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GOLETA, CA May 14, 2026 – The City of Goleta’s Design Review Board (DRB) will be conducting a Preliminary Design level review for the purpose of making a recommendation to the Planning Commission (PC) for a proposed new church and other design aspects affecting both church facilities (i.e. lighting, landscaping) on May 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. The property owner, Christ Lutheran Church (CLC), has submitted a proposal to split the property located at 6595 Covington Way into two lots to allow the construction of a new church and associated improvements for Anthem Church (AC). The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Cremona Drive and via the Zoom platform. The public may also view the meeting on Goleta TV Channel 19 and/or online at http://www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings.
The applicant is seeking design and landscaping-related recommendations. The applicant is requesting (i) a Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) to subdivide the existing CLC site into two lots; (ii) one (1) Conditional Use Permit Amendment (CUP) (65-CP-52) to revise the boundary of the initial CUP where CLC is located, (iii) one (1) Plan for the existing CLC building on new Lot 1, with adjustments for landscaping, parking, bicycle parking, and the rear setback, (iv) one Minor Conditional Use Permit to allow a new as-built Development community assembly use in the RS-8 zone district, (v) one new Development Plan on Lot 2 for the new AC assembly and education buildings and associated improvements with adjustments for building/structure height, and an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) buffer reduction, and (vi) Preliminary Design Review of the improvements proposed on Lot 1 and 2. The General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning Ordinance Designation is Single Family Residential (RS).
No changes are proposed to the existing CLC sanctuary/community assembly buildings on proposed Lot 1. However, seven additional trees are proposed to be added in the parking lot area. Development on proposed Lot 2 will include the construction of a 6,512 sq. ft. sanctuary/community assembly building and a two-story 13,554 sq. ft. education building to support daycare and preschool uses. Proposed building materials for the AC buildings proposed on Lot 2 include a naturally toned, board-formed concrete base at the ground level and supporting vertically ribbed, bone-white metal panel walls that echo the character of historic agricultural structures. Additional exterior finishes, including plaster elements, enrich the material palette. Above, a charcoal grey standing seam metal roof crowns both the assembly and education building. The building would contain an elevator at a total height of 33 feet…