New state laws are paving the way for high-density housing projects across the state, including in Isla Vista, already one of the densest areas in Santa Barbara County. Hundreds of new units are in the pipeline, much to the dismay of long-term residents. 

On Friday, Second District Supervisor Laura Capps hosted a town hall meeting in Isla Vista for residents to hear from the county about proposed housing projects and the state laws that allow for large-scale projects and a streamlined review process. 

The county Planning Commission already has approved two new housing projects in Isla Vista in the past month: 27 units at 6587 Cervantes Road with 26 parking spaces and 16 units at 6737 Sueno Road with 24 parking spaces. 

“We’re not alone when looking throughout California, but it’s hard to imagine that there are as many communities, as many neighborhoods that are as unique as Isla Vista,” said Ethan Bertrand from Assemblyman Gregg Hart’s office.

Bertrand explained that the state is mandating Santa Barbara County to build or plan for the development of 25,000 units by 2030, and the state as a whole needs to build or plan for 2.5 million units by 2030.

“Our community absolutely needs more housing, but there are ways that we can do it that are more representative of how our community is planned for, how our community can be cohesive, and frankly, there are some projects that are more abuses of the law and the situation we find ourselves in,” Bertrand said. 

Benjamin Peterson, a staffer for state Sen. Monique Limón, said the two main laws influencing development are Builder’s Remedy and State Density Bonus Law. The Density Bonus Law promises developers a streamlined review process and other incentives if they include a certain percentage of affordable units with their project.

Builder’s Remedy, on the other hand, applies only when jurisdictions fall out of compliance with the state’s housing mandates. The law provides a window for developers to submit a project that, as long as it has 20% affordability, developers are entitled to a streamlined review process and can override local planning processes, Peterson explained. 

Both laws leave local review boards and planning commissions little to no power to deny projects or require changes. 

Additionally, AB 2097 prevents cities and agencies from mandating on-site parking if a development is within a half-mile of a major transit stop, which is why many of the proposed housing projects in Isla Vista won’t have any parking.

There are currently three projects that have been submitted to the county that won’t include any on-site parking, officials said. However, the developers will have to submit a transportation demand management plan to say how they will incorporate alternative transportation into their projects.

Those projects include 15 units at 930 Camino del Sur with 27 bicycle parking spaces; 936 Camino del Sur, which also has 15 units and 27 bicycle parking spaces; and 6722 Sabado Tarde, which also has 15 units and 27 bicycle parking spaces. All three projects are coming from the same developer and are pending approval.

Other projects discussed on Friday that have not yet been approved include:

• Camino Pescadero (no official address yet) with 24 units, 36 parking spaces and 144 bicycle spaces
• 939 Embarcadero Del Mar with 56 single-occupancy rooms with 15 parking spaces and 68 bicycle parking spots
• 6613 and 6619 Del Playa with 12 units, 12 parking spaces and 168 bicycle parking spaces

A project at 971 Embarcadero Del Mar has been approved for 28 single-occupancy rooms, eight parking spaces and 30 bicycle parking spaces.

There are also accessory dwelling units proposed and being built throughout Isla Vista. David Billesbach with the county Planning & Development Department said there are 31 coastal development permits issued for ADUs in Isla Vista, and there are seven ADU permit applications that are pending approval.

With the influx of those new units, long-term residents have expressed concerns about the impact to parking and public safety. 

To address the issue of illegal parking against driveways, red curbs and fire hydrants, Capps acknowledged the need for enforcement and said she’d be working to secure funding at the county budget hearings. 

“We need parking enforcement, and there’s no excuse that it hasn’t happened yet,” Capps said.