being deemed complete.
In rare cases where a Categorical Exemption doesn’t apply, the City looks at other options and completes an environmental checklist.
The City identifies required technical studies and other potential environmental issues as part of the project application review stage, which can result in requiring additional environmental information or case-by-case studies as part of project completeness. The purpose is to conform with the Master Environmental Assessment process and General Plan policies, and to ensure issues are identified early and can fit within a CEQA exemption. This step can result in delays prior to the application being deemed complete and is likely reflected in the time it takes to get from application submittal to a complete application, but it eliminates environmental delay after the project is complete. This could be considered a constraint and is addressed in Housing Program HE-9: Resource Protection and Development Certainty. This program would replace certain case-by-case studies with cumulative areawide analyses that cover multiple potential projects at one time, such as establishing measurable inland creek setback standards to protect public health and safety and riparian habitat. This would reduce the need for site-specific technical studies and streamline the environmental review process for projects, while ensuring the protection of environmental resources. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Coastal Zone/Coastal Development Permit
If the project is in the Coastal Zone and meets the definition of “development”, it will also require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) prior to the building permit unless it is categorically excluded from the CDP requirements per the City’s Categorical Exclusion Order as follows:
Conversion of any existing multi-unit residential structure to a time-share project; Construction of one single unit residence on an existing vacant parcel in the area designated as Non-Appealable on the Post-LCP Certification Permit and Appeal Jurisdiction Map; and
Demolition and reconstruction of an existing single unit residence in the non-appealable zone (unless the lot contains certain coastal resources).
Projects proposed on coastal bluff lots, which are all zoned for low density, single-unit development, require a CDP and are charged higher permit fees due to the potential hazard of bluff failure coupled with sea level rise and required coastal bluff edge development buffer calculations. Most bluff-top parcels are developed with single-unit homes and the majority of permit applications are for remodeling or demo rebuilds.
Coastal Development Permit review is conducted by either the Planning Commission, the Staff Hearing Officer, or the California Coastal Commission (where the Coastal Commission retains permit authority).
A CDP may take six to 12 months or longer to be processed, but the CDP is processed concurrently with other required discretionary applications and does not add to the timeline. As noted earlier, the AUD Program is not certified for use in the Coastal Zone and the City processes very few, if any, multiunit development projects in the Coastal Zone.
In 2022, the City streamlined the review process for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the Coastal Zone that require a CDP. Now, fewer departments review the application, and a simplified staff report has been launched to speed the process of getting on the Staff Hearing Officer’s agenda. Also, no public hearing is required per Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 28.44.110.C.
While the City adheres to Permit Streamlining Act timelines for its local approvals process, it is also required to comply with CEQA and the Coastal Act processes and procedures and has little control over the time required to meet statutory requirements for review and analysis of projects that are subject to these state laws.
Locally Adopted Ordinances and Policies
NONRESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
In 2013, the City adopted a Nonresidential Growth Management Program (GMP) in the Zoning Ordinances (Title 28 and Title 30) to prioritize the development of housing over nonresidential development. The GMP restricts the amount of new nonresidential floor area from 2013 to 2033 to 1.35 million square feet. Allowable nonresidential floor area is allocated from the following categories:
Community Benefit (project with a broad public benefit) - 600,000 sq. ft. Small Addition Floor Area – 400,000 sq. ft.
Vacant Property – 350,000 sq. ft.
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Property owners faced with limited commercial development potential under the GMP are encouraged to pursue mixed-use development projects. The GMP allocations for nonresidential floor area have been adequate and there are many successful examples of buildings with retail/commercial space on the ground floor with residential units above.
POPULATION GOAL
In 1975, the City adopted a General Plan amendment with the objective of reducing the potential population of the City to approximately 85,000 to achieve a population that could be sustained by existing and proposed resources, such as water supply, traffic and parking capacity, and wastewater treatment capacity. At the time, existing zoning provided for a buildout population of approximately 145,000. The objective was implemented by limited potential residential buildout and downzoning. The downzoning was the initial step towards a concept which was later referred to as “living within resources”. Since then, it has been acknowledged that a limit on the number of residents or the number of dwelling units in the City is not desired or acceptable and the policy has shifted to balancing jobs and housing, implementing the GMP, and preserving and creating residential opportunities for all economic groups. City Charter Section 1507 (approved by election held in 1982) sets the goal of land development not exceeding public services and physical and natural resources and balancing residential and commercial development, without reference to a population goal.
SHORT‐TERM RENTALS
The City does not have a short-term rental ordinance but it regulates short-term rentals as hotels and allows them in zones where hotel uses are allowed. In the inland portion of the City, this includes the Residential Multi-Unit and Hotel (R-MH), Commercial Restricted (C-R), Commercial General (C-G), and Manufacturing Commercial (M-C) zones. In the Coastal Zone portion of the City, this includes the HotelMotel-Multiple Residence (R-4), Restricted Commercial (C-L, C-P, and C-1), Commercial (C-2), Commercial Manufacturing (C-M), Hotel and Related Commerce I (HRC-1), Hotel and Related Commerce II (HRC-2), Hotel and Related Commerce II / Ocean-Oriented Commercial (HRC-2/OC), and Light Manufacturing (M-1) zones.
