Isla Vista Master Plan
The Isla Vista Master Plan
On August 21, 2007, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors adopted
the Isla Vista Master Plan (IVMP), which rezoned 259.5 acres of land and
provided a net increase of 1,447 additional multi-family units in the South
Coast HMA. Of these, 1,415 units could be built at densities ranging from
25-45 dwelling units per acre (du/ac); consistent with the State’s
requisite density for lower-income housing in Santa Barbara County. State HCD counts 865 units towards the County RHNA allocation for 2003-2008 Housing Element. Additional rezones are needed in the County to accomodate an additional 370 units. Based on recent conversations with State HCD staff,
it is our understanding that the County Housing Element is now eligible
for certification once the additional rezones have been made.
The following timeline briefly summarizes County actions related to the Housing Element:
- March 12, 2004: County splits Housing Element into the Adoption and Action Phases and adopts the 2003-2008 Housing Element.
- May 9, 2006: Board of Supervisors Adopts Revised 2003-2008 Housing Element and Certifies the Negative Declaration applies to the revised element.
- August 2, 2006: HCD Issues conditional certification for the Revised 2003-2008 Housing Element.
- June, 2007: HCD grants extension to December 31, 2007 for County to complete Housing Element implementation, specifically the rezone requirement.
- August 21, 2007: Board of Supervisors approves IVMP and certifies the IVMP Final EIR.
- August 24, 2007: A letter requesting Housing Element final certification sent to State HCD by County.
- June 16, 2008: The California Housing and Comunity Development Department (State HCD) credited the County with units from the Isla Vista Master Plan toward regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) shortfall identified in the 2003-2008 Housing Element. State HCD directed that the 2003-2008 Housing Element be amended to include the affordable housing capacity from the Isla Vista Master Plan and complete the 2003-2008 Housing Element Rezone Program prior to July 2009.
- June 27, 2008: The County issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the 2003-2008 Housing Element Rezone Program.
- July 22, 2008: The County held a Scoping hearing on the Housing Element rezone sites in Santa Maria.
- August 27, 2008: The County held a Planning Commission hearing to consider proposed amendments to the 2003-2008 Housing Element.