The approximately five-acre property nestled between the Santa Barbara Mission and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has made headlines in the past year. The property’s owners are proposing an eight-story housing project under builder’s remedy, the provision of state housing law that allows developers to bypass zoning restrictions if they include affordable units. Those owners, known as The Mission LLC, filed legal action against Santa Barbara County last month regarding property tax payments. Currently, county records show The Mission LLC owes approximately $198,600 in property taxes.
In a writ of mandate filed on June 4, The Mission LLC argues that it is exempt from property taxes because it leases to a church, the Unitarian Universalist Mission.
“The property has been used by various religious entities for religious activities and worship for approximately a century. These activities occur at least a few times a month with the intention of having more frequent use in the future,” the writ of mandate states…