Short-term rentals are currently considered a nonresidential use, and applicants must go through a Change of Use process that varies in complexity based on the number of existing residential units, the amount of square footage converted from residential to nonresidential use, and whether the property is in the Coastal Zone portion of the City. Projects with more than one unit are subject to the Hotel Conversion Ordinance. Short-term rentals must have a business license, are subject to the square footage limits in the City’s Nonresidential Growth Management Program, must have at least one parking space per bedroom, are not eligible for the residential permit parking program, must comply with zoning setbacks, are subject to the Tenant Displacement Assistance Ordinance, may need to have a separate water meter and pay commercial rates, and may need to go through a discretionary review permitting process.
INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) is intended to encourage housing opportunities for a broad range of households with varying income levels, promote the City’s goal to add affordable housing units to the existing housing stock, and increase the number of rental units for moderate-income households and availability of housing for middle- and upper-middle-income households. Further, the IHO 2023-2031 Housing Element
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encouraged the development of housing for first-time homebuyers, particularly moderate- and middleincome households.
Owner Housing
The City adopted its first IHO for ownership projects in 2004 (Chapter 30.160). The City’s ownership IHO requires projects with ten or more units (excluding any density bonus units), provide at least 15 percent of the total units as inclusionary units offered for sale at prices affordable to middle-income (up to 160 percent AMI) or upper-middle-income (up to 200 percent AMI) households or, in the case of residential lot subdivisions, for the construction of single unit homes for upper-middle income households. The inclusionary units are in addition to density allowed by right on the site, and therefore a lot area modification is not required to exceed density.
In 2009, the IHO was amended to require in-lieu fees for projects of two to nine units or the developer can provide one unit as an owner-occupied middle-income restricted unit. The in-lieu fee is pro-rated based on the number and size of the proposed units. Voluntarily affordable projects with 30 percent of units deed restricted for upper-middle income (or lower) households and employer-sponsored housing projects are exempt from inclusionary requirements. Incentives to provide units on site rather than pay the in-lieu fee include a density bonus for the number of on-site inclusionary units without the need to separately apply for a lot area modification and applicants may request modifications to facilitate increased density, including, but not limited to, parking, setbacks, open yard, and solar access requirements. Any additional owner-occupied units authorized and approved as a density bonus under the state Density Bonus law or the City’s Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures are not counted in determining the required number of inclusionary units.
Rental Housing
In 2019, City Council adopted Inclusionary Housing requirements for the AUD rental projects (Chapter
30.150) to require: 1) AUD Program projects of ten units or more to provide at least ten percent of the units onsite at rental rates affordable to moderate-income level households; and 2) AUD Program projects with five to nine units to build one unit affordable to moderate-income level households or pay a $25 per square foot in-lieu fee. Voluntarily affordable projects with 100 percent of units deed restricted for lower-income households (excluding manager’s units) and employer-sponsored housing projects are exempt from inclusionary requirements. Projects submitted under the AUD program are provided additional density, height, and reduced zoning standards (parking, setbacks, open yard) as incentives. Any additional rental units authorized and approved as a density bonus under the state Density Bonus law or the City’s Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures are not counted in determining the required number of moderate-income units.
As shown on Chart 7 below, adoption of the IHO for AUD projects did not significantly impact the number of applications submitted. Since July 2019, 11 rental inclusionary units have been approved and 25 are pending.
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CHART 7: AUD APPLICATIONS SINCE 2013
Collected in-lieu fees are allocated to a reserve account intended to increase and improve the supply of deed-restricted affordable housing and ensure compliance with the City’s Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures. Since Fiscal Year 2011, a total of $768,959 has been added to the account and the current (November 2022) fund balance was ~$675,000.
Senate Bill 35 (2017) Mandated Streamlining for Affordable Housing SB 35 (2017) requires jurisdictions that have failed to approve housing projects sufficient to meet their state-mandated RHNA to provide streamlined, ministerial entitlement process for housing developments that incorporate affordable housing. Per SB 35 (2017), review and approval of proposed projects with at least 50 percent affordability must be based on objective standards and cannot be based on subjective design guidelines.
The local jurisdiction must approve the project within 60 days of submittal of an application for 150 or fewer housing units, or within 90 days of submittal of an application for than 150 units.
The Zoning Ordinance (Title 30) was amended in 2021 to include procedures for SB 35 projects (Affordable Housing Streamlined Approval) and the City adopted Objective Design Standards for Streamlined Housing Projects. A Supplemental Application with eligibility and design standards checklists is available online for SB-35 projects. At the time of this analysis, the City had not received any applications for projects that were eligible for SB 35 (2017) streamlining.
Senate Bill 330 (2019) Processing Procedures
SB 330 (2019), the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, established specific requirements and limitations on development application procedures in “affected cities”. Santa Barbara is considered an affected city.
The bill allows a housing developer to submit a “preliminary application” to a local agency for a housing development project. Submittal of a preliminary application allows a developer to provide a specific subset of information on the proposed housing development before providing the full amount of information required by the local government for a housing development application. Submittal of the preliminary application secures the applicable development standards and fees adopted at that time. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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The project is considered vested and all fees and standards are frozen, unless the project changes substantially (by 20 percent or more of the residential unit count or square footage) or the applicant fails to timely submit a complete application as required by the Permit Streamlining Act.
Each jurisdiction may develop their own preliminary application form or may use the application form developed by HCD. In addition, the bill limits the application review process to 30 days, for projects less than 150 units, and 60 days, for projects greater than 150 units, and no more than five total public hearings, including Planning Commission, design review, and City Council.
The City has established a Preliminary Housing Development (SB 330) pre-application form online for residential development pursuant to SB 330 (2019).
