We are local architects, designers, and planners who have spent much of our professional lives in Santa Barbara. We cherish Santa Barbara and support the creation of multi-family housing to meet our needs. Unfortunately, the timing of approval of the City’s Housing Element allowed an out-of-town developer to submit two enormous housing projects under the State Builder’s Remedy provision that are completely out of scale with their settings and our town.
The Builder’s Remedy law allowed the developers to bypass local zoning and public review because the City lacked a certified housing element at the time. These two proposals were submitted in areas never intended for high density development and would not be approved through the normal review process. These two proposals clearly conflict with the City’s General Plans, community vision, environmental goals, and design standards. Their location near historic resources and along key fire evacuation routes raises serious public safety concerns. And, sadly, even with all the concessions, only the minimum number of affordable units are proposed.
We strongly support well-planned and designed housing projects in Santa Barbara. There are many beautiful examples.
We strongly oppose these two ill-placed Builder’s Remedy projects…