The Goleta City Council and the Goleta Planning Commission plan to hold a special joint meeting Thursday to explore rezoning options as they revise the city’s Housing Element.  

Goleta submitted its adopted Housing Element for 2023-31 to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for review in January, and subsequently revised it following feedback from the department in March.

The department also issued a review letter on March 20, refusing to certify Goleta’s Housing Element until the city revises the plan and considers rezoning to address the Regional Housing Need Allocations from the state.

Goleta’s allocations for 2023-31 require 1,837 new units — 682 very low-income units, 324 for the low-income category, 370 moderate-income units and 461 units for the above-moderate-income category.

The meeting’s staff report says that, based on staff analysis and the Housing Element revision to address the HCD’s comments, the city has a shortfall in the lower-income category of 637 units, which includes a 15% buffer recommended by the state.

“It’s one of those things where we’re trying to accommodate different goals, and some of them are conflicting. We want to increase housing, but we want to do it in a way that doesn’t have really damaging impacts to any particular neighborhood,” City Councilman Stuart Kasdin said. “Where you put housing makes a huge difference — what sort of community you have, what sort of impacts there are. It’s possible to do two things, add housing and ensure the location is appropriate.”

During the special Thursday meeting, the Goleta City Council and Planning Commission will be considering rezoning several candidate sites — most of which are zoned for commercial uses — to high-density or medium-density residential uses. All property owners of the sites listed have expressed interest in rezoning for residential developments.

“Property owner interest is foundational to the rezoning options identified by city staff, the subject of this study session,” the staff report for Thursday’s study session stated. “Candidate sites for rezones, based on property owner interest, are located along or near major arterials in already urbanized areas of the city. Measure G-protected agricultural sites are excluded from the candidate sites for rezones.” 

Candidate sites to be considered Thursday include five vacant sites that can accommodate 612 residential units if rezoned and six underutilized sites that can accommodate 386 units.

A list of alternative sites for rezones include four vacant sites — which can accommodate 412 units — and three underutilized sites that can accommodate 257 units.

Some of the sites being considered include 490 S. Fairview Ave., the headquarters for Yardi Systems, which wants to convert one of its existing buildings into 374 apartments and a child care center, as well as the Kenwood Village property at 7264 Calle Real.

Many community members have already submitted written public comment for the rezoning study session, several of which oppose the rezoning of the Kenwood Village site.

The site at 7264 Calle Real is currently zoned for agricultural and single-family residential uses, and according to the study session’s staff report, rezoning this site could result in 284 total units.

Neighbors opposing the rezoning of this property argue that the proposed multifamily housing would be inconsistent of the suburban area surrounding it, and that the increased traffic would negatively impact “sensitive” animals and endangered plants in or near the site.

“I am respectfully requesting that you do not authorize the rezoning of the Kenwood Village property located at 7264 Calle Real,” public commenter April Reid wrote. “It will be a disaster for the current residents and for the quiet, peaceful existence we currently have, as well as the endangered species that live on the property.”

Others wrote to encourage the addition of the Shelby Residential Project, at 7400 Cathedral Oaks Road, to the candidate sites for rezoning and to add to the Housing Element. As of Wednesday, that site was not included in any of the candidate or alternative sites lists.

“Our community is in desperate need of new housing,” public commenter and Meridian Group Real Estate Management owner Robert Kooyman said. “I know this not just because I provide housing to thousands of people as part of my job but because many of my 83 employees cannot live in our community. … Having so many employees commuting negatively impacts my business.

“The Shelby Residential Project is a perfect fit for the development of new housing. It is surrounded on two sides by the Glen Annie Golf Course and has housing developments on the other two sides of the property.”

More information on properties listed for consideration to be rezoned is available in the staff presentation that can be found here.

Next steps following input from Thursday’s meeting include submitting a revised draft Housing Element for a 60-day review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and re-adoption hearings before the Goleta Planning Commission and the Goleta City Council. The deadline to complete the rezones is Feb. 15.

The joint Goleta City Council and Goleta Planning Commission meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive. Community members can also view a livestream of the meeting on the city’s website. Information on participating in the meeting via Zoom and providing public comment is available in the meeting’s agenda.