Average Time from Application Submittal to Planning Approval MULTI‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Based on data from 2013-2021, the average time for projects proposed under the AUD program (multiunit rental and ownership, total of 73) from application submittal to planning approval is 322 days. This includes the time when projects are undergoing concept review or when the plans are returned to the applicant for more information before the applications are deemed complete and scheduled for a hearing. Once applications are deemed complete, the City adheres to Permit Streamlining Act timelines.
Table 36 depicts a sample development timeline for a residential project which includes 14 new duplex units in an AUD Medium High Zone, outside of the Coastal Zone. This discretionary project required Concept Review and Final Design Approval by the Architectural Board of Review. The application took 307 days from the application received to project design approval. The applicant applied for a building permit in May 2021 and it was issued in February 2022.
Table 36: Example Multi‐Unit Residential Permit Approval Timeline
STATUS EXAMPLE TIMELINE
Application Received 11/20/2018
ABR Concept Review 1/14/2019
Applicant Revised Plans Jan - April 2019
ABR Concept Review (Continued) 4/8/2019
Applicant Revised Plans April 2019
ABR Concept Review (Continued) 5/6/2019
Applicant Revised Plans May - Sept 2019
Application Complete 8/13/2019
ABR Project Design Review 9/9/2019
ABR Project Design Review (Continued) 9/23/2019
Applicant Finalized Plans Sept - Dec 2019
Final Review and Project Design 12/16/2019
Approval Granted
City of Santa Barbara. 2022; BAE, 2022.
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SINGLE‐UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Based on data from 2013-2022, the average time from application submittal to approval of a single-unit home is 193 days (total of 47 projects). This includes the time when plans are returned to the applicant for more information before they are deemed complete. Table 37 depicts the approval timeline for a two-story, single-unit project in the Hillside Design District and located in the non-appealable area of the Coastal Zone. The project included an attached 420 sq. ft. ADU. This discretionary project required Final Design Approval by the Single Family Design Board and was categorically excluded from needing a Coastal Development Permit. While the original approval time was five months, the applicant subsequently revised the plans twice and returned to SFDB for final project design approval, adding eight months to the approval timeline.
Table 37: Example Single‐Unit Residential Permit Approval Timeline
STATUS EXAMPLE TIMELINE
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Based on data since 2017, the average time from application submittal to a building permit for ADUs is 232 days (415 permits). As a ministerial permit, details are not available for these projects. City staff adhere to ADU building permit approval timelines specified in state law. Staff have noted that nearly all ADU permit applications are initially returned to the applicant because the application is incomplete.
Housing Element Program HE-6 will evaluate the ADU permit application process and look for ways to clarify and simplify the application process to reduce the time it takes to get a building permit, including use of pre-approved plans.
Constraint and/or Future Program
The review of local permit and processing procedures has identified a limited number of local regulations that could be construed as undue constraints on housing production. The City is in the process of streamlining the permit process for single unit homes by reducing the types of projects that require design review by the SFDB. Fewer projects on the SFDB agenda means shorter wait times to get on an SFDB agenda for the projects that require discretionary review. This effort may facilitate the Application Received 2/21/2017
SFDB Concept Review 3/06/2017
Applicant Revised Plan Mar – July 2017
SFDB Second Concept Review 8/07/2017
SFDB Final Project Design Approval
Granted 8/21/2017
Applicant Revised Plan Sept 2017 – Mar 2018
Plans Resubmitted 3/15/2018
SFDB Final Review 4/02/2018
SFDB Final Approval 4/23/2018
Applicant Revised Plan April – Sept 2018
SFDB Consent Review After Final (for
details)
10/08/2018
City of Santa Barbara 2023.
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development of new single unit dwellings by reducing the amount of time the design review process takes.
The City is either already in the process of making changes to address constraints or it will address the constraint in the Housing Plan Programs section, as noted above.
ON‐ AND OFF‐SITE IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS
The City requires new, expanded, or redeveloped residential projects to comply with certain on-and offsite improvement standards for quality of life, environmental, or public health and safety reasons.
On‐Site Improvement Standards
On-site standards include, but are not limited to, the undergrounding of any utility and/or Cable TV connections; visual screening for mechanical equipment; capturing storm water; enclosed bicycle parking; covered vehicle parking (for single-unit dwellings and duplexes); and dimension of driveways.
Certain standards can be waived; for example, the Municipal Code provides hardship waivers for undergrounding of utilities when the cost of placing existing utility services underground is disproportionate to the total cost of construction.
Subdivision Improvement Standards
The City’s Subdivision Ordinance (Title 27) carries out the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act and regulates the design and improvement of the subdivision of land. Title 27 is applied to subdivision of new land, urban lot splits per SB 9, new condominiums, and condo conversions. Because there are few large remaining undeveloped parcels in the City, land that is subdivided physically into more than two to four single-unit lots is rare. The Staff Hearing Officer is the Advisory Agency for most subdivisions of four parcels or fewer, the Planning Commission is the Advisory Agency for larger subdivisions.
In 1975, City Council adopted by resolution Interim Subdivision Design and Improvement Standards that are still in use. They include objective standards for flood control, grading, lighting, lots and blocks, monuments, streets and roads, and utilities. Certain subdivision standards can be waived upon a finding that the waiver “will be in the best interest of the City and will improve the quality of the design of the subdivision” made by the Planning Commission or City Council.
