SANTA BARBARA COUNCIL & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS: June 12-16

By an edhat reader

Week of June 12, 2023: Council and Commission meetings of Santa Barbara City

A long-time Edhat subscriber, hoping for more public participation in our local government, thought it would be helpful and interesting for the community to have a weekly listing of selected meetings, those of city-wide interest. We agreed. Please tell us what you think. There have been requests for coverage of other jurisdictions; volunteers to do that, please contact info@edhat.com. If we’ve mis-posted an address or there’s a meeting that we failed to list, please note the correction in the Comments section below. Thanks!

Santa Barbara has a City Calendar of meetings for May. (NB: City Calendar is a guide and is not comprehensive.) City TV covers many of the public meetings and has reruns. However, it cannot presently be completely relied upon and if there is a particular city public agency of interest, it would be best to check that commission’s or council’s website. Consent Calendar meetings are not televised; nor are those in City Council Room 15; nor are others, such as the library board meeting at the Faulkner Gallery.

Common acronyms, abbreviations: hybrid or Hyflex, meeting access is both in person and via Zoom or other webinar; PDA, Project Design Approval; FA, Final Approval; CAR, Council Agenda Report. Agenda item descriptions are generally direct quotes from the agendas. Meeting locations: City Council chambers upstairs at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street; David Gebhard Room (DGR), 630 Garden Street; Parks Office, 402 E. Ortega St.; or where noted. Noted also for some Council and Advisory Committee meetings are non-public addresses; these are addresses for those public servants who choose to attend the meetings at home or elsewhere.

With the City Budget to be given a final vote next week and everything seemingly calm, this seems a good time for this Edhat labor-of-love for Santa Barbara AND governmental transparency to take a break. “Ed” and readers, no doubt, would welcome a new voice; please contact info@edhat.com.

MONDAY, 6/12

Single Family Design Board, 11:00 A.M., DGR: Consent Agenda: Agenda:

A. 1889 Eucalyptus Hill Rd., Cont item, PDA& FA;

B. 1830 Overlook Ln., New Item, roofing, PDA *& FA.

C. 3957 Stacy Ln., New Item, PDA & FA.

D. 1758 Called Boca del Canon, New item, Concept Review, proposal for site improvements.

Architectural Drawings, link; also has Minutes of the 3 prior meetings.

Architectural Board of Review, 1 P.M., DGR, Consent Calendar, in person: Agenda, meeting cancelled.

Architectural Board of Review, 3 P.M., DGR, regular meeting, hyflex; Agenda:

710 E. Cota St., cont. item, Concept Review – see the next listing 712 E. Cota:
712 E. Cota St., cont. item, Concept Review Owner: Habitat For Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County, Inc Jonathan Reckford, Managing Member Applicant: Ed DeVicente, DMHA Architecture “The project consists of three-story, three-unit condominium building with three parking spaces (one space per unit) on the 5,000 square foot lot. A shared parking easement with the adjacent lot and six bike lockers are proposed on the site, with three of those being reserved for the development at 710 E. Cota Street along with an easement for access. The existing 1,910 square foot residence will be demolished. The units are proposed to be deed restricted with affordability covenants. … a Parking Modification to provide less than the required two parking spaces per unit and a Front Setback Modification to allow the entry porch to encroach into the required front setback. … No appealable decision will be made at this hearing. Project will require compliance with the Project Compatibility Guidelines. Project was last reviewed on February 6, 2023.”
414 W. Canon Perdido St., FA, a two-story, two-unit residential building using the AUD Initiative. Includes two 932 sq ft bedroom units on the 3, 529 sq ft. lot; includes two covered parking spaces. (PDA was granted on Jan. 23, 2023. )
528 W. Figueroa St., cont. item, PDA: “Proposal to demolish the existing single-family home and accessory building to construct a two-story 8-unit residential apartment building and 8 parking spaces; designed comply with the AUD Program and the State Density Bonus Program.” Under the latter, “the project proposes the following concessions from City development standards: to allow relief for parking design standards and stall/maneuvering dimensions, relief from open and private yard requirements, and a modification allow parking within the required interior setback. Six units are proposed as replacement units for the approved hotel at 302 Montecito (PC Resolution 20-017).)”

