Newsflash: Sheila Lodge, a former Santa Barbara mayor and current member of the Planning Commission, wants a building to be taller.

Lodge, who for more than four decades has pushed for preservation and smaller buildings, was among the chorus of planning commissioners showering adoration on a 37-unit housing project at 320 W. Carrillo St.

“I was wondering about making it taller so it could be seen from the street level,” Lodge said to a few gasps and chuckles in the audience at the Thursday meeting.

Her comments were focused on the height of the tower, and she said she also supports the overall purpose of a four-story — just under 48 feet — project, in the context of the city’s jobs-housing imbalance.

“It certainly fits within the general plan and our desire for more housing,” Lodge said.

The planning commission gave unanimous positive feedback to architect Brian Cearnal, a partner in the Cearnal Collective, and the applicant, John Cuykendall DMI.

The project — near downtown just east of the intersection at Castillo and West Carrillo streets and 1½ blocks from Highway 101 — still must go before the Historic Landmarks Commission for more review.

The project would be four stories, just under 48 feet tall, proposed under California’s bonus density law.

No parking is planned for the less than-half-acre project, which is allowed under state law since there are bus stops nearby. About 40 bike spaces are proposed.

The project would provide four very-low-income apartments and three moderate-income units. The rest of the apartments would be small workforce units averaging 740 square feet.

Affordability is tied to people’s incomes and the market rate of the rents at the time they are on the market. The median income for Santa Barbara workers is about $101,000, according to the City of Santa Barbara.

Moderate-income units are typically for people earning between 80% and 120% of the median income.

The state is turning over all rocks in its pursuit of more housing.

In addition to requiring local agencies to zone land to build thousands of units — Santa Barbara must zone land to build 8,001 units by 2031 — it is also making it easier for developers to build projects.

Developments near public transportation don’t need parking, and developers that promise 20% affordability can bypass some design standards if the cities and counties have not completed their housing elements.

The West Carrillo Street site is seen as ideal for housing because it is away from most neighborhoods, near transit, and close to downtown, reducing the need for some services.

Other big housing projects are proposed within a couple of blocks.

The current site is occupied by a 3,000-square-foot commercial building and the historic Bates House, a circa 1904 Queen Anne-style structure.

Under the proposal, the Bates House, which is located behind the commercial building, will be moved to the front of the lot along the street, restored and converted into two three-bedroom apartments.

Although the planning commissioners supported the project, they expressed concerns about the absence of parking. A few nearby Bath Street residents also raised questions about the lack of parking in the neighborhood.

This is the fourth project proposed in the city that lacks parking.

Cearnal said housing projects without parking will be rented at below market rates, which serves the purpose of creating more affordability.

Commissioner Devon Wardlow said she was excited about the housing project, despite the parking questions.

“I do have concerns about the bikeability of this project and the parking issues it will cause to the residents who exist today,” she said.

But the issue is bigger than just this project, Wardlow added.

“I do see this as something we as a city need to prioritize as we move forward with encouraging housing development that may result in a less high price tag, in exchange for having less parking,” she said.

Aside from the Bates House, Cearnal said, the main building is a simple, traditional Spanish Colonial Revival style in the spirit of the Julia Morgan-designed Lobero Building at 924 Anacapa St.

Toward the end of the meeting, Cearnal took the microphone to address Lodge’s comments.

“Thank you, Sheila, Mayor Lodge, Commissioner Lodge, it is pretty anemic, puny little tower so we will do our best to improve it,” he said.