The City requires each lot created by a subdivision to front upon a public street constructed to applicable standards (minimum width of 32 feet), unless the lot is served by a private road, lane, drive or driveway which serves no more than two lots, or the Planning Commission or City Council waives the requirement.
Bicycle Parking
Parking regulations are detailed in the Land Use Controls section. In addition to automobile parking, the City requires one covered and secure bicycle parking space per unit for multi-unit housing projects of three or more units. This requirement helps the City meet sustainable transportation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The number of bicycle parking spaces can be reduced or waived if the Public Works Director finds that:
Adequate site space is not available on an existing development to provide bicycle parking; Reduced bicycle parking is justified by reasonably anticipated demand; or 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Other criteria based on unusual or specific circumstances of the particular case as deemed appropriate by the Public Works Director.
Storm Water Management Program
The City's Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) details how the City will protect water quality by listing a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Measurable Goals that the City must meet each year. Urban storm water runoff is the single largest source of surface water pollution in Santa Barbara and the City has been implementing a SWMP since 2006 in compliance with the prior General Permit from the state. All projects that propose new and/or replaced impervious area or qualify as a public improvement in the right-of-way are reviewed for compliance with the SWMP requirements. Four project tiers require different levels of post-construction storm water BMP implementation based on square footage of new or replaced impervious surface.
The SWMP was amended in 2021, which resulted in new on-site improvement requirements, such as requiring most projects to install at least one basic permanent storm water protection BMP. Although the new rules capture more Tier 1 and 2 projects (1-499 sq. ft. and 500-1,999 sq. ft., respectively), BMPs for these tiers can be achieved fairly easily and for minimal cost. Examples of basic BMPs for Tier 1 and 2 projects include disconnecting downspouts to vegetated areas or a rainwater collection system, installing a rainwater garden, and installing rainwater barrels.
Tier 3 and 4 projects must meet storm water runoff requirements and use BMPs that target identified pollutants of concern and pollutants identified in the Clean Water Act if the project contributes runoff to one or more of the impaired receiving waters within the City. The new rules are less restrictive in some ways for Tier 3 (2,000-14,999 sq. ft.); for example, up to five percent of the impervious area on each parcel is exempt from the Tier 3 treatment requirement. A recent example of a proposed Tier 3 BMP includes permeable pavers and stormwater runoff collection systems to catch basins inlet, and landscape planter areas for the site and on the roof (project with three merged parcels and 78 residential units). The new Tier 4 (15,000 sq. ft. or more of new or replaced impervious surface) is more restrictive. To date, no Tier 4 projects have received building permits. Strategies to comply with the Tier 4 requirements are similar to Tier 3 and include routing runoff from impervious areas to biofiltrations BMPs incorporated into pervious landscaped areas of the sites or a combination of permeable pavement and underground infiltration BMPs (e.g., infiltration trench). SWMP requirements can be waived when the applicant can demonstrate that all available storm water runoff BMPs are infeasible.
Off‐Site Improvement Standards
Most development in Santa Barbara is urban infill development on sites that were previously occupied by prior uses. Therefore, off-site improvements to serve the project are generally limited to project frontage sidewalk and curb improvements. Off-site improvements are less burdensome in the City of Santa Barbara than in the surrounding suburban and rural jurisdictions with vacant land, where existing infrastructure and improvements are limited or do not exist at all.
Residential and mixed-use projects in all zones (except areas zoned for single-units and duplexes) that abut a public street or right-of-way for public street purposes are required to dedicate and improve onehalf of the public street or right-of-way to meet street improvement standards detailed in Title 22 of the Municipal Code. No improvements are required if the abutting street is satisfactory in its right-of-way width including existing street pavement, curbs and gutters, parkway and sidewalks. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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New or improved street lights are currently required on a case-by-case basis. The City is in the process of drafting Municipal Code amendments to codify objective standards for street lights that would require new or improved street lights for residential projects of three or more units if the lot is located at a corner of two or more intersecting public streets, has 50 percent or more of any given street frontage, or is a mid-block project site with at least 100-feet of street frontage. The cost of a new street light is approximately $10,000.
Tree planting within parkways or tree wells may be required in accordance with the Master Street Tree Plan.
Constraint and/or Future Program
The City of Santa Barbara does not charge development impact fees to defray all or a portion of the cost of public facilities related to projects. By comparison, several nearby cities charge a variety of development impact fees for public administration, parks, streets, libraries, etc. which add approximately $12,000 - $16,000 per unit to the cost of multi-unit projects. Some of these cities also charge Quimby Fees for residential subdivisions, which raises the per unit cost for multi-unit development substantially (approximately $16,000 - $28,000 per unit)14. Therefore, the cost of the City’s required on-and off-site improvements are offset by the City’s overall lower fees. Furthermore, applicants can apply for waivers from certain standards as noted above. Relief from certain standards can also be granted per the City’s modifications procedures. This includes modifications to parking and other modifications necessary to construct a housing project containing affordable residential units.
Most of the on-and off-site improvements are standard requirements and do not constrain the development of housing. Regarding covered parking, the City is proposing removal of this standard as part of a package of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (discussed above). While compliance with SWMP is sometimes cited as problematic by applicants, particularly for redevelopment projects in the City’s downtown core where buildings occupy most if not all of the lot area, compliance is required by the state General Permit, as well as additional requirements set by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the examples above show that compliance is achievable.
OTHER CITY REGULATIONS
Aside from land use controls and project review and permitting processes, some other City regulations can impact housing development.
