More than 50 local architects, designers and planners have united to take a stand against two large apartment projects proposed for the hills above Santa Barbara.
“We cherish Santa Barbara and support the creation of multi-family housing to meet our needs,” the statement says. “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.”
They have raised concerns about two projects: one at 505 E. Los Olivos St., and another at 1609-1615 Grand Ave.
A Los Angeles County developer has proposed building 270 apartments in an eight-story building near the Santa Barbara Mission. The project, slated for 505 E. Los Olivos St., would include 54 low-income units, 445 parking spaces and 255 bike spots.
The proposal, first submitted to the city in August 2024, has sparked widespread community opposition, largely centered on its location and impact to the surrounding area. The project is proposed to be 90 feet high, and the allowed height for the area is 30 feet. Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse in May called the proposal “a horrendous nightmare.”
The other project, 1609-1615 Grand Ave., proposes 53 units, with 11 affordable, up to six stories.
“These two proposals clearly conflict with the city’s general plan, community vision, environmental goals, and design standards,” according to the statement.
The letter is signed by members of the American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, landscape architects and other groups.
The letter states that they support new housing, but that these are in the wrong location.
“Their location near historic resources and along key fire evacuation routes raises serious public safety concerns,” according to the statement. “And, sadly, even with all the concessions, only the minimum number of affordable units are proposed.”
The letter comes as the developers, Mission LLC, have pushed back against the city for deciding that their application was incomplete, for the fourth time. It believes the city is intentionally stalling the process and violating the state Housing Accountability Act.
They filed a complaint against the city of Santa Barbara.
“The City of Santa Barbara has decided to ignore the laws the Legislature specifically crafted to address California’s housing affordability crisis by refusing to accept applications for Builder’s Remedy projects,” according to their complaint.
The lawsuit alleges that the city of Santa Barbara is deliberately stalling the process.
“The City of Santa Barbara has decided to ignore the laws the Legislature specifically crafted to address California’s housing affordability crisis by refusing to accept applications for Builder’s Remedy projects,” the suit states.
“Plaintiff further believes that Defendants do not intend to become compliant with these laws,” the suit states. “Further, based upon information and belief, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants deliberately defying applicable state law.”
The architects who signed the letter are also calling on local legislators to get involved. The architects want to be seen as a united force, with no leader, but some of the 54 people who signed the letter include Brian Cearnal, Steve Hausz, Cass Ensberg, Bill Mahan and Suzanne Kortz Tejada.
“We strongly support well-planned and designed housing projects in Santa Barbara,” the statement says. “There are many beautiful examples. We strongly oppose these two ill-placed Builder’s Remedy projects.”
