Mark Lloyd, president of L & P Consultants and a representative for the applicants, says the project's plan to have affordable housing spread throughout the neighborhood and not clustered together is something not usually seen.
Mark Lloyd, president of L & P Consultants and a representative for the applicants, says the project's plan to have affordable housing spread throughout the neighborhood and not clustered together is something not usually seen.

The Shelby Residential Project, a more than 20-year-old housing project proposal in Goleta, received unanimous approval Thursday from the City Council, the project’s final decision-maker.

“We are very happy that this long-awaited vision is finally becoming a reality — bringing much-needed housing to Goleta. Shelby is the first builder’s remedy project approved in Goleta, proving that a first-rate development can be built under this state law,” the developers, Shelby Family Partnership, said in a statement following the vote. 

The Shelby Residential Project proposes 56 single-family homes, including 11 that are designated as affordable units, at 7400 Cathedral Oaks Road, near the Glen Annie Golf Course. 

While council members had concerns with the project, they ultimately concluded that the need for housing was greater.

“The Goleta foothills are important to us,” Councilman James Kyriaco said. “However, in the final analysis, our community needs housing — it needs affordable housing.”

Spread throughout the neighborhood, four units will be designated for extremely low-income, one unit for lower-income, three for moderate low-income and three for above moderate low-income. 

“This is unprecedented,” developer representatives said in a statement. 

Additionally, the housing project is evaluated using state density bonus law and builder’s remedy, limiting city discretion over the project.

Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco says that while the Goleta foothills are important to the city, the need for affordable housing is greater.
Goleta City Councilman James Kyriaco says that while the Goleta foothills are important to the city, the need for affordable housing is greater.

The City Council’s decision comes about two weeks after the project received majority support from the Planning Commission to recommend that the City Council approve the project, related maps, the environmental impact report and mitigation measures for potential impacts.

In a lengthy discussion, council members raised fire and traffic concerns. The project’s impact on vehicle trips and traffic in the area was identified as having a significant environmental impact.

The Planning Commission had a similar discussion, worried about the traffic that the area would generate especially when nearby Dos Pueblos High School students leave campus.  

Councilwoman Luz Reyes-Martín suggested that the council work closely with the high school to address traffic impacts for future projects. 

“That does keep coming up that we know that the real problem times are around the school and how can we support them to maybe improve or alleviate that,” she said.

The housing project is a more than 20-year-old proposal and was officially given approval by the Goleta City Council on Tuesday.
The housing project is a more than 20-year-old proposal and was officially given approval by the Goleta City Council on Tuesday. Credit: DMHA Architecture / Courtesy rendering

Mark Lloyd, president of L & P Consultants and who represents the applicants, also said that because of Goleta’s model for vehicles miles traveled, any proposed project of more than 10 housing units would create a significant traffic impact.

“It’s unavoidable,” he said.

Council members raised concerns the project site would be vulnerable to wildfires, sharing that concern with the Planning Commission.

However, Lloyd said the site has fire protection elements proposed such as fire barrier walls around the defensible space to aid with fire suppression.

Robert Lewin, principal with Resolute Associates and former director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, assured the council that the project has the necessary fire protections.

“It’s not just about protecting the site itself but the surrounding neighborhoods,” Lewin said. “The new regulations, which went into effect on Jan. 1, which this project will comply with, will be the most strict requirements anywhere, really in the country for fire protection.”

Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, supports the proposed project, saying that Goleta needs more workforce housing.
Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, supports the proposed project, saying that Goleta needs more workforce housing.

Throughout the years that the housing project has been proposed, it has faced delays. Most recently, the project was delayed during a 2024 lawsuit between the applicants and Goleta.

The applicant had edited its proposal using Senate Bill 330 to reduce the number of houses at a time when Goleta did not have a housing element. However, the city rejected the application disputing Shelby Family Partnership’s use of the Senate bill, leading to a lawsuit. 

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Anderle later ruled in the applicant’s favor requiring the city to process the preliminary application.

“We are excited for the day when families can begin putting down roots and building their lives here — and proud that this project will play a role in making Goleta a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone,” the Shelby Family Partnership said. 

Pricila Flores is a Noozhawk staff writer and California Local News Fellow. She can be reached at pflores@noozhawk.com.