Natural Gas Infrastructure Prohibition
Natural gas is prohibited in newly constructed buildings within the City of Santa Barbara as of January 1, 2022. In some cases, significant rehabilitation is defined as a new building. More information is available here: https://sustainability.santabarbaraca.gov/climate-actions. Elimination of the need to provide natural gas connections to homes and to pipe homes for natural gas will reduce construction costs for new housing; thus, this Municipal Code requirement will not act as a constraint on new housing production.
14 City of Goleta DIF Schedules FY 2022-2023, City of Carpinteria Development Impact Mitigation Fee Schedule 2022-2023, City of Lompoc 2023-2024 Impact Fees Effective July 1, 2023. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Application of Building Codes
The City of Santa Barbara generally adopts the state’s Building Code as required, with some local amendments. Local amendments are typically kept to a minimum and are designed to address local conditions. For example, in 2019, the City coordinated adoption of the Building Code with adoption of the state and international Fire Code to eliminate potential conflicts and incorporate administrative, climatic, geologic, and topographic amendments that promote safe, sustainable, and accessible development.
In 2022, the State completed amendments to the codes, which the City adopted by reference with a couple of local amendments from the 2019 code adoption. As in the past, the local amendments to the code are kept to a minimum and are coordinated with the City Fire Department. This cycle, the City adopted minor edits to the Building and Fire Board of Appeals procedures, fire protection systems, and high fire hazard area construction requirements. There is no evidence that the minor local building code amendments impacts housing supply.
Residential code enforcement is almost entirely complaint driven, rarely from City-identified health, safety, or general welfare violations. Enforcement staff refers affected renters to the City’s Rental Housing Mediation Program staff or local nonprofits, such as Legal Aid Foundation, when appropriate.
Planning and Building and Safety staff assist in resolution of violations with meetings, public counter visits, phone, and email assistance in identifying options for correction of code violations.
Fees
The City charges a modest level of Planning Application and building permit fees which are set at levels to cover the City’s costs of providing the necessary services to new development projects. Importantly, the City does not charge any development impact fees for community infrastructure such as roads, public buildings and facilities, parks and open space, or utility infrastructure. In addition to City fees, the Santa Barbara Unified School District has adopted the levying of these fees in accordance with Assembly Bill 2926, Statutes of 1986, State of California. For residential development projects, the fee is $3.79 per square foot.
Following are fee amount samples for representative single-unit, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), multiunit housing projects, and other planning fees. These fees are based on specific projects and serve as one example of planning application and building permit fees applied to housing development. The fees are examples only and are not intended to determine actual fees for a project.
Not included in these fee amount samples are fees associated with water and sewer connections (i.e., water and sewer capacity charge, water meter install, and sewer lateral install, not including contractor charges). These fees vary depending on multiple factors. Water and sewer connection fees for a sample multi-unit project (seven units) is approximately $12,059 per unit (based on Fiscal Year 2023 fees), assuming a dedicated City water meter for each unit, and a dedicated irrigation meter. Price per unit for larger projects can be less assuming a single off-site City meter with private submeters on-site.
Residential projects with 100 percent of rental units dedicated for lower-income households have lower water meter fees because they are allowed to provide one water meter per six units if they meet certain conditions. The water and sewer connection fees for a new single-unit project is approximately $19,775. ADUs do not need a dedicated city water meter but a new ADU often triggers the Sewer Lateral Inspection Program and occasionally the sewer lateral needs repairing to accommodate the ADU.
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In accordance with the provisions of Gov. Code § 65940.1(a)(1)(A), the City has a published a comprehensive list of Adopted City Fees (both current and historic) that can be found on the City’s website here.
In summary, fees charged for housing development reflect the cost to provide required services to support new housing development. Due to the lack of public facilities impact fees, the City’s overall level of housing fees is quite low and does not pose a constraint to housing development.
Table 38 shows the fee schedule sample for a single-unit development project, located outside the Coastal Zone. Because this project is in the R-2 zone and the existing residence was retained on site, it was reviewed by the Architectural Board of Review rather than the Single Family Design Board. The project is a new 1,404 square foot residence and 2-car garage for a total of 1,876 square feet. If this project were in the Coastal Zone (not on the coastal bluff), the total fee would increase by approximately 65 percent to cover the additional staff time necessary to process a Coastal Development Permit. As noted earlier, projects on the coastal bluff require an extensive coastal hazard analysis that further increases staff time and cost.
Table 38: Fee Schedule Sample for Single‐Unit Development
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Number of Units 1
Number of Square Feet (including garage) 1,876
FEE DESCRIPTION FY 2022 FEES
Planning Application Fees $3,105
Environmental Review - Exemption $395
Architectural Board of Review 1-4 New Units (sf) $2,530 Mailing List Service $180
FY 2023 FEES
Building Permit Fees $33,747
Building Plan Review, Medium $217
New R3 Residence Plan Check Fee (over 1,000 s.f.) $5,201 New R3 Residence Inspection Fee (over 1,000 s.f.) $19,948 Building Plan Review, Garage $1,715
Growth Management/General Plan Update (14% of Building Permit Fee) $3,791 SB 1473 (2008)
15 $16
Technology Fee (8% of Total Building Permit Fees, used for maintenance, hardware, and upgrades to the permit tracking system)
$2,196
SMIP Category 1 $52
Records Management Fee (7% of Planning & Building Fees) $1,922 Zoning Plan Check – New Multi-Unit Residence $605
Zoning Plan Check – Design Review Compliance (minor) $130 Public Works (PW) Transportation Adaptive Management Program (AMP) Benchmark (per SFR unit, funds traffic model updates)
$75
PW Engineering Plan Check $84
PW Transportation Plan Check $217
15 Requires cities and counties to collect a fee on building permit applications, in the amount of $4 per every $100,000 in valuation, a portion of which (10 percent) is for administrative costs and code enforcement education, while the remainder is for the Building Standards Commission to fund development of building standards, with an emphasis on efforts associated with green building standards.