AUD program: SBMC Chapter 30.150; Ca State Density Bonus Program CA Gov Code S. 65915-65918.

ABR: Architectural drawings and minutes: link.

Neighborhood Advisory Council, 6 P.M., Westside Neighborhood Center, Special Meeting, agenda: meeting cancelled.

TUESDAY, 6/13

Planning Commission, 8 A.M., site visit 335 S. Milpas, in preparation for Thursday’s meeting; agenda; in person, no TV or Zoom.

Sign Committee: 9 A.M., regular meeting, DGR, in person, not listed for City TV: Agenda:

1040 Coast Village Rd, Cont. item, Concept Review: Business Name: PAVILIONS (Proposal for one 74 square foot illuminated wall sign, and two 74 square foot illuminated hanging signs, …An exception is requested to exceed the maximum letter height and the maximum 90 square feet of signage allotted to the property.) Project was last reviewed May 16, 2023. (9:30AM)
401 W. Carrillo St., Cont. item, Concept Review: Business Name: Jiffy Lube Multicare. Total proposed signage is 37.9 square feet. Total building frontage is 58 feet. Project located in the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District (EPV). Applicant is requesting an exception to use acrylic facing materials in the EPV. Project was last reviewed March 21, 2023.

Architectural drawings, Minutes for the May meetings: link.

City Council, Special Meeting, 11 A.M., Closed session, to consider initiating litigation, agenda.

City Council: Regular meeting, 2:00 p.m., Council Chambers, Hyflex, 2 P.M., agenda:

Consent Calendar: Items 2-15, noted, among others: #3. Establishing new speed limits on sections of Alamar Ave, de la Vina St, La Colina Rd., Miramonte Dr., and Yanonali St, from 30 mph to 25 mph, Alamar from 35 to 30 mph; #4, Water supply update and Repeal of Water Shortage Alert; #8 public hearing on 6/27 re parking rates for fiscal year 2024; # 11, purchase of 222 E. Anapamu St. (police department annex, presently leased by City) for $4,300,000 (Measure C funds.))
Item 16, Finance Department, Adoption of the two-year financial plan for fiscal years 2024-2025, and the operating capital budget for fiscal year 2024, link.
Item 17, Amendment to the SFDB Appeal Process, moving Appeals from the City Council to the planning commission; “This proposed amendment is only for the SFDB and does not include the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) or the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC). Unlike the SFDB, the ABR and HLC are created through the City Charter which requires that City Council be the designated review authority for appeals (City Charter Sections 814 and 817). Extensive quotes of the 5/23 Ordinance Committee members, councilmembers O. Gutierrez, “Wary of changing from City Council review. ï Councilmembers are elected by the people and have specific accountability to the public they serve, whereas Planning Commissioners are appointed.”; Sneddon, “(would like an) option to go to City Council Concerned that design guidelines are seen as waivable. …” and Jordan, including his “willing(ness) to consider district-based Planning Commission appointments. (and that he) would like to add a requirement that an architect be a member of the Planning Commission….”
Item 19, Interviews for City advisory commissions, 6 P.M., estimated time both on the agenda and City TV.

WEDNESDAY, 6/14

Staff Hearing Officer, 9 A.M. DGR, in person, but it is listed for City TV; Agenda:

353 Oliver Road, “The 6,207 square-foot lot is currently developed with a 1,043 square foot single story residence with a 65 square foot covered porch and a 380 square foot detached two-car garage. The proposed project involves a 230 square foot addition to the front of the house and a new 56 square foot covered front porch….” Two modifications requested;
3855 Calle Cita, undeveloped lot, “The proposed project involves a new 2,348- square-foot, two-story residence with a 432-square-foot garage on a lot with an existing creek/ drainage area. One coast live oak tree and one olive tree would be removed. Five new replacement coast live oak trees would be planted. The project includes the restoration of the creek area.” …front and interior setback modifications requested.
209 Barranca Ave., “The 5,694 square-foot lot is currently developed with a 773 net square foot single story residence with a 105 square foot covered porch and a 197 net square foot detached one-car garage. The project addresses violations in enforcement case no. ENF2022-00457 for unpermitted work. The project includes additions to the existing 733 net square foot one-story house….” For SHO: front setback modification.

