A controversial Isla Vista housing project is returning to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday after the board asked the developers to look into improving parking conditions and capping the number of residents renting a bedroom.
The project at 6737 Sueno Road includes a three-story building with 13 three-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units, for a total of 45 bedrooms, 24 parking spaces, 48 bike lockers and 52 bike racks. The project is being developed by Ed St. George in partnership with Isla Vista Church.
Two of the units are designated for low-income individuals while two more will be for moderate-income individuals.
The Board of Supervisors reviewed the project in September after Isla Vista residents Pegeen and Jon Soutar appealed the county Planning Commission’s approval, arguing that the development would worsen already dangerous traffic conditions and congested parking, especially with 48 other housing projects proposed for Isla Vista.
A single-family home currently sits on the project site, at 6737 Sueno Road, and is surrounded by other single-family homes and small two-story multifamily buildings. The west side of Isla Vista has smaller buildings and mostly single-family homes, while the east side of Isla Vista is known more for larger high-density buildings.
Since the September hearing, the developers have made three changes:
The first is that each affordable housing lease will include one designated parking spot at no additional cost to tenants. Additionally, the tenants of the affordable units will have first right of refusal to lease an additional parking spot, meaning they will get offered additional spots before other tenants.
Lastly, the developers are asking for permission to supersede the county’s coastal plan policy that states there can only be one person per 80 square feet of bedroom area, which would allow for the potential of multiple tenants per bedroom.
In September, the Soutars and the board were worried about multiple tenants cramming into bedrooms, potentially worsening on-street parking conditions.
At the time, Third District County Supervisor Joan Hartmann said she wanted to see a condition that prohibits landlords from renting to more people than they have the space to accommodate.
Because the project includes affordable units, it falls under the Housing Accountability Act, which restricts the county’s ability to deny the project or lower density, unless they prove the project would cause serious public health and safety issues.
It also falls under SB330, which limits the project to five public hearings. Tuesday’s meeting will be the fifth hearing.
The supervisors will make the final decision at the hearing on Tuesday, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors hearing room at 105 E. Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.
Public comments can be made in person, via Zoom, or by submitting a letter to sbcob@countyofsb.org by 5 p.m. Monday.