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Fire Department Fee $162
School Fees ($3.79/sf) $5,321
Total Fees $44,757
Total Fees/Unit $44,7573
Total Fees/sf (including garage) $23.85
City of Santa Barbara, 2022; BAE, 2022.
Table 39 presents the fee schedule sample for an ADU created from a converted garage with an addition, located outside the Coastal Zone. If this ADU were in the Coastal Zone (not on a coastal bluff) the fee would increase by approximately 55 percent to cover the additional staff time to process a Coastal Development Permit. As noted earlier, projects on the coastal bluff require an extensive coastal hazard analysis that further increases staff time and cost.
Table 39: Fee Schedule Sample for ADU Development
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Number of Units 1
Number of Square Feet (including garage) 462
FEE DESCRIPTION FY 2022 FEES
Planning Application Fees N/A
Building Permit Fees $8,134
Building Plan Review, Medium (Permit Plan Check & Inspection) $217 Remodel R3 – up to 300 sf Plan Check Fee $1,591
Room Add – up to 300 sf Plan Check Fee $2,751
Processing Agreements or Docs $420
ADU Sign $179
Growth Management/General Plan Update (14% of Total Building Permit Fees)
$883
SB 1473 (2008) $5
Technology Fee (8% of Total Building Permit Fees) $504
Records Management Fee (7% of Planning & Building Fees) $441 Zoning Plan Check – Multi-Unit New $605
PW Transportation AMP Benchmark (per SFR unit) $75
PW Engineering Plan Check $84
PW Transportation Plan Check $217
Fire Department Fee $162
School Fees $1,751
Total Fees $9,885
Total Fees/Unit $9,885
Total Fees/sf $21.40
City of Santa Barbara, 2022; BAE, 2022.
Table 40 provides the fee schedule sample for a multi-unit, mixed-use development, located outside the Coastal Zone.
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Table 40: Fee Schedule Sample For Multi‐Unit Development
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Number of Units 29
Number of Square Feet (including garage) 20,426
FEE DESCRIPTION FY 2022 FEES
Planning Application Fees $16,415
Pre-application Review Team (Voluntary by Applicant) $2,955 Environmental Review – Exemption with one study $1,065
Architectural Board of Review (ABR)-NR, New 1,001-3,000 sf $4,095 ABR-R, New More than 20 New Units $8,120
Mailing List Service $180
Building Permit Fees $88,829
New Remodel, Shell (Permit Plan Check & Inspection) $37,241 Revision Building Permit Fees $320
Growth Management/General Plan Update (14% of Total Building Permit Fees)
$9,496
SB 1473 (2008) $132
Commercial Strong Motion Instrument Program Fees (for the state to implement an earthquake monitoring program)
$928
Technology Fee (8% of Total Building Permit Fees) $5,426 Records Management Fee (7% of Planning & Building Fees) $5,897 Zoning Plan Check – Nonresidential, 1,001-3,000 sf $605 Zoning Plan Check – Multi-Family Residence (MFR), over 20 units $1,120 Zoning Plan Check – Design Review Compliance $345
Zoning Plan Check – Supplemental Review Fee $350
PW Transportation AMP Benchmark Nonresidential $340
PW Transportation AMP Benchmark MFR $1,160
PW Engineering Plan Check $178
PW Transportation Trip Generation Fee $578
PW Transportation Plan Check $578
Misc. – Inspection Fee (each 30 minutes) $179
Fire Department Fee $328
PW Engineering Traffic Control, 1.25 years staging in street & 4 pkg restrictions
$7,350
PW Engineering Public Improvement Plan Check, Engineer’s Estimate = $69,489
$11,180
PW Engineering Public Improvement Inspection, Engineer’s Estimate = $69,489
$5,098
School Fees ($3.79/sf) $77,415
Total Fees $182,659
Total Fees/Unit $6,299
Total Fees/sf $8.94
City of Santa Barbara, 2022; BAE, 2022.
Table 41 provides fees for other planning services not listed above. These fees are only charged when applicable to a particular project.
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Table 41: Planning Division Fees
FEE DESCRIPTION FY 2023 FEES
General Plan Amendment or Zone Change $15,000 initial deposit with actual costs charged at the fully allocated hourly rates of all personnel
involved, plus any outside costs
Local Coastal Plan Amendment $20,000 initial deposit with actual costs charged at the fully allocated hourly rates of all personnel
involved, plus any outside costs
Variance $10,000 initial deposit with actual costs charged at the fully allocated hourly rates of all personnel
involved, plus any outside costs
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
Minor CUP and Amendments $14,210
Residential Uses (permanent or temporary) $15,790
Development that requires a CUP per a
specific zone (e.g., Overlay Zone, Specific
Plan)
$15,540
Coastal Zone Review
ADU on bluff-top lot $15,940
ADU on all other lots $5,495
Other single unit development on a bluff-top
lot
$24,705
Other single unit development on all other
lots
$12,835
2-5 New Units $12,835
Over 5 New Units $22,315
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Non‐Governmental Constraints
A variety of non-governmental constraints impact the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing in a community. The Housing Element is required to discuss the availability of financing and development costs such as the price of land and cost of construction.