Architectural drawings, staff reports, public comments: link.

Golf Advisory Committee, regular meeting, 6 P.M., listed in the City Schedule, but no agenda posted, as of Sunday night.

THURSDAY, 6/15

Planning Commission, 1 P.M., City Council Chambers, hyflex, Agenda: 335 S. Milpas, link. “As currently designed, the project would require the following discretionary applications at a future time:

From the Planning Commission: A. Building Height Findings on a request for an exception to the building height limit of 45 feet to allow the building to be constructed at a maximum height of approximately 51 feet 10 inches (Santa Barbara Municipal Code (SBMC) §28.66.050); and B. A Coastal Development Permit to allow the proposed development in the Non-Appealable Jurisdiction of the City’s Coastal Zone (SBMC §28.44.060). Planning Commission Agenda June 15, 2023 Page 4 of 4
From the Community Development Director: C. A Density Bonus Application for State Density Bonus units (California Government Code Sections 65915 – 65918).
From the Design Review Board: D. Architectural Board of Review Project Design and Final Approvals (SBMC Chapter 22.68).

The project is being presented to the Planning Commission at the request of the applicant for concept review and comments only. No decisions will be made at this meeting.”

Architectural drawings, Staff report, link.

Harbor Commission, 6:30 P.M., Council Chambers, hyflex, Agenda:

New Business agenda items:

#3City of Santa Barbara Emergency Response Plan And Emergency Operation Center Presentation;
#4. Recommendation: That Harbor Commission receive a presentation from staff on the Santa Barbara Cruise Ship Program and the past year’s efforts of the Cruise Ship Subcommittee. Discuss proposed improvements to the program and provide recommendations to staff for the Cruise Ship Program going forward. Discuss and take action as necessary;
# 5 That Harbor Commission receive an update from staff on efforts with the Business Activity Permit, specifically highlighting the Kayak Excursion Operator permits, including the recent efforts of the Business Activity Permit Workgroup. Discuss potential options and provide recommendations to staff.

Department Updates: Director’s Report and Facilities Management Reports, including Dredging Operations Update.

Staff reports, link.

FRIDAY, 6/16

No public meetings listed.

Of general interest:

City Advisory Commissions are listed with their duties and powers described in the Charter of the City of Santa Barbara, See: Article Vlll, Appointive Boards and Commissions, pg; 25 et seg. Other commissions may be formed by the City Council for certain issues of public concern. Santa Barbara Municipal Code. As of the beginning of 2023, the City Council meets at 2 p.m., Tuesdays, except for these holidays: January 3, January 17, February 21, March 28, April 4, May 30, June 20, July 4, July 11, August 8, August 15, September 5, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 19, and December 26, 2023. The regular Council meetings are sometimes preceded by their Finance and Ordinance committees whose agendas are part of the regular council meeting agenda; the Council also has a Legislative Committee and a Sustainability Committee, each of which meets irregularly.

AIA-Santa Barbara, August 2020, State Street Promenade and housing community survey results, more than 4,800 responses, linked here. Civic groups concerned about city government: Allied Neighborhoods Association, Citizens Planning Association, League of Women Voters-Santa Barbara, and various hyperlocal neighborhood associations.

The City of Santa Barbara says it emphasizes transparency: https://santabarbaraca.gov/government-transparency. Listed under city transparency is a link to the Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act“), “In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the public commissions, boards and councils and the other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.”