New projects and programs are on the way to Isla Vista, including a permanent restroom along Del Playa Drive, improvements to Children’s Park, and a housing inspection pilot program. 

In March, Santa Barbara County and the City of Goleta reached a settlement with UC Santa Barbara after alleging that the university failed to build enough student housing. As part of the agreement, the county received $3.7 million for community projects. 

On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors approved a list of priority projects and programs for Isla Vista to fund with the settlement money.

From the $3.7 million, $82,000 will go toward the Isla Vista Community Services District parking study, and $1.38 million will be used to match funding for the district’s mobility plan, which will unlock an additional $8 million for street lighting and other pedestrian improvements. 

Additionally, $500,000 will be used to construct a permanent public restroom along Del Playa Drive. 

“This is the first tangible outcome of a longstanding, tough but cordial struggle and challenge with UCSB over housing and the lack of housing, and how that has a ripple effect throughout our entire county,” Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said during the hearing. “It’s a good day for Isla Vista, but really a good day for our county because of the ramifications for the entire county.” 

According to her office staff, some of the initiatives will improve cliff safety, specifically by adding a restroom along Del Playa.

“We know that urinating off the cliffs has been the reason for many cliff falls and fatalities, so we’re hoping that having a restroom stationed right on Del Playa will help remedy that,” said Eleanor Gartner, a district representative for Capps.  

The new restroom is planned for Camino Pescadero Park, and some settlement money will go toward maintenance.

Parks & Parking

Children’s Park at 6681 Picasso Road will receive $250,000 in improvements and upgrades for the community room.

During public comment on Tuesday, Kimberly Kiefer, general manager of the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, said the funding will help with lighting and park improvements. 

“The parks all serve multigenerational families, and UCSB and Santa Barbara City College alike. It gives them a place to call their backyard and receive the benefits of nature that we all receive living in Santa Barbara County,” Kiefer said.

Jonathan Abboud, IVCSD general manager, asked the county supervisors to allocate $300,000 from the settlement funds for a parking enforcement program, adding that it would match funds from IVCSD. 

IVCSD started a parking study last fall and has identified enforcement as a key solution to tackling illegal parking against red curbs and driveways that takes place during the school year. 

Capps said she would be open to funding parking enforcement but didn’t include it in the list of projects since it’s all one-time funding.

Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said tackling parking issues will go a long way to dealing with Isla Vista’s housing issues. 

“Housing is the No. 1 issue, and if you could get rid of those cars, you’d have a lot more room for housing and it’d be a more attractive place,” Hartmann said. “Right now, people just park and leave their cars for long periods of time.”

Housing Inspection Program

Additionally, $600,000 from the settlement funds will go toward starting an Isla Vista housing inspection pilot program. The program will give the county the ability to remedy reports of black mold, broken fences and balconies, and other issues facing Isla Vista renters. An additional $600,000 will go toward legal and other tenant-related services. 

“We’re really hoping that this program will be able to remedy a lot of the health and building code violations that we’ve just been hearing left and right from tenants, and really empowering young tenants, especially students, to be able to report these issues,” Gartner said.

The program is expected to launch next summer, and county staff will present specifics to the board later this year.  

Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson raised some concerns over the housing inspection pilot program, saying they’re difficult to operate and have been shuttered in other areas, including San Luis Obispo.  

Capps argued that the pilot program is specific to Isla Vista and will empower residents to report issues such as mold or balcony collapses. She said she will be working with Planning & Development staff to make sure it is a thought-through program.   

“Isla Vista is a very unique situation with tenants who really need to be empowered,” Capps said. “Student tenants are historically not empowered to report mold, or to report balconies that are not safe. This pilot project is very specific to Isla Vista and will help tenants live in safer environments.”