Availability of Financing
The availability of financing is a critical factor that can influence the cost and supply of housing. There are generally two types of financing used in the housing market: (1) capital used for initial site preparation and construction; and (2) capital used to finance the purchase of units by homeowners and investors. Interest rates substantially impact home construction, purchase, and improvement costs. A small fluctuation in rates can make a dramatic difference in the annual income needed to qualify for a loan. While interest rates for development and construction are generally higher than interest rates for home purchase (i.e., mortgages), financing is generally available in the City for new construction, rehabilitation, and refinancing.
While financing is generally available for market-rate development, limited availability of funding to subsidize for affordable projects is a key impediment to the construction of affordable housing, not only in Santa Barbara, but throughout California and the U.S.
Cost of Land
Typically, land costs account for the largest single component of housing development costs. The variable cost of land is influenced by many factors including location, lot size, zoning, accessibility, availability of services, and existing infrastructure.
A recent study conducted in 2021 by BAE Urban Economics indicated land costs that generally varied by residential zone. BAE used information on recent land sales in Santa Barbara as well as input received during the practitioner interviews. Due to a lack of recent sales of vacant land in Santa Barbara, the analysis focused on recently-completed multi-unit housing development projects in Santa Barbara to identify the sale price for the project sites when each site was purchased prior to redevelopment with residential uses.
Two sales were for properties located in the City’s Downtown, both with sale prices above $200 per site square foot. This is somewhat consistent with the range of $150 to $200 per site square foot that practitioners cited during the interview process. On parcels zoned for multi-unit residential uses outside the Downtown, sale records included prices of $67 and $63 per site square foot, for two different parcels that sold.
Cost of Construction
Construction costs for residential development are based on the cost of labor and materials, which vary depending on the type of development. Once a vacant parcel is purchased, the contractor is also required to make site improvements before constructing a building on the property. Site improvements can include connections to existing utility systems, rough grading, and installation of water and sewer lines. The cost variation for site improvements depends on the lot size, unit size, and type of residential dwelling. Other factors that can influence costs are the primary infrastructure needed for the site and roadway improvements.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 92
According to construction cost data published by RS Means (2021), the per square foot cost of singlefamily construction in Santa Barbara is likely to be at minimum approximately $224 per square foot, including the garage but not including site improvement, labor, and soft costs. Site improvement costs may be approximately $50,000 per lot; however, this can vary substantially due to contributing factors such as geology and expansive soils conditions that often require that new construction have deepened footings, grade beams, caissons, removal and compaction of soils, and other conditions that drive up costs.
In total, the cost of land, site improvements, and construction of the home itself could add up to around $1,100,000 for a 2,000 square foot single-unit home. With the addition of financing costs, permits and fees, other soft costs, and a builder profit of approximately ten percent, the cost to a homebuyer could easily exceed $1.5 million.
For multi-unit development, a study conducted in 2021 by BAE Urban Economics indicated multi-unit hard costs of $388 per square foot of built space, not including parking hard costs of $40,000 per podium space. Soft costs such as engineering, architecture, financing, and CEQA costs, as well as City cost-recovery fees for planning, permitting, and entitlements, are equal to 19 percent of hard costs.
Taken together, total costs to complete a multi-unit project within the City of Santa Barbara can range from $310,000 to $370,000 per door, before accounting for the cost of land and parking. For projects utilizing podium construction, structured parking is estimated to cost upwards of $40,000 per space, or $100 per square foot.
This can translate to anywhere from $437 to $447 per square foot of gross building area, inclusive of hard and soft costs.
In recent years, several factors have caused the increased cost of materials, including global trade patterns and federal policy decisions, such as tariffs, as well as state and local regulations, such as building codes. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced the cost and availability of construction materials. Supply chain disruptions have resulted in project delays and increased costs due to a shortage of construction materials and equipment as well. In addition, labor costs have also increased in recent years, as the labor pool has not kept pace with the increase in demand. Since the recession, California has seen a severe tightening in the construction labor market, especially for workers trained in specific construction trades. The lack of an available labor force drives up the cost of labor and leads to project delays as workers are either unavailable or lost to more profitable projects.
Requests to Develop Housing Below Identified Densities in the Sites Inventory The City did not track requests to develop housing on suitable sites from the 5th Cycle inventory below anticipated densities (at least 20 dwelling units/acre). Due to the capacity available in the 5th Cycle, the City could still fully accommodate unmet RHNA numbers even if an occasional project developed below anticipated density.
2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 93
Typical Timeframes Between Approval for a Housing Development Project and Application for Building Permits
Based on a sample of 58 housing projects with planning approval granted in 2013 to 2020, the average time between planning approval and application for a building permit is eight months. Applicants can apply for a building permit plan review immediately after Final Approval is granted by the design review bodies; however, a permit cannot be issued until after the ten-day appeal period has ended. Although the City might be able to offer some incentives for applicants to apply for building permits more quickly or, conversely, create disincentives for applicants to delay building permit applications, City staff’s knowledge of local projects indicates that most delays in building permit applications are related to financial considerations that are beyond the City’s control.
