Community Development Director Elias Isaacson is leaving the city of Santa Barbara later this month.
Isaacson notified his staff and upper management on Monday through an email.
“After much thought, many conversations with my spouse, and deep personal reflection, my family and I have made the difficult decision to leave the city of Santa Barbara and return home to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to help care for our aging parents,” Isaacson wrote in the email.
His last day as the Community Development Director for the City Santa Barbara will be March 20.
“It was a difficult decision — being part of such a skilled, thoughtful, and professional team has been incredibly rewarding,” Isaacson said. “I am sincerely grateful for the collaboration and support I have received from each of you and am immensely proud of our work over these past few years.”
Isaacson is the fourth city department director in the past month to leave their jobs. He follows Cliff Maurer, public works director, Wendy Levy, human resources director, and Jessica Cadiente, library director, who accepted $500,000 as part of a settlement to leave the post.
Isaacson said in the coming days, he will work closely with leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
“I have every confidence in this team’s ability to continue driving success and making a meaningful impact on the community that my family and I have grown to love. While I may be stepping away from my role, I will always be cheering for you from the sidelines.”
Isaacson, an architect, was hired in June 2021 and formerly served as the Planning and Land Use Director for the City of Santa Fe.
Isaacson helped the city oversee compliance with the City Housing Element, the Objective Development Design Standards, the State Street Master Plan and was instrumental in planning for housing at Paseo Nuevo and La Cumbre Plaza.
Isaacson oversees about 75 employees and earns about $190,000 annually.
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said she plans to discuss with staff before making a decision about the interim director of the department.
“I will likely be going out for a recruitment for the role,” McAdoo said.
In an interview with Noozhawk Tuesday night, Isaacson said:
“Being the community development director of Santa Barbara was an incredible experience,” Isaacson said. “I got to play a part in shaping the city’s future while respecting its history and character. I’m especially proud of the efforts to revitalize State Street and improve city processes to make development more efficient and transparent. This role reinforced my belief that good planning and open conversations are key to building strong, thriving communities.”