Environmental Constraints
Environmental constraints to housing development include geography and natural hazards that limit the development potential of land or increase the costs of development due to special construction standards and mitigation measures necessary to reduce the hazard. Santa Barbara is one of the ten oldest cities in California (according to foundation date) with very little vacant land and, by being situated between the Santa Ynez Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, is geographically and physically constrained from growing outwards. In the City, environmental constraints that could impact housing development by limiting a site from building at its full development capacity include fire hazards, flooding hazards, coastal hazards from sea level rise, biological resources, cultural resources, historic resources, seismic hazards, and hillsides/slopes. Parcels with significant environmental constraints associated with biological resources, creeks, and historic resources were removed from the suitable sites inventory database as described in the suitable sites methodology section.
Fire Hazards
Wildland fires have been and will continue to be a significant part of Santa Barbara’s history. Between 1955 and 2021, 23 major wildfires have occurred in or near the Santa Barbara “front country,” which is the area along the south-facing slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains between the Gaviota Pass to the west and the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line to the east. In total, these 23 fires have burned over 1,000,000 acres and resulted in eight fatalities.
The City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2021) identifies four distinct high fire hazard areas in the City based on wildfire hazard modeling, mostly in the residential single unit zones of the City.
Development within the high fire hazard areas is guided by Title 8 of the Municipal Code, which establishes construction standards, vegetation management, and other methods to reduce fire hazards.
While these methods help reduce the hazard, the City is concerned about the impact of increased density in the Foothill and Extreme Foothill High Fire Hazard Areas where roads are narrow and winding, presenting a challenge for safe and expedient evacuation in the event of a fast-moving wildfire.
Based on the health and safety concern, the City imposed special development regulations on ADUs and SB 9 (2021) projects in these High Fire Hazard Areas. Only two sites identified for future housing development in the City’s suitable sites inventory are in High Fire Hazard Areas. 2023-2031 Housing Element
City of Santa Barbara | General Plan Page | 94
Flooding Hazards
Four major watersheds drain through the City of Santa Barbara to the Pacific Ocean. The creeks that drain those watersheds include Arroyo Burro Creek, Mission Creek, Sycamore Creek and the Laguna Channel. There is a potential for flooding from these streams in the event of a 100-year flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated flood hazard zones throughout the City, and areas subject to inundation during a 100-year storm are depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Development within flood hazard zones is guided by Title 22 of the Municipal Code, which establishes required construction methods to prevent and reduce flood hazards. Sites within floodways were removed from the suitable sites inventory but some sites are within flood hazard zones. Flood hazards are mitigated by compliance with flood resistant design and construction methods.
Coastal Hazards
Coastal hazards due to sea level rise include coastal flooding and inundation, bluff and beach erosion, and wave impacts. The City participates in local, state, and federal efforts to monitor and model projected hazards due to sea level rise and has prepared a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan (2021).
Potential shoreline hazards are mapped and used as a screening tool to determine if a site-specific technical evaluation is necessary. The Coastal Land Use Plan includes policies and procedures to reduce the impact of coastal hazards on new development.
One single-unit project on the coastal bluff is included in the site inventory as a pending project.
Approximately five suitable sites are located in the potential shoreline hazards screening area (Inland Coastal Flooding). Development on these sites will be evaluated for the risk of coastal flooding on a case-by-case basis and could be subject to minimizing the flood risk by increasing the elevation of structures, restricting basements or habitable floor area below grade, and using flood proof materials.
Biological Resources
The City’s creeks, wetlands, oak woodlands, and riparian corridors are home to sensitive plant and wildlife species that require additional review, protection, and mitigation when present on a parcel proposed for development. Potential sensitive habitat areas are mapped and used as a screening tool to determine if site-specific biological resource surveys are necessary. Title 22 of the Municipal Code, the Coastal Land Use Plan, and the Environmental Resources Element of the General Plan includes policies and procedures to protect biological resources. Parcels with known significant biological resources were removed from the suitable sites inventory.
Cultural Resources
Evidence of cultural activity in the Santa Barbara area extends over 9,000 years. The indigenous population encountered by the Spanish in the late 1700s were the Barbareño Chumash and populations associated with these peoples are considered to have been some of the highest in California. Development proposed in any area known or suspected to contain archaeological resources or identified as archaeologically sensitive on the City’s Archaeological Resources Sensitivity Map, is evaluated to identify potential for important resources and monitored during construction if recommended by a City-Qualified Archaeologist. Housing development projects may be required to evaluate impacts to cultural resources, but this requirement applies to all development and is consistent with federal, state, and City regulations for protecting cultural resources. 2023-2031 Housing Element
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Historic Resources
The City has preserved much of its historic past and is known for its distinguished architecture. Many buildings have been designated as City Landmarks or Structures of Merit. Titles 22 and 30 of the Municipal Code and the Historic Resources Element of the General Plan includes policies and procedures for protecting cultural and historic resources. Sites with designated Landmarks or Structures of Merit were removed from the suitable sites inventory.
Seismic Hazards
Like the entire Southern and Central California region, Santa Barbara is in an area of high seismic activity. No active faults or fault traces are known or suspected to exist in City limits, and as a result, no Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones are in the City. The level of impact resulting from any seismic activity will depend on factors such as distance from the epicenter, earthquake magnitude, soil characteristics, and subsurface geology. Title 22 of the Municipal Code established methods and construction techniques to reduce the potential for loss of life, injury, and property damage in the event of a major earthquake. This requirement is not known to constrain housing development.